Andrea Williams
Senior Director of Finance , Patrick Industries , Inc .
What first drew you to the marine industry ? I got lucky to start my career in the marine industry . I moved to Knoxville , Tenn . ( with my now husband ) after college in search of a change of scenery and a career . As I was job searching online , an opening came up for a position in finance at a boat / engine manufacturer . I applied online and called the HR contact the next morning to sell her on why I was right for the job . I worked for that manufacturer for several years and it was a great foundation for my career and solidified my desire and commitment to stay in the marine industry . What was your first job ? A local business in my hometown that was a combination movie rental / tanning salon . What accomplishment are you most proud of ? Professionally , I ’ m the proudest of Patrick ’ s marine portfolio and my role in bringing it to reality . We ’ ve done a significant number of acquisitions , and helping execute those deals and building a framework to support and manage the business has been very rewarding . Marine is almost 30 % of our business now and over $ 1 billion in revenue . Personally , I am proudest of my husband and I raising two vivacious and independent daughters ! As a young professional , what are the biggest challenges you ’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them ? One of the biggest challenges as a young professional can be gaining buy-in and momentum on new ideas . Learning to take the time to build relationships and trust is essential . Focusing on understanding and appreciating numerous viewpoints and processes is key to drive ideas forward and embed collaboration to motivate change . Be willing to dive into new areas to boost your understanding . This increases experiences and makes it easier to deliver tough messages and convey the logic driving it . How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success ? I make a lot of lists , take a lot of notes , and sketch out ideas throughout each day . On Fridays , I make time for myself to think through all of those notes and find themes and assess priority to align my focus through goals . This ongoing list is fluid and allows me to consider the best approach to maximize time and value . Who was your hero as a child ? My family was the biggest influence on me as a child . My dad was in the Marine Corps and influenced me to be dedicated , bold and dynamic . My mom motivated me to be thoughtful , sincere and fair . My brother made me competitive . My cousins made me tough … and clever !
Curt Wilson
Design & Innovation Director , Marine Group & Advanced Concepts , BRP Inc .
What first drew you to the marine industry ? Growing up , I was always surrounded by water . I lived near the Maumee River that feeds into Lake Erie and had access to many waterways through family and friends . I remember as a kid making the decision to either play T-ball or spend my summer boating and fishing at my grandparents ’ cottage in Coldwater , Mich . The decision was easy for me , and I ’ m still terrible at baseball . It was these great memories fishing from the dock and spending time at the lake that has always drawn me to the water and the marine industry . What was your first job ? The first job that was consistent started when I was about 10 years old ; I was mowing my elderly neighbor ’ s lawn . After I started my university degree in transportation design , my first job as a designer was designing footwear for Adidas .
What accomplishment are you most proud of ? While I am proud of my very talented teams and my career accomplishments , my biggest accomplishment is my family . I travel fairly often for work , and it ’ s always great coming home spending time with them . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? I ’ ve been influenced by many people throughout my career and am surrounded by a diverse array of creative and passionate people that constantly motivate me ; however , I can say that the example set by my dad has always been an inspiration to me . He always has always worked very hard but makes sure that he spends quality time with the family , helps others when they need a hand , and treats every person equally . Who was your hero as a child ? This again was my dad . From electrical , mechanical , and carpentry skills to treating people with respect , he taught me so much growing up ; and I felt like he could do anything . He may not realize it , but he continues to teach me today . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? There ’ s something very special about the emotion that being on or around water brings to people . Whether it ’ s sharing time with friends and family or fishing quietly by yourself , the water always tends to bring people stories to reminisce around . Being part of the marine industry allows you to help others create these lasting memories .
38 march 2023 www . boatingindustry . com