Global Product Strategy ) have provided invaluable guidance and support throughout my time at BRP . Lastly , my long-time mentor Isabelle Perreault ( VP of Talent ) has provided me with strong management skills and has sharpened my fundamental knowledge and application of leadership . As a young professional , what are the biggest challenges you ’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them ? The marine industry is a largely conservative , complex , and highly fragmented industry which in turn has proven difficult to navigate at times . At certain points , it has felt like certain industry “ norms ” are so entrenched that they become insurmountable , which has been a source of frustration for me . However , I have found that taking the time to truly understand what our customers find important and how satisfied they are with current solutions provides a clear roadmap to success , no matter how disruptive an innovation can be to industry standards . How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success ? I have always focused intently on building a strong team and fostering a culture of fun , excellence , and collaboration . This , more than anything else , has allowed us to achieve our goals . I also rely heavily on my entrepreneurial background to build strong business plans and operate with a relentless sense of optimism , resilience , and passion . Who was your hero as a child ? My mother . Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry ? As I stated before , creating products and services that provide people with a gateway to the water is incredibly important . It connects us with nature , our friends and families , and gives us an important perspective on the human experience . Furthermore , the Marine industry is unique as it operates like a big family , allowing for countless opportunities for mentorship and rapid career growth . Who wouldn ’ t want to turn their passion for boating into a career ?

Sales & Customer Development , Ilmor Marine

What first drew you to the marine industry ? Five years ago , I had limited knowledge about the boating

industry outside of recreational activity . However , after interviewing with Ilmor , my interest was piqued beyond measure . What has truly cemented my decision to make the marine industry my lifelong career is the incredible individuals I ' ve encountered and the relationships that have blossomed as a result . I am continually amazed by the wonderful people I ' ve met in this industry and the collaborative spirit that seems to define everyone ' s approach to work . Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career ? Oliver ( Olly ) Ray , my hiring Manager . Olly is the head of our Customer Experience team ( sales and service ). Over time , as I kept expressing my interest in transitioning back to the engineering side , he encouraged me to explore custom marine development and sales . This nudging from him has turned out to be one of the most rewarding career decisions I have made thus far . How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry ? As the Technical Training Lead at Ilmor , I was entrusted with the task of overseeing all remote and in-house training for

2 0 2 4 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 W I N N E R

Staying on top of the rising tide of customer and dealer expectations can be diicult , which is why we at Ilmor are so proud of Walter Honeycutt .

W A LT E R H O N E C U T T Sales & Customer Development

Congratulations to Walter and all of this year ’ s 40 Under 40 honorees for raising the bar and rocking the boat in the best way possible .

JOIN OUR WINNING TEAM AT ILMOR . COM

www . boatingindustry . com march 2024

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