success. The marine industry offers incredible opportunities for those willing to take initiative, stay curious and continuously raise the bar. I also mentor youth in the Fort Lauderdale community, helping them with resumes, interview preparation and securing internships in the marine industry. How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? I set clear, measurable goals and then build structured action plans to support them. I’ m a strong believer in proactive communication, disciplined follow-through and regular self-evaluation. Success in this industry is rarely accidental; it’ s the result of consistent execution and attention to detail. What boat did you learn to boat on? I learned to boat on my family’ s Hatteras and Viking sportfish boats, which gave me early hands-on exposure to both technical operations and the lifestyle that surrounds boating. Learning things like winterizing a boat or adding anti-freeze to the engines gave me practical knowledge that helps me speak credibly with clients and assist them when troubleshooting issues on their yachts. Where is your favorite place to go boating? South Florida and the Bahamas remain my favorite destinations. The combination of clear water, a strong boating community and year-round access makes it an unmatched experience and a place where you can truly pause and enjoy life. Who was your hero as a child? My stepfather, Robert Schmitter, has always been my hero. After I lost both of my parents at a young age, he stepped into my life with quiet strength, compassion and unwavering support. He showed me what true family looks like: kindness, patience and being there when it matters most. His passion for life and remarkable work ethic shaped the way I approach my own path and deepened my appreciation for the marine lifestyle I love today. Robert didn’ t just fill a role; he changed the course of my life. I will always be grateful that the world brought him into mine. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Outside of boating, I enjoy staying active: golfing, sunrise hikes with my German Shepherd, and yoga. I’ m also an avid foodie and a music enthusiast; Bob Dylan is always in the rotation. Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? The marine industry offers a rare combination of lifestyle, incredible travel opportunities and a relationship-driven business environment. For young professionals who are proactive and solutions-oriented, there is tremendous opportunity to grow quickly and make a meaningful impact. Ultimately, the real reward comes from taking clients out on the water and seeing them experience the freedom and peace that boating provides. Watching your clients genuinely enjoy those happy moments is immeasurable.
RICHARD COOK
DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER III / NAVAL ARCHITECT, CHRIS-CRAFT BOATS
What first drew you to the marine industry? I grew up on the water, spending weekends on the boat with my family and making annual trips to the Florida Keys. In high school, I pursued marine mechanics, which led me to earn a degree in Ocean Engineering. That path brought me to Chris-Craft, where I now combine a lifelong passion with engineering to help shape the boating experience and contribute to the future of the marine industry. What was your first job? My first job allowed me to apply my Ocean Engineering degree in a real-world marine manufacturing environment, which broadened my understanding of how boats are designed and built. It helped fine-tune my passion for vessel design and reinforced my goal of working at an OEM like Chris-Craft. Seeing the full product development cycle firsthand shaped how I approach engineering today.
What accomplishments are you most proud of? I’ m most proud of leading several major technology integration projects that have helped advance Chris-Craft’ s innovation and product design. Serving as lead engineer, I’ ve worked at the intersection of new technology, user experience and regulatory compliance to bring forward-thinking features into production while ensuring they meet NMMA, ABYC and CE standards. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I’ ve been fortunate to learn from senior engineers and designers who emphasized technical rigor, clear communication and ethical engineering. Ron Berman, in particular, pushed me to consistently raise the standard of my work and think critically about both engineering and the broader industry. He and others helped me build meaningful connections across the marine community. As a young professional, what are the biggest challenges you’ ve faced in the marine industry and how did you overcome them? One challenge has been balancing innovation with regulatory and production realities while working in an industry where change can be slow to adopt. Early in my career, I learned that new ideas are often met with hesitation, even when innovation is encouraged. I overcame this by building strong relationships across engineering, design and certification teams, and by integrating new concepts early in the development process. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? I hope to inspire others by showing that engineering excellence, curiosity and collaboration can drive both innovation and safety. Sharing knowledge and mentoring younger engineers is important to me, and I also enjoy introducing people outside the industry to the opportunities it offers. How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? I set measurable technical and professional goals, prioritize continuous learning and actively seek feedback from peers and leadership. I believe you are always learning and improving, so I regularly reflect on past projects to identify ways to refine my approach. Staying disciplined, organized, and proactive helps ensure consistent progress and allows me to take on increasingly complex challenges.
www. boatingindustry. com march 2026
13