release them to production in less than six months. Being on a team that can operate at that level of efficiency and speed has been refreshing, challenging and motivating. I am excited and proud to begin and continue this new legacy of boat building. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? Terry McNew has had a big influence on me over the last year. Terry has left a lasting impact on me by showing me that it doesn’ t matter where you begin your journey. Through Terry, I have learned that your attitude towards others and when facing large challenges is what makes someone successful or not. 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 of being a young professional in the marine industry is overcoming the bias on age. Most people are shocked when they find out how old I am. For some people, it is hard to trust someone that is my age and in my position. Establishing trust with others, especially in other departments in the boat building world, requires near flawless work that is produced repetitively by the engineering team. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? I want to show others that if you apply yourself and are passionate about the marine industry, any challenge can be overcome and good solutions to engineering problems can always be found. One day I hope to be an example for others for how hard work and discipline, when applied in the right areas, makes a huge difference in the quality of the boats that can be designed and produced. What boat did you learn to boat on? I learned to boat on a friend’ s 2005 Contender 23 Tournament. Every time we’ d go fishing, I would drive the boat as much as possible. Where is your favorite place to go boating? Boating around the west coast of Florida is where I spend most of my time on the water. The inshore and offshore fishing off the west coast of Florida is very fun, and calling this place“ home” makes it my favorite place to boat. Who was your hero as a child? My hero as a child was my dad. He immigrated from Greece when he was 17 years old without knowing any English. He learned English quickly by watching old Clint Eastwood western shows, then proceeded to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Michigan. As the hardest worker I know, he always inspired me at a young age to have unmatched discipline and determination. He is a perfect example of how important never giving up really makes a difference. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? In my spare time, I love to stay active by working out in the gym and playing pickleball. I also like to skeet and target shoot, go to church and do some personal design work. Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? There are so many ways for young professionals to contribute to the marine industry. For young engineers, the marine industry could mean taking conceptual designs and making them reality while figuring out solutions to all engineering problems. A career in the marine industry could also mean leaving a lasting impact on the industry by improving mechanical, structural and design avenues while making the boating experience for the consumer safer, more fun and easier.
RICHARD LYNCH
VICE PRESIDENT, CANANDAIGUA BOATWORKS
What first drew you to the marine industry? Growing up, my family would rent boats on our vacations, and it was always the highlight of every trip. Those experiences created a strong connection to being on the water and the memories boating can create. Later, a family member introduced me to an opportunity in the marine industry, and it immediately felt like the right fit. The idea of building a career around something that brings people together and creates lasting experiences – while having a lake as my“ office” – was an opportunity I couldn’ t pass up. What was your first job? My first role after college was in the oil industry, where I spent 10 years in a variety of positions spanning sales, purchasing, logistics and customer service. That experience gave me a broad skill set and a deep understanding of operations, problem-solving and client relationships. The knowledge and tools I developed there translated directly to my work at the marina, allowing me to effectively manage both customer needs and day-to-day operations while keeping the business running smoothly.
What accomplishments are you most proud of? The accomplishment I’ m most proud of is leading the team at Canandaigua Boatworks. It’ s incredibly rewarding to watch team members grow individually and collectively, fostering a culture that delivers exceptional customer service. Seeing our customers enjoy the boating lifestyle – the same passion that drew me to this industry – makes the work meaningful. Being able to guide the organization while ensuring both team development and customer satisfaction is an achievement I value deeply. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I’ ve been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career, including bosses, peers and industry connections. What they all shared was the guidance to challenge the status quo. Sticking to“ the way things have always been done” can lead to complacency and missed opportunities. Their influence taught me to question processes, seek improvement and continually grow – both professionally and personally. This mindset has been invaluable in shaping how I lead teams, approach challenges and drive progress in my work at the marina. 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 I’ ve faced is bridging the gap between generations in the marine industry. The older generation brings decades of invaluable experience, while younger professionals often have less“ tribal knowledge” but are more open to innovation and technology. The challenge is finding the balance – honoring the successes and expertise of those who came before while introducing new ideas and improvements.
www. boatingindustry. com march 2026
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