of trust, ownership and accountability. The best mentors I’ ve had weren’ t just strong performers, they were intentional about developing others and helping people recognize their potential. That approach shaped how I try to lead today by investing in the growth and success of the people around me. 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 in manufacturing is aligning teams that approach problems from different perspectives. In the marine industry, where craftsmanship, engineering and production all intersect, that alignment is critical. I’ ve learned that solving these challenges starts with making work visible, improving communication and building systems that help teams move toward the same goals. When people understand how their work connects to the bigger picture, collaboration improves and performance follows. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? I hope my story shows that there are many paths to building a meaningful career in the marine industry. I didn’ t come from a traditional academic route; I started by building boats and learning the craft firsthand. That experience gave me a deep respect for the skill and pride that goes into every boat we build. Over time, I’ ve been fortunate to grow into leadership roles where I focus on improving systems and developing people. The marine industry needs both craftsmanship and innovation, and there are incredible opportunities for people who want to build with their hands, their minds, or both. Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? The marine industry offers a unique combination of craftsmanship, innovation and purpose. Few industries allow you to see the direct impact of your work in such a tangible way. Every boat represents the skill, teamwork and pride of the people who built it.
At Tiara Yachts, I’ ve seen firsthand how much dedication and expertise go into creating a world-class product. For young professionals, it’ s an industry where you can build a meaningful career, develop valuable skills and take pride in creating something exceptional that people will enjoy for generations.
MANNY PARDO
REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER, BASS PRO SHOPS BOATING CENTER
What first drew you to the marine industry? I was drawn to the marine industry through a combination of passion and purpose. Growing up on the water instilled in me a deep love for boating and the outdoors. After college, I knew I wanted to build a career with Bass Pro Shops because of its strong culture and commitment to the outdoor lifestyle. As fate would have it, I found my path in the boating industry. After working my first boat show, a mentor helped me see that this wasn ' t just a job, but a career I could grow in, impact lives through and likely never want to retire from.
What was your first job? My first job was as a volunteer at 13, helping on the weekends at the hospital my father worked at. I worked as a patient transporter, moving patients between rooms and to X-ray, which taught me responsibility and compassion at a young age. My first paying job came at 17, selling men ' s suits at Saks 5th Avenue, I wore a suit to the mall every day. My first role in the marine industry was as a boat salesman at Bass Pro Shops in Miami, Florida. What accomplishments are you most proud of? I ' m most proud of the people I ' ve been able to impact. Helping families get on the water and create lasting memories is incredibly meaningful to me. Professionally, opening a new location and building a brandnew team, many of whom came from outside the boating industry, was a major accomplishment. Watching that team come together, grow and continue to succeed in their careers has been just as rewarding as any sales milestone. Whether it ' s getting customers on the water or employees in the industry, I ' m most proud of the lives and careers that have grown along the way. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I ' ve been fortunate to have had many mentors and influences throughout my career who have opened doors and helped guide my growth. I draw consistent inspiration from our founder, Johnny Morris, whose vision and passion for the outdoors continue to set the standard. On a personal level, leaders like Pat Shaughnessy, Jaysen Baker, Jim DeGroat and Chris Vaden have been instrumental in my development. Their leadership, example and willingness to invest in me have shaped my career and pushed me to continually raise my standards. 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 as a young professional in the marine industry is adapting to how quickly customer behavior has changed. Traditional ways of reaching buyers are no longer enough. Attention has shifted online to social media and to countless platforms. I ' ve worked to overcome this by embracing new technology, leveraging digital tools, studying trends and focusing on data driven decision making. At the same time, I ' ve stayed grounded in the fundamentals: strong relationships, world class customer service and delivering value. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? I hope to inspire others by showing them that the marine industry isn ' t just a job – it ' s a real, lasting career with endless opportunities. Whether someone loves accounting, marketing, operations, finance or sales, there ' s a place to combine that skill set with a passion for boating and the outdoors. Growing up, you don ' t always think about working in the marine world, but once you do step into it, you realize how dynamic and rewarding it can be. If I can help others see that they can build a meaningful career here, and truly enjoy coming to work, then I ' ve made an impact.
26 march 2026 www. boatingindustry. com