the marine industry was with Regal as the Internal Sales Coordinator for North America. That position gave me a foundational understanding of the business and is where I started so many of the dealer and industry relationships that have helped me get to where I am today. What accomplishments are you most proud of? While maintaining and growing my sales region, I have developed a network of some of the best dealers in the world as well as lifetime friendships within. While continuing to grow and strengthen my sales region, I’ m most proud of the relationships I’ ve built along the way. I’ ve had the opportunity to develop a network of some of the best dealers in the world. My partnerships are built on trust, performance and shared goals. Beyond business success, many of those partnerships have grown into lifelong friendships. That balance of results and relationships is what I value most. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? Duane Kuck, the Regal leadership team, and many of our Regal dealers have had a profound influence on my career. After three years as a Sales Coordinator, Regal took a chance on me and promoted me internally to Regional Sales Manager. This was a pivotal moment in my professional journey.
I later learned that several dealer partners had personally reached out to Duane to recommend me for the role. That level of trust and advocacy meant a great deal. Their belief in me, along with the guidance from Duane and the leadership team here at Regal, helped shape me into the representative and leader I am today. 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 relationship-driven and built on decades of experience. It’ s also a very small industry where everyone comes to know everyone. Earning credibility as a young professional in a space filled with seasoned veterans was one of my biggest early challenges. I quickly learned that credibility isn’ t claimed; it’ s earned. Building trust within our dealer network and customer base takes time, consistency and results. Most importantly, I focused on listening more than I spoke. By learning from the experience around me and delivering on my commitments, I was able to steadily build the confidence and relationships that are essential in this industry. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? Many young adults don’ t immediately consider the marine industry as a long-term career path while they’ re in school. I hope my journey, starting with a passion for water and turning it into a profession, helps broaden that perspective.
There are incredibly rewarding careers in this industry, and it’ s one that shouldn’ t be overlooked. It’ s possible to build a meaningful, successful career while staying connected to what you genuinely love. If my story encourages even a few young professionals to explore that path, I’ ll consider that a success. How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? As a Regional Sales Manager, growth is always the goal. To achieve it, I focus on each account individually, understanding its unique opportunities and challenges. While regions may fluctuate, consistently prioritizing and growing each account sets the foundation for long-term success. By breaking larger goals into actionable steps and maintaining that focus, you create momentum that drives both individual and regional results. What boat did you learn to boat on? I learned on an old Jon boat with a Johnson tiller ― the stuff of every young boater’ s dreams! Man, that boat caught a lot of fish … Where is your favorite place to go boating? Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest, Florida. It’ s a crystal-clear spring connected to the St. Johns River, offering Bahama-like waters in a freshwater setting. Who was your hero as a child? My father. He not only inspired me through his example, but he also instilled in me a lifelong passion for the outdoors. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? I enjoy hunting, camping, and golfing, and I still try to get out on the soccer field as much as my aging body will allow! Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? The marine industry isn’ t just fun and rewarding ― it can also be very lucrative. Many young professionals don’ t realize that. When you see industry professionals driving big trucks towing boats, it’ s easy to overlook the value of the careers behind them. For those with a passion for the water, the marine industry offers the chance to build a meaningful, exciting and well-compensated career.
KYLE VAN DAMME
PRESIDENT / CEO, MARINE TOPS UNLIMITED
What first drew you to the marine industry? I grew up boating with my parents from the time I left the hospital, and my dad started this business with his father in the early 80s, so I grew up in the marine industry and always had a love for anything boating and being on the water.
What was your first job? I first started working for our company when I was in middle school during my summer breaks. I think I was about 12 or 13 when I started cutting grass, taking out the trash, sweeping and cleaning around the shop. Every summer I gradually started doing more and worked my way up to an ownership role over the last decade. What accomplishments are you most proud of? I think the accomplishment I am most proud of is building our company into a regional destination for boaters when it comes to the products and services we offer. That includes planning and building a new facility in 2019, adding to our awesome staff here at Marine Tops and continuing to push the envelope on quality and design for our customer products we build and the customer service that goes along with them.
36 march 2026 www. boatingindustry. com