Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? My career is where it is today because of Anthony Aisquith and Scott Cunningham Sr. I have worked hard to prove myself over the 20 + years with them. They are great mentors, professionally and personally. I can’ t thank them enough for believing in me. I have had many other influences over the years, too many to name them all, but every single one of them is in my heart and appreciated more than they know! 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 is probably being a woman in a maledominated industry. As a woman, the corporate ladder can be significantly challenging to climb. I have been extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by amazing people throughout my career who have been willing to teach, guide and support me. I have gained many relationships and friendships with people inside our company, as well as many of our manufacturers. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? My hope is to lead by example. Always willing to do whatever is needed, wherever it is needed. I hope the team around me sees that and understands that together, we can achieve almost anything. I want to always stay humble and demonstrate my true passion for what I do. How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? I try to set many small goals that will turn into a big goal. Taking things one step at a time and being determined to meet those goals. Prioritizing, deadlines and not procrastinating is how I have set myself up for success. I have always been a very data-driven person. Where is your favorite place to go boating? Definitely in the Florida Panhandle! Yes, I am a born and raised Georgia girl, but I do love the beach and ocean! Who was your hero as a child? My parents of course! I was raised by hard working, loving, compassionate parents. My mom is my biggest fan, my rock and my best friend. She would do anything for anyone, and I try to approach life in the same way. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Pretty much anything that revolves around my kids and family( are trampoline parks a hobby?). I do enjoy crafting Wreaths. I hope to one day have a small side business to sell them. Why should young professionals choose a career in the marine industry? There is never a dull moment in the marine industry! It is a small industry with a wide variety of options and opportunities. There is a growing need for more people in this industry. You don’ t have to have any boating experience to start your career in the marine industry. It is something you can learn! I hope to one day have my kids learn more about the industry and they may be able to make a career of it like I have!
KEVIN BASIRICO
OWNER AND PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING, BARKER BOATWORKS
What first drew you to the marine industry? Growing up on Hilton Head Island, SC, I’ ve always had a deep connection to the water. I studied Environmental Science and Wildlife & Fisheries Biology in college and obtained my USCG Master Captain’ s License after graduating from Clemson. Boat building was always something that interested me.
What was your first job? My first job in high school was as a dockhand and kayak guide. My first job in marine manufacturing was as a laminator. What accomplishments are you most proud of? I am most proud of helping build an amazing team of world-class boat builders and a reputation for being a company that puts the client first and backs its product unlike any other brand in the industry.
As a factory-direct manufacturer, I’ m also proud that the majority of our current customer base is made up of repeat customers. I think that says a lot not only about the product we build, but also about the way we put the customer first and stand behind everything we do. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I’ ve been fortunate to have many mentors and influences throughout my career. Brit Barker encouraged me to pursue a career doing something I truly loved. Lisa Ringelstetter and Kenny Winterhalter taught me to trust my gut ― that people senior to you don’ t always have the right answers and sometimes you have to manage up. And lastly, industry veteran Earl Blackwell gave me a crash course in marine manufacturing. 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 was being put in a position in my mid-20s to manage and lead people who were more than twice my age and had a lifetime more experience than me. I leaned heavily on what I learned growing up watching my dad. He was the definition of a leader and had a special way of connecting with people from diverse backgrounds while holding them to a high standard and putting them in a position to succeed. How do you hope to inspire others in the marine industry? I hope to inspire others in the industry by showing the importance of not taking shortcuts, doing things the right way, owning your mistakes and always following through on your word. How do you set goals for yourself and set yourself up for success? In my world, I believe success starts with listening to industry and customer feedback. From there, it’ s about having a clear vision and surrounding yourself with great people. It’ s about putting in the work, staying disciplined and being willing to adapt when challenges arise. I try to focus on constant improvement, whether that’ s refining a process, building a better product or finding ways to better serve our customers.
www. boatingindustry. com march 2026
9