the overall effort for safety and environmental awareness , starting with engaging the younger boating generation by equipping them with the right training and knowledge .
“ Boating safety and environmental awareness are closely linked in this industry ,” notes Zachary . “ We take measures to protect ourselves and enjoy a better future , so it only makes sense to also care for the environment that makes our enjoyment possible . Since we can never predict when an accident or environmental disaster might occur , it ' s crucial for us as an industry to proactively prevent such issues . By doing so , we enhance both our own experiences and the world we live in .”
Zachary uses his youth to encourage the younger generation to take better care of the environment and protect each other with safety measures .
“ As a young professional myself , I collaborate with younger generations to offer training and insight on safety and environmental issues ,” he says . “ Additionally , I serve as an advisor for the maritime program at my local trade school . We have the power to make a difference , and it starts with our future . Educating newcomers to the trade will ultimately benefit us all .”
Working with the local trade school Zachary graduated from is one step he ’ s currently taking to help continue to enhance boating safety in the marine industry .
Looking toward the future , Zachary hopes to live in a world where boating safety is top priority . “ One where life jackets are always worn without reminders , where incidents on the water are a thing of the past and where everyone leaves the dock and returns home safely in the same condition . It may seem ambitious , but that ’ s why we set goals : to strive for a better future ,” he says .
BUILDING A BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP
ESTEPHANIE HERRERA President , EH2O Marine Business Solutions
Boating Industry ’ s Movers & Shakers Awards program honors leaders who are not afraid to take risks , innovate and tackle the challenges currently facing the marine industry . Working from the bottom up starting at age 18 , Estephanie Herrera exhibits all these characteristics and more .
“ My journey into the boating industry wasn ’ t driven by a childhood passion ,” says Estephanie .
“ Growing up in Puerto Rico , my experiences with boating were very humble ; a makeshift boat which was more about fun than any real boating .”
Estephanie explains that her real introduction into the marine industry happened when looking for a part-time job as a college student . “ I came across a newspaper ad for a part-time receptionist position just two miles from my college . It was how I supported myself through school , working shifts between classes . Twenty years later , that ’ s how I found myself in the boating world .”
Today , Estephanie is a leader of EH2O Marine Business Solutions and continues to grow . She started this company with a goal to help guide boat dealers and their employees on how to successfully close deals in a way that benefits not only the dealer , but ultimately leaves the customer with the best possible experience .
“ Through my years in the industry and networking with different dealerships , I noticed a gap that I could fill : helping dealers boost their closing operations by using proven best practices ,” explains Estephanie . “ Having worked in business office operations for over 15 years now , I apply the same techniques that led to my success .”
Her approach begins with a comprehensive one-to-two day visit to the dealership to assess the current practices . After the assessment , she then creates a detailed weekly coaching plan that identifies priority areas for improvement . “ We then tackle these areas through personalized one-onone sessions , which can be performed via Zoom or in person ,” she says .
Starting your own business is no easy feat . Estephanie notes that she had to overcome two large challenges when creating EH2O : the first is starting a consulting business from scratch , which comes with its own difficulties . The second is being a woman in a male dominated field .
“ Working in an industry dominated by caucasian males , I have certainly faced challenges such as pay disparity , racism , male chauvinism and sexism ,” she says . “ Overcoming these challenges has required resilience and strategic thinking . I make it a point to assess situations carefully , adapt as needed and always have multiple plans in place .”
Just within the last year , Estephanie has obtained her USCG Captain ’ s license . While she doesn ’ t plan on running charters , her goal is to encourage and empower more women to feel confident on the water . She ’ s also on the path to becoming a certified instructor through the National Boating Safety Council .
Estephanie Herrera
“ Professionally , I ’ m collaborating with other like-minded leaders on initiatives meant at improving the overall operations of the Business Office and the sales teams , especially in closing deals ,” mentions Estephanie . “ Another focus of mine is joining the American Vessel Documentation Association ( AVDA ) to assist boat dealerships with their USCG documentation needs , which help facilitate the ongoing expansion of EH2O to be a complete resource partner for marine dealers .”
DRIVING SUCCESS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
KIM KODITEK Head of Brand Strategy & Communications , Boatsetter
Since joining the marine industry in 2016 , Kim Koditek has played an active role in driving the success and brand evolutions of multiple companies across the industry — from Boats Group to the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Discover Boating to most recently , Boatsetter .
As Head of Brand Strategy & Communications , Kim helps grow category awareness for new consumers and first-time boat buyers to have their first introductions with recreational boating and on-the-water experiences . Going from an entry level employee to now a team leader , Kim has taken everything she ’ s learned from previous
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