While Joe Lewis may own and operate a small , single-location dealership and waterfront marina in picturesque Mount Dora , FL 25 miles northwest of Orlando , his footprint and influence is felt far and wide throughout the North American marine industry .

Lewis has devoted the past 35 years not only building a profitable retail operation which has earned prior Boating Industry Top 100 ranking from 2005 – 2011 , along with mastering dealer certification status in the inaugural pilot program and eventually being named a 2021 MICD “ Great Dealerships to Work For ,” but has also carved out

By Wanda Kenton Smith time to actively support a variety of industry initiatives .

His leadership roles over the past three decades range the full gamut , from serving four stints as president of the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida , to currently serving as vice chair and executive committee member of the MRAA ; and vice chair , audit committee chair and executive committee member of the RBFF ’ s Take Me Fishing campaign . He is president of the boating safety non-profit Drive Dry board of directors and is the alternate representative of the Sportfish Boating & Fishing Advisory Council .

Previously , he served as president of the Marine Industry Association of Florida ; director and chairman of the NMMA ’ s Grow Boating / Discover Boating campaign ; regional director and chair of the MRAA ; and marine industry representative appointed to the State of Florida ’ s Governor ’ s Boating Advisory Council .

Lewis has also contributed to his local community . He ’ s currently chairman of the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce , having previously held board and treasurer roles . Lake County presented him with its Community Service Award and along with the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce , has named his dealership “ Business of the Year ” in 2010 and 2015 , respectively . The Leesburg Daily Commercial newspaper also bestowed top business honors in 2016 .

On the marine front , Lewis has earned a variety of prestigious leadership awards from the Marine Industry Association of Florida and Marine Industry Association of South Florida ; the MRAA ; the NMMA ; Boat PAC ; and the Sea Tow Foundation .

Boating Industry spoke with Lewis about his boating career and industry contributions , top issues facing the industry , family ownership challenges and tips for navigating a rewarding industry career .

Ahoy Captian Jack Sparrow ! Halloween fun with wife and grandson Conner .

Boating Industry ( BI ): What ’ s your boating story ? Joe Lewis ( JL ): In my late twenties , I was living in Pennsylvania and was an active snowmobiler , participating in a lot of winter sports activities , but was bored in the summer . I worked in the outdoor power equipment business and had met Noel Osborne of Osborne Marine , and he suggested I consider boating . I bought my first boat , a new 1982 Wellcraft 23 ’ Nova , and spent every weekend boating . I suffered from two-foot-itis , moving up to a 26 Nova III and then to a 34 ’ Scarab . My addiction was so bad that I thought owning a marina was the ticket . I was searching initially for a marina up north or

28 october 2024 www . boatingindustry . com