// PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP
BI: With your heavy workload and travel schedule, what’ s your trick to maintaining a healthy life balance? BY: I’ m blessed to have a tremendous amount of energy which helps a lot. I’ m a relatively quick decision-maker, so I don’ t spend much time swirling regarding a decision. I’ ve been told that I don’ t have a rear-view mirror and don’ t spend much time looking back. And finally, and probably most important, I try not to spend time worrying about things I can’ t control.
I also try to exercise every day – I walk or jog, lift weights in the gym or go to yoga or Pilates. I try to mix it up. I ran a marathon a couple years ago – preparing for that and running it was a bucket list experience.
BI: What do you believe are the biggest challenges today facing the recreational marine industry – both short and long-term? BY: Short term – declining market, affordability. Long term – workforce, declining market, affordability, aging buyers.
Yeargin ' s granddaughter, Rosie, brings a smile and extra joy to his life!
BI: How important is it for marine industry leaders to become educated and engaged in state and national legislative issues and where should they start? BY: It’ s very important. They should start by attending the American Boating Congress in May.
BI: You’ ve served an extended term as NMMA Chairman for more than 2.5 years. From your experience and perspective, is the industry in good hands? BY: I believe we have an excellent board looking out for our industry. Frank Hugelmeyer and his team are outstanding. We will continue to have challenges, but we have great folks leading us.
BI: Finally, let’ s talk about what’ s ahead for you outside of the workplace. Any plans for personal pursuits? BY: I’ ve been all over the world, so I’ m not going to say the typical answer which is travel. I’ d like to help both my church and the little community in which I live. I’ m also really excited about a new series of children’ s books based on Pixie the Polar Bear, a fictional character I created for my granddaughter Rosie. Pixie has some amazing adventures!
BI: Speaking of books, you’ ve written and published six leadership books, including two bestsellers. What’ s your favorite? And besides the new children’ s series, anything else on tap? BY: I’ d probably say“ Faith Leap,” which explains why I’ m a Christian. I’ m working on another book on mindset, with the working title“ The CEO Secret.”
Waylon and Georgie are top dogs in the Yeargin home.
BI: Other than your own, what top three business books do you recommend? BY: I love learning and read a wide range of content. Between my Kindle and Audible apps, I read 75-100 books a year. Audible is a huge help because I can listen while driving, exercising or walking through an airport.
Wow – limiting recommendations to three is really hard. I’ d say,“ 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,”“ 5 Dysfunctions of a Team,” and“ Who Not How.” But I could recommend a lot more!
28 september / october 2025 www. boatingindustry. com