The 1+1 mentoring program connects people at the start of their marine careers with industry leaders for 40-minute, virtual one-on-one conversations to share insights, expand knowledge, and to foster personal development and community. All genders are welcome.
If you are a leader in your organization, we encourage you to share this information with people who are new to your organization or with your human resources department. People within the first ten years of their careers are welcome to participate.
On this page you will find information about the extraordinary marine industry leaders who have donated their time to this program and their availability. Beginning May 15th at 9am EST, participants may register and request meetings with the leaders of their choice. You will receive an email confirmation confirming your registration. After the registration period ends (May 31, 2024), participants will receive a meeting request directly from the leader with whom they are meeting. All meetings are first come, first served, and participants may not solicit the leaders. Mentor – Mentee virtual sessions will happen between June 13th to June 23rd, 2024.
On Thursday, June 13th, 2024, Soundings Trade Only’s 3rd annual 1+1 Mentoring Program will begin. To kick off the program, Soundings Trade Only will host a free, virtual event featuring speaker Lauren Jones, the founder, and CEO of Brand by Boudica. She is an Accredited Brand Architect, Strategist and Specialist, MA, and BA (Hons), NLP Practitioner. Lauren has designed everything from retail interiors to global brand activations, Bespoke furniture to award-winning digital customer experiences, and now helps impact-focused leaders and founders grow their organizations using the power of brand, storytelling, and design. Her agency has unearthed hundreds of brands across the globe and helped leaders meaningfully show up and stand out. All genders welcome. Meeting Registration – Zoom
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
List of leaders:
Áine Denari, Executive Vice President and President, Brunswick Boat Group
Áine Denari serves as Executive Vice President and President of the Brunswick Boat Group, a position she has held since 2020.
In her current position, Ms. Denari has responsibility for all aspects of the largest global boat portfolio in the recreational marine industry, which consists of 18 brands, 650 boat models, 14 manufacturing facilities, 7,000 employees, and distributes via 1,300 dealers and distributors. Áine is based at Brunswick’s global HQ in Mettawa, Illinois, USA.
Additionally, Áine currently serves on the Board of Directors of Masco Corporation, a global manufacturer of products for the home improvement and new home construction markets; As well as on the Technical Advisory Committee of Gentherm, a global automotive tier-1 supplier.
Prior to joining Brunswick, Áine spent 25 years in a variety of executive positions within the automotive and industrial industries, as well as in leadership positions at major global consulting firms. From 2014 to 2020, Áine was Senior Vice President at ZF AG, a global automotive Tier 1 supplier, where she most recently led the Automated Driving / Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business. Previously, Áine worked in strategy consulting in Europe and the US with consulting firms McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company, and spent time in various engineering and strategy roles with Ford Motor Company and Ingersoll Rand.
Áine holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, completed the Stanford Executive Program, holds Advanced Engineering degrees from Purdue University and University of Detroit Mercy, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University College in Dublin, Ireland.
Days/times available: 6/14: 11:00am-11:40am, 6/17: 9:00am-9:40am, 10:00am-10:40am, 6/20: 4:00pm-4:40pm EST
Amber C. Holm
Amber Holm is Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at Winnebago Industries, where she leads communications, insights, digital customer experience, and brand marketing for a portfolio of premium outdoor recreation brands including Winnebago, Grand Design RV, Newmar, Chris-Craft, and Barletta Boats.
Amber has more than two decades of experience leading brands and businesses across a variety of growth, transformation, and turnaround challenges. Prior to joining Winnebago Industries, she served as Vice President, Brands at Newell Brands where she led the global housewares business, including Rubbermaid, Calphalon, and Ball Canning, achieving record sales growth. Previously, Amber was Vice President of Marketing at Bridgestone Americas, overseeing the Bridgestone and Firestone tire brands, and she previously held multiple roles at General Mills across numerous CPG brands including Pillsbury and Cheerios.
Active in the community, Amber serves on the board of directors of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and has previously served on the board for the Nashville Ballet and founded Bridgestone’s Women’s Initiative Network (BWIN), Bridgestone’s first employee resource group to advance women in the tire industry. She holds a BA from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Amber resides in the Twin Cities with her husband Mark and their three children.
Days/times available: 6/13: 3:00pm-3:40pm, 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/21: 10:00am-10:40am, 1:00pm-1:40pm EST
Amanda Ward, Marketing Strategist, MarineMax
Amanda Ward is a marketing professional with 15+ years’ experience focusing on creative and data-driven strategies. She began her career within the marine industry in 2008. Over the last twelve years she has served in several marketing roles at MarineMax, and currently is the Director of Marketing. In 2019, Amanda was recognized as part of Boating Industry’s 40 Under 40.
Days/times available: 6/14: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/18: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm EST
Andrew Clurman, President & CEO of Active Interest Media
Prior to starting AIM with Chairman Efrem (Skip) Zimbalist in 2003, Clurman was Senior Vice President of Time4Media, a division of Time Warner/AOL, serving as President and Publisher of Mountain Sports Media, the world’s leading winter sports media company, which included SKI, Skiing, Freeze, Skiing Trade News Magazines, Warren Miller Films & Entertainment, and Mountain Sports Press, as well as TransWorld Publications, which included Transworld Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Motocross, Surf, BMX, and Ride Magazines. Under his leadership, these two divisions grew to comprise fifteen consumer and trade magazines, an award-winning film and television production unit, and category-leading Internet, book, video/DVD publishing, and event marketing businesses.
Clurman’s career in publishing began at The Vineyard Gazette newspaper. He later joined Ziff Davis where he was a sales representative, regional sales manager, marketing director and, finally, publisher of SKI and Skiing Magazines. He is a graduate of Rutgers College and holds an MBA from the University of Colorado.
He serves as Chairman of the Board of the Independent Magazine Publishers of America, a board member of Yankee Publishing, and is a University of Colorado Leeds School of Business Mentor. Clurman lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife, Claire, and three children.
Days/times available: 6/19: 3:00-3:40pm, 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/20: 3:00pm-3:40pm, 4:00pm-4:40pm EST
Angela Pilkington, COO, Correct Craft
Angela Pilkington is the Chief Operating Officer of Correct Craft, a 98-year-old marine industry company with global operations. Correct Craft’s subsidiaries include eight boat brands, five engine brands, three watersports parks, a milling and tooling company, OEM parts production including wiring harnesses and panels, a telematics company and an entity devoted solely to innovation. The company has manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and distributes into 70 countries.
Angela has held various positions with the company for 41 years, including Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief of Staff. In her current role, she works with the operating leadership of each subsidiary to optimize and continuously improve operations.
Angela has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. She is also a Certified Management Accountant. Angela is the past recipient of the Darlene Brigg award by MRAA and Boating Industry Magazine, as well as Women Making Waves. Angela has also received her Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University.
Angela is on the Junior Achievement Central Florida Advisory Board and served on the Board of Impower, formerly The Grove Counseling Center, for six years.
Days/times available: 6/13: 1:00pm-1:40pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm, 6/14: 9:00am-9:40am, 10:00am-10:40am EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
Bill Yeargin, President/CEO, Correct Craft
Bill Yeargin is a thought leader, CEO, board member, global traveler (110 countries), innovator, and culture evangelist. He has authored six books including the best sellers, Education of a CEO and Faith Leap. Bill has shared leadership insights in innumerable articles and columns for nearly three decades and has been a popular speaker at hundreds of events on six continents.
Correct Craft, where Bill serves as CEO, is a 99-year-old company with global operations. Correct Craft’s subsidiaries include multiple boat brands, engine brands, water sports parks and entities devoted solely to vertical integration and innovation. The company has manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and distributes into about 70 countries.
Under Bill’s leadership, Correct Craft has developed a unique culture of “Making Life Better.” They have won all their industry’s major awards and were recognized as Florida’s “Manufacturer of the Year.” Correct Craft has been recognized as the boating industry’s “Most Innovative Company” and described as being “on an aggressive improvement path, the likes of which the marine industry has never seen.”
A passionate lifelong learner, Bill has earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA. He has also completed post-graduate studies at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Villanova, and MIT. Bill is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and is certified in both Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and DISC.
Nova Southeastern University awarded Bill a Doctorate of Humane Letters in recognition of his “contribution to the lives of others and the betterment of humanity.”
Bill served on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards and earned a Certificate in Corporate Governance from Cornell University. He also earned both a Certificate in Risk Governance and Qualified Risk Director® credential from the DCRO Risk Governance Institute. Bill is currently serving on multiple boards and is board Chair of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
Bill actively represents his industry on both national and state issues. He served both the Obama and Trump administrations on cabinet-level advisory councils and has been invited to the White House eight times, by three different presidents. Bill was appointed by Florida’s Governor to serve on the University of Central Florida board of trustees.
Bill has been recognized with many of the marine industry’s top awards including Boating Industry’s “Mover and Shaker of the Year.” Florida Trend magazine has recognized Bill as one of “Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders” and he is an Orlando Business Journal “CEO of the Year.” Bill was also presented the “Governor’s Business Ambassador Medal” by the Governor of Florida.
Days/times available: 6/13: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am EST
Brenna Priesser, Brunswick Executive Vice President and President, Business Acceleration
Brenna Preisser is the Executive Vice President, Strategy and President, Business Acceleration – a division of Brunswick focused on expanding marine participation through boater services and shared access models.
Ms. Preisser leads a portfolio of businesses including Freedom Boat Club – the largest boat club and subscription business in the industry, financial services, new ventures such as Boateka, a direct-to-consumer pre-owned boat business and a Marine Service business which includes a portfolio of marinas, dealerships and boater amenities in the southeast US.
In 2024, Ms. Preisser assumed responsibility for Brunswick’s Advanced Technology Lab – iJet – at the University of Illinois Research Park.
Since joining the company in 2004, Ms. Preisser has been in charge of reforming company culture and leading business transformation. She was elected Brunswick’s vice president and chief human resources officer effective March 2016 through December 2021 where she established Brunswick as a Forbes best place to work company. Ms. Preisser has been recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers as a STEP Award honoree and Boating Industry’s Women Making Waves.
Ms. Preisser has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University, a Master of Business Administration from Ashland University and a professional certificate in Executive Finance from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.
Days/times available: 6/13: 9:30am-10:10am, 10:30am-11:10am EST
Carly Hysell, Associate Director of Public Relations, Garmin
Carly Hysell joined the in-house corporate communications and public relations team at Garmin in 2007 with an emphasis on its marine markets. Today she leads Garmin’s PR efforts for its five business segments – fitness, outdoor, aviation, marine and auto – as the Associate Director of Public Relations. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in dozens of key product launches for the company that has helped strategically place Garmin as a leader in all of the markets it serves.
Days/times available: 6/14: 9:30am-10:10am, 1:30pm-2:10pm, 6/17: 10:00am-10:40am, 2:00pm-2:40pm CST
Caroline Carnahan, CEO and co-founder, Springfield Marine
Caroline Carnahan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Springfield Marine Company, located in Nixa, MO, and SCHECO manufacturing facility, located in Shanghai, China. Springfield Marine boat seats, hardware, and recreational solutions are installed in more boats than any other brand in the world, in operation since 1952. Caroline was born and raised in Taiwan. As a master of three languages: English, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese, and successful entrepreneur, Caroline is a globally recognized woman in the boating industry. Her former roles include translator, jewelry business owner, and working as a liaison to US companies navigating the Asian business world. She currently resides in Missouri, United States, and is the epitome of the American Dream. Going beyond the borders of her country, traveling across the globe, experiencing, and embracing many cultures, she remains strong in her faith and in the role of mother and grandmother to her family—making a mark on the people she encounters. She is a true legacy.
Days/times available: 6/14: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 12:00pm-12:40pm, 1:00pm-1:40pm EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
Chuck Rubin, CEO, West Marine
Chuck Rubin is the CEO of West Marine, a 55-year-old omnichannel marine retailer with 230+ retail stores, a Pro B2B division serving marine professionals, and online retail websites serving consumer and Pro customers. With virtually 100% brand awareness, West Marine delivers the products and services that boaters and anglers need and want every day.
Chuck is a retail leader with more than 30 years of retail experience and proven expertise in marketing, merchandising, operations, and strategy. He has led several Fortune 500 companies and category-leading retail brands. Most recently, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Michael’s Stores, the #1 omnichannel retailer in the industry with $5B in revenue and 50,000+ team members. As CEO, Chuck spearheaded the retailer’s entry into online retail and accelerated key initiatives focused on supply chain improvement, product innovation, private brands, and sourcing and targeting existing and emerging customer segments.
Prior to Michael’s, Chuck was CEO of Ulta Beauty where he led the team to develop a sustainable competitive advantage by enhancing the customer shopping experience to include new brand portfolio offerings, customer services, integrated online and physical environments, data analytics and customer marketing capabilities. He was previously President of North American Retail at Office Depot in addition to holding executive leadership positions at Federated Department Stores. Chuck also served as a Partner in Accenture’s retail consulting practice and was a member of the executive committee of the National Retail Federation from 2007 to 2010.
In addition to the West Marine Board of Directors, Chuck has served on the Boards of Ascena Apparel, Guitar Center and the National Retail Federation. He currently serves on the Advisory Council for InStride.
Chuck is an avid boater and long-term West Marine customer. He enjoys spending time on the water with his family and friends.
Days/times available: 6/14: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/18: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm EST
Donna Giddens, Sales Administrator/CSI Manager, Chaparral Boats
Growing up I knew I wanted a career and wanted to work for a company that connected me to the world. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Textile and Apparel Science at North Carolina State University and moved to Nashville, Georgia for a career opportunity. During this time, I married and started a family. I struggled to find the balance between my passion for my own career and my important role as a wife and mother. In 2001 I took a leap of faith and started my career with Chaparral and Robalo Boats.
I accepted a position as the Executive Assistant and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) coordinator and have grown in the company to now manage the internal Sales Support team which are all young women. Our team manages production for the company and supports our Senior Vice President and 7 regional sales directors who manage territories with 278 dealer’s world -wide including 69 International dealers.
The advice from my mentors has been invaluable in my career and family life. I have found inspiration, guidance, and support from them. Great mentor/mentee relationships are essential for growth and life-long learning.
I believe our worth is our contribution. I serve on the local Family Connections Communities and Schools Executive Board and enjoy volunteering in the Kinship Caregiver support group. There is great need in our surrounding small communities –our company and I feel a huge responsibility to give back to help others succeed.
Working to find balance in your career and family life is often difficult. The truth is it is more of a juggling act. Women have the great ability to multitask and juggle many projects at the same time. I have found choosing to be present and intentional with your career and family is what has worked for me.
Days/times available: 6/14: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/20: 10:00am-10:40am, 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/21: 10:00am-10:40am EST
Ellen Bradley, Chief Brand Officer and SVP Marketing & Communications, National Marine Manufacturers Association
Ellen Bradley serves as Chief Brand Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications for the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the leading trade group for recreational boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada. In her role she leads marketing, digital, communications, public affairs, and business intelligence across NMMA including its boat shows, advocacy, and Discover Boating.
She’s held this position since 2020, having grown her career at NMMA from Director of Communications, to Vice President of Marketing Communications to Chief Communications Officer.
As Chief Brand Officer, Bradley is responsible for helping the industry tell its important story and make impactful connections with its many audiences – from boaters to investors to policy makers. She recently oversaw the refresh of the Discover Boating brand and creation of the industry’s “See You Out Here” campaign to invite the next generation of boaters and engage and support current boaters as they take to the water.
Prior to NMMA, Bradley held a variety of communications and brand marketing positions with global PR firms and entertainment and consumer brands representing celebrities, athletes, television programming, hotels and casinos, government agencies, trade associations, and consumer packaged goods. She’s been recognized by Association Forum as a 40 under 40, by Boating Industry as a 40 Under 40 and by Boating Industry as one of their Women Making Waves. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia, is on the board of directors for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
Days/times available: 6/14: 11:00am-11:40am, 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/17: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm EST
Eric Fetchko, President, Dometic Outdoor Marine Segment
Eric Fetchko grew up around boats, and his early experiences with technical glitches and mechanical issues lead him to believe that there had to be way to make boats less quirky, more reliable, and well, just better.
Little did he know at the time that this goal would become the lynchpin of a boating industry career that has spanned decades. In fact, June 2024 marks Fetchko’s 38th year at the company that is today Dometic Outdoor, a leading solutions provider dedicated to making mobile living easier. When he started at Teleflex back in 1986, he didn’t realize at the time he would be making a career in the recreational boating industry. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine him in any other field given his life-long passion for boating and the outdoors.
Fetchko began at Teleflex as a junior engineer and worked his way up to president — an impressive feat especially given today’s competitive market, business climate and transitory nature of top talent. Not only that, but it has also given him insight to every level of the company and its operations.
Over these many years, Fetchko has presided over some of the industry’s most significant technical advancements, including many NMMA Innovation Award winners across multiple product categories.
It is not awards or accolades, however, that drive Fetchko to bigger and better things for Dometic Outdoor and the boating industry. It’s the same desire with which he began his career — to help the industry build better boats and provide consumers with the best possible experience on the water.
Days/times available: 6/17: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/18: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/20: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/21: 11:00am-11:40am EST
Gary DeSanctis, President, AIM Marine Group
Gary DeSanctis is the president of the AIM Marine Group and chief revenue officer of Active Interest Media. He has more than 30 years of consumer media experience. He has served in a variety of media, sales, management, and leadership positions. Gary is the former President of Showboats International and the former Publisher of Yachting and Motor Boating at Time4 Media. Gary is an avid boater and has never met an onboard DIY project that he could not complete. He is also a volunteer firefighter.
Days/times available: 6/17: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 1:00pm-1:40pm, 6/20: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm EST
George “Gus” Blakely, Executive Vice President, Sales & Service, Suzuki Marine USA, LLC
Gus Blakely has been a driving force behind Suzuki Marine for 33 years, beginning his career with the company’s Boat Builder group. In a career spanning three decades, Blakely has been involved in every aspect of Suzuki Marine’s business and has helped grow the company into the market leader it is today. He has been instrumental in Suzuki’s commitment to bring advanced outboard technology to every segment of the boating market — a philosophy that has led to nine NMMA Innovation Awards over the years.
Days/times available: 6/13:4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/18: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/19: 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/20: 4:00pm-4:40pm EST
Jamie Evans, Division CMO, Mercury Marine
Jamie Evans is the Division CMO of Marketing for Mercury Marine, the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A division of Brunswick Corporation, Mercury provides engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications.
With over 20 years of proven ability to effectively manage complex global brands, Evans has built, developed, and managed cross-functional teams in brand marketing, performance media, analytics, content/creative & UX, at top tier global brands such as Bang & Olufsen, Dyson, Kohler, and Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Not only bringing a deep knowledge in analytics and digital marketing strategies, but creative thinking for business solutions and future planning.
Evans is a recognized leader in building and deploying global lead generation and digital transformation strategies that have driven efficient and profitable revenue growth. She is passionate about delivering personalized consumer experiences in both the retail environment and ecommerce space. Evans has a successful track record of using an omni-channel approach for product launches and campaigns that have consistently out-performed sales goals.
Evans holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University. In addition, she has completed several leaderships trainings including B&O Leadership Program, Kohler Leadership Forum, HDMC Leadership, Leading Women Executives and is current enrolled in Northwestern/Kellogg CMO Executive Program. Evans lives in Milwaukee, WI with her family and participates in several local boards and is a volunteer in the soccer community.
Days/times available: 6/13: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/18: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 2:00pm, 2:40pm, 6/19: 12:00pm-12:40pm EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
JB Currell, President & CEO of JNJ Composites and Coatings, LLC, President and Owner of Bio Brands, LLC
JB Currell is the President and CEO of JNJ Composites and Coatings, LLC and President and Owner of Bio Brands, LLC. His expertise includes business development and strategic planning, sales leadership, organizational development, technology adoption and growth strategies. He is a sought-after to speak at conferences and meetings for business development, entrepreneurial training and strategic growth. Other achievements include board development and campaign for “Ocean Planet;” the build and campaign for the Hydroplane “Miss MAS,” a five-time world champion and national champion; the build and campaign of “Orca,” the only trimaran to row across the Atlantic, which achieved the Trans-Atlantic rowing record. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1979 to 1983, where he was a graduate of FLETC and served as a Federal Law enforcement officer for 4 years. He is a member of The Union League of Philadelphia, the Fort Worth Boat Club, a former board member of Cape Fear Community College, and the Seaport Foundation in Alexandria, VA. In his leisure, you will find him with family and friends cruising Squam Lake on an antique boat or blue water sailing.
Days/times available: 6/20: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/21: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am EST
Jeanne Craig, Editor in Chief, Soundings Magazine
Jeanne Craig is the Editor-in-Chief of Soundings, a consumer media brand for boating enthusiasts owned by Active Interest Media, and Vice President of Custom Publications for the AIM Marine Group. She has 30-plus years in the publishing/media business. Jeanne has developed award-winning content for consumer and trade magazines, books, seminars, social channels and podcasts. Her areas of expertise include the outdoor sports of boating, fishing and diving; home design and building; travel; and luxury lifestyles.
Days/times available: 6/13: 3:00pm-3:40pm, 6/18: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 2:00-2:40pm, 6/19: 12:00pm-12:40pm EST
Joan Maxwell, President, Regulator Marine
Joan grew up in rural Fairfield, NC. She graduated from Mattamuskeet High School and was the first person in her family to graduate from college. She earned a BA in History from the University of North Carolina. She is married to Owen Maxwell and together they currently reside in Edenton, North Carolina.
In 1988, Joan and Owen founded Regulator Marine in an abandoned A&P Grocery Store in Edenton. Regulator is now operating in an 121,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and is one of the most well-respected brands in the boating industry.
Joan and her team transitioned Regulator Marine from a job shop/manufacturing process to a highly sophisticated lean manufacturing process. Under Joan’s leadership, Regulator received ISO 9000:2008 certification, as well as the North Carolina Department of Labor’s top safety award, the North Carolina Star.
Joan focuses on learning innovative ways to improve the business that God has entrusted to her care. Currently, she is a member of C12, a Christian based leaders’ roundtable that focuses on building better businesses for a greater purpose.
Joan Maxwell demonstrates and demands from her leadership team at Regulator Marine a high level of integrity and positive leadership. Her service is evident in her dedication to not only Regulator Marine, but also to the local community in which Regulator is located. Joan established a Volunteer Program at Regulator Marine which pays employees their regular wages during working hours while they volunteer their time and services to various local organizations of their choosing. In 2018, Joan established the “In His Service” program at Regulator, which oversees Regulator’s charitable giving, as well as its employee emergency assistance fund. Joan’s passion is to personally live out Regulator’s core values and to lead her team to do the same.
Days/times available: 6/17: 3:30pm-4:10pm, 6/19: 10:30am-11:10am, 6/20: 10:30am-11:10am, 6/21: 2:00pm-2:40pm EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
Katheryn Burchett, EVP Western Operations
Katheryn serves as Safe Harbor’s Executive Vice President, Western Operations and leads an operations team dedicated to providing exceptional service and memorable experiences to the global boating community. Prior to joining Safe Harbor, she held leadership roles at JCPenney in both strategy and operations. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and received her MBA from the University of Connecticut. Katheryn is honored to be a part of the recreational boating industry and work alongside so many others to care for boaters, develop professional careers, and steward the environment.
Days/times available: 6/18: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 1:00pm-1:40pm, 6/19: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/21: 2:00pm-2:40pm EST
Ken Clinton, President, Intrepid Boats
Recognized as an industry leader and innovator of many marine industry firsts, Intrepid President Ken Clinton has been with the company for 33 years, having worked his way up in manufacturing through every aspect of the business, from a hands-on craftsperson to Department Lead Person, Line Supervisor, Plant Manager, VP of Manufacturing, to CEO and President for the past 15 years.
Mr. Clinton attended Tampa University to study Business Administration and Management. Prior to joining Intrepid, his career in marine manufacturing included stints at General Dynamics building nuclear fast attack submarines, and as a boat builder at Wellcraft, and Triumph Yachts.
As President, he continues to lead with a visionary and distinctively hands-on approach to every aspect of the company’s manufacturing, product development, and customer experience.
Days/times available: 6/13: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/14: 11:00am-11:40am, 6/18: 1:00pm-1:40pm, 6/19: 11:00am-11:40am EST
Kris Carroll, President, Grady White Boats
Starting as a production control clerk in 1975, Kris Carroll came up through the ranks at Grady-White, moving through leadership positions in multiple areas, including engineering and production. Promoted to president in 1993, she was the first woman to hold this position in the U.S. boat manufacturing industry.
Kris’s steadfast belief in putting the customer first, and building a great leadership team, has produced world-class results, including top rankings for Grady-White in every third-party customer satisfaction survey ever completed and the highest-ranking satisfaction scores in the saltwater category for every J.D. Power and Associates marine study ever done.
Grady-White’s unique vision is Kris’s passion: “Together, delivering the ultimate boating experience, while fully enjoying our workdays.” Deeply dedicated to helping people develop their individual potential, Kris created a distinctive program paying team members to read books for personal growth in all areas of life.
Kris has, and currently holds, active leadership roles in the marine industry and her community, including her current service on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Mostly recently, Kris was inducted in the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association Hall of Fame, the first woman to receive this prestigious recognition, honoring individuals who have substantially contributed to the advancement of the marine industry.
Days/times available: 6/13: 1:30pm-2:10pm, 3:30pm-4:10pm, 6/14: 1:30pm-2:10pm, 3:30pm-4:10pm EST
Kristen Frohnhoefer, President, Sea Tow
Since 2015, Kristen has served as both President of Sea Tow Services International and President of the Board of Directors for the Sea Tow Foundation. Sea Tow is a second-generation, family-owned and operated franchising and membership-based business, headquartered in Southold, New York. On-water assistance services are provided to Sea Tow members and other boaters by local Sea Tow franchisees and teams.
As President of Sea Tow Services International, Kristen is responsible for overseeing all internal operations, including the company’s membership and sales programs, marketing, communications, the Customer Care Center and technology efforts. She focuses much of her time on technology implementation, business development and maintaining key relationships across the marine industry.
Kristen’s experience and expertise lend themselves well to conversations on topics such as:
- Working, proving yourself and advancing in a family business
- Family business succession planning
- Working with independently owned franchise locations
- Technology implementation and process improvement
- Salesforce CRM
- Cross-team coordination
- Empowering your team; Learning from your team
- Building industry relationships
Kristen was named one of Long Island’s Top 50 Women in Business by Long Island Business News in 2019, and twice recognized by Boating Industry magazine in 2016 on the Women Making Waves list and in 2012 as a Mover and Shaker. The MRAA Educational Foundation recognized Kristen as the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the year in 2020. Kristen served on the Board of Directors of Marine Marketers of America from 2014 to 2022.
Days/times available: 6/14: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/17: 10:00am-10:40am, 6/19: 9:00am-9:40am EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
Laurie Louvier, VP Marketing, Dometic
Laurie Louvier is the Vice President of Marketing for Dometic Marine, a global leader in OEM and aftermarket marine products including steering, controls, trim tabs, instruments, air conditioning and heating, marine sanitation, refrigeration and more.
Laurie is a seasoned professional who has served the company and the marine industry for 26 years. Over nearly a quarter century, she has been responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, vision, sales performance and growth for the Dometic Marine and Sierra brands. During this period, Dometic Marine and Sierra brands have continued to thrive, evolve and expand, even in the light of challenging market conditions worldwide. This evolution culminated in the February 2022 re-launch, rebranding and market expansion of the iconic Sierra brand, which Laurie has been closely associated with since joining the company.
Laurie believes in giving back to the industry, so she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Marine Dealers Association (NMDA) and acts as Chairperson for International Boatbuilding Exposition (IBEX) planning. She also previously served on the Grow Boating Board of Directors, where she participated in industry-wide efforts to promote and expand the boating lifestyle nationwide.
Laurie holds an MBA from McKendree University and is based in Dometic Marine’s Litchfield, Illinois facility. She is a well-rounded outdoor enthusiast who enjoys cycling, paddle boarding, cooking, music and all types of fitness activities.
Days/times available: 6/13: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/14: 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/20: 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/21: 12:00pm-12:40pm EST
Malin Swartz, SVP, Volvo Penta
Malin Schwartz is the Senior Vice President, Brand, Communications and Marketing at Volvo Penta (Volvo Group). She has extensive experience with transformation, change management, as well as strategic and operational management across brand, communication, and marketing. Prior to joining Volvo Penta, Malin held a range of senior, strategic positions within the Volvo Car Group. She has a passion for inspiring, motivating, and driving the business forward with focus on efficiency and continuous development. Contributing to business transformation towards increased sustainability and digitalization is a top priority for her. Malin also serves on the board of directors of Humphree.
Days/times available: 6/14: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/17: 11:00am-11:40am EST
Mark Schwabero, former (retired) CEO, Brunswick Corporation
Mark D. Schwabero is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brunswick Corporation, having been elected to that post in February 2016. Previously, Mr. Schwabero had been President and Chief Operating Officer of Brunswick, having been appointed to that position in May 2014. Mr. Schwabero had served as President – Mercury Marine since 2008.
Mr. Schwabero joined Mercury in 2004 as President – Mercury Outboards with 28 years of experience as a senior executive in the automotive and commercial vehicle industries. Prior to joining Mercury, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Hendrickson International of Woodridge, Ill., a leading manufacturer of heavy truck and trailer suspension systems and components.
Before that he served as President, Automotive Products and Regional President for Pilkington Libbey-Owens-Ford. Earlier, Mr. Schwabero was President of Bosch Braking Systems, North America, formed from an acquisition of AlliedSignal’s Braking Systems business, where he had served as President.
A 17-year career with Navistar International preceded these more recent roles and during that tenure he was a Group Vice President of the truck business, Group Vice President of operations and general manager of medium duty products. He also spent two years in sales with Navistar.
Mr. Schwabero holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in industrial and systems engineering from The Ohio State University, where he was recognized with the University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991 and a Meritorious Service Award in 2008.
He also serves as a director of Methode Electronics and 1st Source Corporation and was the former Chairman of the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
Days/times available: 6/17: 9:00am-9:40am, 10:30am-11:10am, 6/18: 9:00am-9:40am, 10:30am-11:10am EST
Matt Gruhn, President, MRAA
For more than 10 years, Matt Gruhn has served as the President of the Marine Retailers Association, the industry’s leading trade association serving boat dealers, their partners and their customers. Under Gruhn’s leadership and through the creation and delivery of many new programs and services, membership with MRAA has grown by more than 270 percent.
Those new programs include the 2014 acquisition of the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program; the launch of the online education platform MRAATraining.com; the re-launch of the organization’s 40-year-old annual conference as Dealer Week; and most recently, the launch of the MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program.
A 25-year veteran of the marine industry, Gruhn began as an associate editor for a group of consumer boating magazines in 1997. He worked his way up to Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Boating Industry magazine. He and his team launched the Boating Industry Top 100 Dealers Program in 2005 and helped to revitalize the MRAA’s annual conference, which attracted just 97 people in 2007 to present day events that attract more than 1,100 people.
Today, Gruhn serves on the board of directors for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable as well as Associations North, a trade association serving association professionals in the upper Midwest. In his free time, you can find him flyfishing the streams of Southeastern Minnesota, muskie fishing on Lake Minnetonka or driving the boat while his wife and two daughters wake surf.
Days/times available: 6/14: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/19: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am EST
Michele Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager, Soundings Trade Only Group
Michele J. Goldsmith is a seeker, artist, and marine media and industry leader. With a passion to connect and inform the recreational marine community. Michele utilizes media tools to drive progress and foster innovation. She is the vice president and general manager of the Soundings Trade Only group, the leading marine business-to-business multi-media brand, which is part of Active Interest Media. Her marine industry experience includes manufacturing operations, product development, and marketing and sales management roles to the OEM, aftermarket, domestic and international sectors. Michele’s impact extends beyond her professional roles, as she has actively served the marine industry on the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) board of directors and its executive board, as chairperson of the NMMA MACD board of directors, on the Grow Boating and NMMA PAC board of directors, and the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) technical board of directors. Notably, she was honored with the 2023 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year award and the 2024 Alan J. Freedman award presented by the NMMA for outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity, and personal motivation.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Michele is a visual thinker and artist, consistently engaged in designing and creating. With a background as a former professional athlete and fitness instructor, she leads an active lifestyle. As a global citizen, she values the perspectives from different cultures, expressing this through her love for travel, exploration, continuous learning, and appreciation for time spent near or on the water with friends and family.
Days/times available: 6/18: 11:00am-11:40am, 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/20: 11:00am-11:40am, 12:00pm-12:40pm EST
Michelle Dauchy, VP of Customer Experience, Mercury Marine
Michelle Dauchy is the Vice President of Customer Experience at Mercury Marine and is accountable for establishing the end-to-end post purchase customer experience strategy. In the role, she leads the Mercury service organization, the parts and consumable product business and the advancement of eCommerce.
Mercury Marine, as part of the Brunswick Corporation, is the world’s leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems.
Michelle joined Mercury in July 2015 as CMO where she led the company’s global marketing strategy and played an integral role in advancing the company’s eCommerce vision and in-market activation. Prior to joining Mercury, Michelle worked at S.C. Johnson, where she managed iconic brands and P&L’s in more than 15 business segments across 80 countries. She has extensive experience using consumer insights to deliver strong brand and product innovation to the global marketplace and is passionate about building high performance teams.
Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Dartmouth College and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Days/times available: 6/19: 11:00am-11:40am EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
Michelle Hildyard, VP Product Management & Business Development, Raymarine
Michelle combines her passion for boating with her career. An operational and Business Executive with over 18 years’ experience in leadership roles within the marine industry. She has an impressive track record in executing multiple and varied strategic projects, including outsourcing, company acquisitions, new product introductions and business integrations.
During her career Michelle has worked in Product Management, Business Development, Customer Service and Supply Chain gaining expertise in strategic planning, risk management, financial planning and optimising and implementing effective business processes and systems.
Michelle is currently the Vice President of Product Management and Business Development for Raymarine. In this role she is responsible for Raymarine’s strategic roadmap to grow the business by entering new markets and delivering world class marine electronics and thermal cameras.
Michelle lives in Southampton, UK with her husband and two daughters. She is passionate about working with and making a difference to women in the marine industry.
Days/times available: 6/17: 11:00am-11:40am, 6/18: 11:00am-11:40am, 6/20: 5:00pm-5:40pm, 6/21: 8:00am-9:10am EST
Nikki Storey, President of Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS)
Nikki Storey, President of Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS), heads the only accredited marine trades institution in the Midwest Region. A native to Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, where the
school is located, Nikki grew up in a family of skilled trades people, giving her a strong understanding of the importance of trade-focused careers. With a degree in Business Management and a minor in Human
Resources, Nikki also has many years of extensive Human Resources experience helping employers
attract and onboard new staff.
Nikki merged her personal and professional experiences at GLBBS and developed a passion for helping students pursue trade-careers specific to the marine industry. In 2018, after spearheading the process to establishing GLBBS as a nationally accredited institution, Nikki changed the focus of the school by
developing programming based on recommendations and expressed needs from marine industry leaders and employers. With a “hands-on” approach to leadership, she also worked closely with students to learn and set their goals as both students and future employees. Her work helped create programming that sets students up for success and provides the marine industry with employees whose skills line up with industry needs.
Nikki’s work continues with a strategic plan focused on increasing enrollment, including supportive outreach to military veterans interested in pursuing marine industry careers, developing new programs relevant to the marine industry with a specialized Marine Electronics Technology program in the works, and expanding the GLBBS facilities and campus. In fact, the construction of a marine skills training facility is set to begin in the summer of 2023.
Nikki’s work has been recognized industry wide. In 2020, She received the Lighthouse Award from Michigan Boating Industry Association and was named as one of Boating Industry’s 40 under 40. In 2022, Nikki appeared in Boating Industry’s 2022 Women Making Waves and was awarded the Darlene Briggs
Marine Woman of the year by the MRAA Educational Foundation.
Days/times available: 6/13: 1:00pm-1:40pm, 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/19: 1:00pm-1:40pm, 2:00pm-2:40pm EST
Paulee Day, Chief Administrative Officer, West Marine
Paulee Day is the Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary of West Marine. Paulee joined West Marine in 2021 as Chief Legal and Human Resources Officer. She has over 20 years of experience as a Chief Legal Officer, 15 of those with MarineMax, the nation’s largest boat retailer. During her tenure at MarineMax, she helped the company more than double in size. She has been recognized as a “Woman Making Waves” by Boating Industry Magazine and named Top Corporate Counsel by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2017 and again in 2022.
Paulee describes herself as a business leader who leverages her knowledge of the law to serve as a key business partner in managing legal affairs. Aside from building and establishing in-house legal functions, she has proactively worked to find opportunities to advance overall business results. Her initiatives have led to improved risk management, oversight of Human Resources, and the development and implementation of culture initiatives to enhance employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.
Paulee is a magna cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University where she attained her Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degrees and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Societies. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Indiana University where she attained her Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree. She is a member of the Florida Bar.
Paulee has a lifelong love of boating and water sports that she enjoys with her family.
Days/times available: 6/14: 9:00am–9:40am, 2:00pm-2:40pm, 6/20: 9:00am-9:40am, 10:00am–10:40am EST
Rachel Bridges, Director & General Manager – Global Marine
I joined Cummins as a temp in late 1995 performing admin work in the Sales and Service department for the marine office in Charleston. I had never heard of Cummins and had no background in engines or the marine industry! 27 years on, I know my way around most types of boats and am quite competant in engine technology! During this period, I have had roles in Marketing Communications, VPI Product Development, Product Planning and Business Development. I have lived in the UK since 2007.
Whilst working for the Cummins, I completed my undergrad degree in Marketing at Charleston Southern University and was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in the Kelly MBA program, where I graduated in 2016. In 2018, I participated in the first European Leadership Development cohort. This experience provided me much needed insight and tools for leading diverse and distributed teams.
In January 2020, I took on the role of Director & General Manager – Global Marine. This has been quite a journey – both in learning the role and managing the team through a global pandemic and the following supply chain crisis.
Days/times available: 6/19: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/20: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am EST
Shelley Tubaugh, Vice President-Marketing of Grady-White Boats
Tubaugh began her career at Grady-White in 1988 and has held many positions since her first role as the customer service administrator. She has been an integral part of the company, holding roles in Territorial Sales, Sales Administration, Purchasing, and Human Resources, as well as participating in cross functional project teams on the factory floor. Her roles have created opportunities to interact one-to-one with customers and strive for continuous improvement to achieve Grady-White’s marketing mission of creating systems of communication for all stakeholders that maximize healthy relationships and satisfy market development planning needs.
In her current role as Vice President-Marketing, Tubaugh leads the strategies for external and internal communications, collaborating with Grady-White’s internal team, national and international dealers, advertising/marketing agencies and media partners. She serves on the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association Customer Satisfaction Index Committee and serves on the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Board of Directors.
In 2018, the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Institute recognized Tubaugh, as one of the marine industry’s honorees for the STEP Ahead Award. The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead initiative began in 2012 to celebrate women in the manufacturing industry who are making a difference through advocacy, mentorship, engagement, promotion, and leadership.
Throughout her Grady-White career, Tubaugh has demonstrated leadership and willingness to take on any task and commitment to upholding Grady-White’s core value of paying exceptional attention to detail. Away from the office, Tubaugh is a dedicated mother and wife as well as being an active volunteer in her church and in her community. She holds BS degrees in both Business Management and Political Science from the University of Oregon and received her MBA from East Carolina University. She believes strongly in lifelong learning and enjoys encouraging and helping others to achieve their full potential.
Days/times available: 6/14: 1:30pm-2:10pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm, 6/18: 1:30pm-2:10pm, 3:00pm-3:40pm EST
Susan Bonivich, OEM/Dealer Sales Manager, Volvo Penta
Early in my sales career, I was often the only woman at the table at dealership meetings. Over the years, her technical and product knowledge, commitment to customers and leadership skills have inspired and led the way for the next wave of women entering the field. In addition to promoting and selling Volvo Penta’s marine engine solutions to 600 dealers across the U.S., I have been working with all aspects of the business for the past 24 years.
Propelled by my early experiences in sales, I have been working to team-up with industry colleagues are launching promoting women in the industry. The initiative to support and promote the success of women in the recreational boating industry—from boatbuilders to buyers is very near and dear to my heart . The goal is to expand the number of women in the industry while providing them a much-needed support network. I was selected by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas as the 2016 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year, which honors leadership, commitment and the advancement of women in the boating industry. In 2021 I received the STEP award (Science, Technology, Education, and, Production) I currently hold several Industry board positions with WSIA, MRAA and NNMA.
Days/times available: 6/19: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/20: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
Stephanie Vatalaro, SVP Strategy & Operations, RBFF
Stephanie Vatalaro is the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations at the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), where she is responsible for ensuring the ongoing alignment of organizational goals and objectives with key priorities. Vatalaro oversees the consumer outreach strategy for RBFF’s Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ brand campaigns along with the recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) efforts with its state, federal and industry partners.
A marketing and communications professional with more than 25 years’ experience in corporate, agency, non-profit and TV newsroom settings, Vatalaro has devoted the last 17 years of her career to getting more people out on the water fishing and boating and conserving our nation’s aquatic natural resources.
Vatalaro currently serves on the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Marketing and Market Insights Committees, the Marine Marketers of America Board of Directors and NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council. She was recognized in Boating Industry’s 2020 Women Making Waves and she volunteers with Casting for Recovery.
Vatalaro received her B.S. degree in Communications from Florida State University and completed a Certificate in Management at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She grew up in the Florida Keys and is the daughter of a flats fishing guide. She now spends summers fishing and boating with her family on the Potomac River in Virginia.
Days/times available: 6/14: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am, 6/21: 11:00am-11:40am, 1:00pm-1:40pm EST
Steve Heese, President, Chris Craft
Steve Heese is an entrepreneur who has spent the last 25 years in the powersports industry.
Steve Heese grew up fishing and sailing in Tampa Florida. He graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University in New Orleans with a degree in accounting while working full-time in a bar in the French Quarter. Steve joined Price Waterhouse in Tampa after college and passed the CPA exam. After 4 years of working there, Steve attended Harvard Business School in Boston where he received an MBA in 1988.
Following Harvard, joined ERICO International, a privately-owned construction products company, and spent 12 years living and working outside the US. Steve lived in Sydney Australia, where he met his wife Amanda, and their 3 children were born. Steve expanded ERICO in the far East and Europe, moving to Singapore, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and finally London, where Steve was CEO of the entire company. While living in London, in 1996 Steve invested with Stephen Julius, his classmate at Harvard, in Riva Yachts in Italy, which the partners purchased from Rolls-Royce, giving the business partners their first taste of the Marine Industry.
Riva was sold to the Ferretti Group in 1999, and subsequently Steve left ERICO and returned with his family to Tampa in 2000. Shortly afterwards, Steve and Stephen purchased the assets of the Chris-Craft Boat Company in Sarasota at a bankruptcy auction. The partners rebuilt the business and then sold Chris-Craft in 2018 to Winnebago Industries. Today, Steve serves as President of the Company.
While owning Chris-Craft, in 2004, Steve and Stephen purchased the trademarks of Indian Motorcycle at a bankruptcy auction and assembled a team of people to build a and launch a line of motorcycles. Indian was sold to Polaris Industries in 2011.
Steve is currently the Chairman of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and is a director and past chairman of Independent Boatbuilders, Inc (IBBI), the largest marine industry buying co-operative in the world.
Days/times available: 6/20: 3:00pm-3:40pm, 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/21: 9:00am-9:40am, 10:00am-10:40am EST
Thom Dammrich, former (retired) President, NMMA
When Thomas Dammrich became president of NMMA 20 years ago, he knew he had to get the industry working together and focused on things everyone could agree to work on. One of the first things he tackled was focusing on market expansion efforts that were also measurable. Dammrich’s leadership helped unify the industry to do just that with the Discover Boating campaign, now entering its thirteenth year.
With equal attention, Thom has worked to unite the industry on advocacy issues to protect and grow the industry and ensure the boating public has unfettered used of our nation’s waterways. The American Boating Congress today boast thirty-two industry co-hosts. In his former role as NMMA President, Dammrich spoke for the industry on Capitol Hill and directed NMMA’s staff to protect the industry’s interests in Washington DC. Thom worked to be sure boating was represented at every table where decisions impacting recreational boating and fishing are addressed.
Dammrich’s career spans forty-three years in association management including thirty years as the CEO of two associations, NMMA and IPC-Institute Connecting Electronic Circuits. Throughout his career, Dammrich has been a strong mentor and advocate for women, helping them to build the skills necessary to succeed in business and in life. Sixty percent of NMMA employees were women and 50% of his senior management team at NMMA were strong women leaders. In his current work he continues to mentor women CEOs and others looking to assume greater leadership roles.
Dammrich currently serves on the RBFF Board where he served as Chairman and Board Member for many years. Dammrich was the first to demonstrate the need for the industry to market to a more diverse audience to capture the future buyer and keep them interested in the boating lifestyle. He is a strong advocate for boating safety and conservation.
Dammrich has a BA in Economics, an MBA in Finance, an MS in Accountancy, and a Doctorate of Business Administration, all from DePaul University in Chicago. His is a member of the NMMA Hall of Fame, ASA Sportfishing Hall of Fame, Boating Safety Hall of Fame and has been recognized for lifetime achievement by the Water Sports Industry Association. Dammrich is Chairman of the Board of the Center for Sportfish Policy and a member of the Board of the Freedom Waters Foundation and Niven Marketing.
Days/times available: 6/18: 11:00am-11:40am, 12:00pm-12:40pm, 6/19: 10:00am-10:40am, 11:00am-11:40am EST
Wanda Kenton Smith, President, Kenton Smith Marketing
For more than 35 years, Wanda Kenton Smith has remained on the leading edge of all things marketing. She is a both a highly experienced marketing strategist and proven tactician whose efforts have positively impacted scores of organizations, ranging from established global companies to emerging start-ups. In addition to her finely honed marketing chops, Wanda is a degreed journalist and former editor of two national consumer magazines and three b2b trade publications.
She is the well-read national marketing columnist for Soundings Trade Only, an editorial post she has held since 1998. Her popular columns cover all aspects of marketing trends and breakthroughs, offering real world insight and applications for readers.
Over the years, Wanda has by-lined more than 500 published news stories, feature articles and columns in dozens of print and online publications throughout the world. She has also edited three books, produced hundreds of custom content posts for corporate blogs with resounding organic search results, plus has ghostwritten and produced a litany of internal and external communications, articles and executive presentations for countless business executives. Wanda is an award-winning advertising copywriter and an internationally recognized scriptwriter and creative/video director. Her work has earned international, national and regional award recognition and acclaim.
Many consider Wanda one of the top PR practitioners in the marine industry. She has orchestrated the turnkey product launches for dozens of global and national brands, resulting in outstanding exposure and measurable lead generation for clients. Her PR work has earned national and regional accolades including the recent Neptune Award for best PR campaign in North America, and the Sea Tow Foundation’s National Boating Safety Award for the Best Marketing Outreach in North America, among others.
Today, Wanda services select key clients whose vision, focus, cause and passion are in direct alignment with her own.
Days/times available: 6/13: 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/17: 4:00pm-4:40pm, 6/18: 3:00pm-3:40pm, 6/19: 4:00pm-4:40pm EST
Click here to request a meeting with one of the leaders, Women in the Industry 1+1 Request Form
