MarineMax adds VP for new Super Yachts Division
MarineMax announced Wednesday that superyacht industry veteran William (Billy) Smith, is joining as vice president of MarineMax Super Yachts Division.
This new division is part of the continued focus MarineMax has in providing services to its yachts customers – launching an exclusive yacht site in the fall of 2015 at www.marinemaxyachts.com and the addition of MarineMax Private Yacht Charters in the spring of 2016.
Smith has deep roots in recreational boating, sailboat racing, and deep sea fishing, allowing him to thoroughly understand customer needs and desires and to appreciate the exacting nature of conceiving, building, managing and owning superyachts, the company says.
His first position in the marine industry was with the family-owned companies T. Smith and Sons and Crescent Towing and Salvage. Once the companies sold in 1980, Smith founded Modern Diesel Power with his father to introduce towboats in the U.S. market that could burn alternative fuels. Smith then held a position, since the founding in 1988, at Trinity Yachts, LLC and quickly became a shareholder and vice president of sales and marketing.
“We are excited to bring aboard Billy as vice president of MarineMax Super Yachts Division. With his many years of experience in the industry, we look forward to this new expansion of MarineMax,” said Chuck Cashman, chief revenue officer.
Smith is a founding member and former board member of the Superyacht Builders Association; he is a member and former vice chairman, United States Superyacht Association; he is a founding member of the International SuperYacht Society; he is a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Pass Christian Yacht Club; and he is a founding board member of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association of Louisiana.
“Becoming Vice President of MarineMax Super Yachts Division is a thrilling continuation of my career. I look forward to bringing my vast experience to MarineMax and expanding their customer base,” Smith said.
Smith graduated from Springhill College in 1975, and undertook graduate studies at Tulane University and Loyola University. His sailing experience in both one-design and ocean racing include competing in notable sailing events such as Southern Ocean Racing Conference, Newport-Bermuda, Miami-Montego Bay, Sardinia Cup, and the St. Petersburg-Isla Mujeres races. He still races and fishes whenever possible.
