Women Making Waves: Joan Maxwell
Joan Maxwell
President, Regulator Marine, Inc.
Education: B.A. in History, University of North Carolina
Years in the marine industry: Almost 30 years
What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? This industry is full of great people – some in large organizations and some in small. I’ve learned that most of these people are willing to help solve a problem or give advice. Kris Carroll, president of Grady White Boats is one of my best friends. She has given me management advice and through the years we’ve developed a very strong friendship.
Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? At times it was difficult – especially being not only a woman but also wife of the person people perceived as “the owner.” I had to learn to toughen up my skin and just do my job. Today I am so pleased to see the number of women in our industry – especially in the dealer networks. The role of women in society is changing and so today it isn’t such a rare thing to see a woman in leadership in most industries.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in the boating industry? Probably leading some other type of organization. It is fun for me to look at businesses and see ways that they could improve. There are many good businesses in this country that could be great if they focused on small things – looked at their products, facilities and staff through the eyes of their customers.
What is your favorite place to go boating? We are surrounded by water here in Eastern N.C. I love to boat on Roanoke Sound and in the Atlantic out of Oregon Inlet. My favorite place to fish is down in Costa Rica where the water is calm and the sailfish are just waiting to be caught and released.