Tag Archives: Profiles in Leadership

By Wanda Kenton Smith When the industry was forced to pivot in the early days of Covid-19, a very bright and industrious young professional worked tirelessly behind the scenes to lead and create innovative ways to promote and engage the boating public.  At the time, Alisdair “Ali” Martin was president and CEO of TRMG, a print and digital media agency ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith One of Dave Marlow’s most memorable childhood boating experiences involved a sinking boat and rescue mission.  He and his brother were enjoying a fun sightseeing adventure in Norfolk Harbor with their grandfather aboard his small 14-foot aluminum jon boat with a Mercury 9.8 outboard to view the big ships. On the return leg, his brother asked ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith In 2001, Kim Sweers was at the top of her game as vice president of a data company that built large global networks. When the dot.com bubble burst, however, she shifted gears and launched a new career heading operations at FB Marine Group in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which was owned by her boyfriend, Randy Sweers. Having ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith When you talk to American Sportfishing Association president Glenn Hughes about his illustrious 34-year boating industry career and ask what he’s enjoyed most, it’s all about the boating life and all the great people he’s met along the way. The boating gene is in his DNA. He recalls endless, carefree summer days throughout childhood spent with ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith Some might say it was fate that brought service expert Valerie Ziebron to carve out a career in the boating business nearly 20 years ago. Valerie had just finished teaching an automotive workshop as a service and parts trainer for her client Chrysler when a boating industry outsider stopped by and said he and his crew ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith David Parker’s love for boating began in childhood while enjoying family recreational outings. He fondly recalls cruising up the St. Johns River from Sanford, Fla. aboard his dad’s trusty twin engine, wooden Chris-Craft cruiser, and dropping anchor for weekend camping adventures. He also remembers fun family excursions along the Kissimmee Boat-A-Cade, and annual boat treks via ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith From the time he was a tyke tubing behind his grandfather’s 55-foot houseboat, through combo skiing and carving on a big board as a teen, to surfing the waves in exotic oceans as an adult, Jim Emmons has had a lifelong love affair with the water. In 1989, former college buddy John McEver of World Publications ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith From her earliest years playing on boats at Wayzata Marine in Wayzata, Minn., to dusting, stocking shelves and handling administrative duties as a teen, to moving into key roles managing inventory and selling parts and accessories, Natalie Briggs Carlson was always immersed in her family’s boating business. After marriage, she relocated with her husband to Austin, ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith Kristen Frohnhoefer, president of Sea Tow Services International, Inc. and the Sea Tow Foundation board of directors, was raised in the family business, but came aboard full time in 2003 after a teaching career. She has worked in virtually all aspects of the business and oversees internal operations. Besides selection as the 2020 Darlene Briggs Marine ...