Tag Archives: Women Making Waves

Lisa Almeida Director of Sales and Marketing, Freedom Boat Club Education: B.A. from Flagler College Years in the marine industry: 7 If you had to choose one memorable achievement in the marine industry, what would it be and why? My most memorable achievement was opening a Freedom Boat Club franchise in California. It had long been a dream for the president ...

Women Making Waves is Boating Industry’s effort to recognize the numerous women in the boating industry who have made large contributions to its success, propelled its growth and led their organizations into the future. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year award, which is as appropriate a time as any to give these ...

Jaclyn Baumgarten CEO/Co-Founder, Boatsetter Education: Stanford Graduate School of Business, M.B.A. 2005; Wellesley College, B.A. 2000, Dual major in Political Science and Spanish. Years in the marine industry: 5 What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? The marine industry has a powerful network and by tapping into that network and gaining the ...

Nancy Cueroni Executive Director, National Marine Distributors Association Education: B.A. in American Studies, Communications, University of Notre Dame Years in the marine industry: 27 Companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies: Director of Member Services, Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA); Executive Director, NMDA (current job) What are some of the biggest ...

Margaret Bonds Podlich President, BoatU.S. Education: B.A. in History/Political Science from Tulane University, New Orleans Years in the marine industry: 22 What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? If you think about everyone in the U.S. going to work today, what percentage of them are working to give other people happiness?  That’s what ...

Debbie Parks Marketing Director and Buyer, Parks Marina Education: Associate’s Degree in Marketing and Broadcast Journalism Years in the marine industry: 17 Positions held at Parks Marina: I started off in F & I. I had no experience in this, but I am a people person and was willing to learn. I LOVED meeting all the people that bought boats from us. ...

Rallee Chupich Director of Service and Restaurant Operations, Gordy’s Lakefront Marine and Gordy’s Boat House     Education: Master’s of Education, University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, Wisconsin certification to teach grades 6-12 Spanish & Geography, Assistant to the Dean of Education; B.A. Degrees in Geography and Spanish, University of California, Santa Barbara Years in the marine industry: My entire life. I ...

Anne Dunbar IBEX Show Director, IBEX LLC Education: B.A. Communications, University of Colorado, Boulder; Master’s Certificate in Creativity & Change Leadership, Buffalo State College, 2012 Years in the marine industry: 30 Companies you have worked for in the marine industry and titles you held within those companies: Soundings & Soundings Trade Only, Region Advertising Sales Manager; Boating Industry magazine, East Coast Advertising Sales ...

Amanda Rodriguez Levandowski Chief Operating Officer, Sales, Charlotte Ski Boats Education: Business Administration from McColl Business School at Queens University Years in the marine industry: 6 What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned working in the marine industry? I have learned to embrace the journey. Every day is a new opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. ...

Wanda Kenton Smith Chief Marketing Officer, Freedom Boat Club; President, Kenton Smith Marketing Education: B.A. in Journalism, Auburn University Years in the marine industry: 36 Was it difficult to navigate a career in this industry? Why or why not? Throughout my 36-year career in this industry, I have been extremely fortunate to be associated with many very smart business leaders who ...