Conference & Expo Presenters
Shirley Adams, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Adams & Associates, LLC - President
Shirley is a Proven HR professional and trainer with over 30 progressive years of
hands-on operations and strategic leadership experience. Her experience has
given her a well-rounded knowledge of HR and has directly managed functions to
include: Safety and Environmental, Payroll and Benefits, Employee Relations,
Recruitment, Selection & Retention and various Operations functions.
Believing that people are the key to success, Shirley has a passion for helping
organizations work towards aligning their human capital resources with the
corporate strategic plan to maximize efficiency and profit.
Currently the Head of People and Culture for Regal Boats in Orlando, Shirley is
working with the leadership team to prepare leadership for growth and
sustainability. Culture is important at Regal Boats and so a focus on activities
and community involvement are a focus to ensure that the company lives out it’s
values.
Shirley also serves as an adjunct professor at Rollins College in addition to
founding and operating Adams & Associates, LLC. With a focus on advancing
manufacturing skills and education, she works as an instructor for the American
Boat Builders and Repairers Association (ABBRA), the Association of Marina
Industries, the Marine Industry Technical Education Council (MITEC), and
previously served as the Chairwoman for The Grove Counseling Center.
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Caitlin Ajax is Vice President of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) at Safe Harbor Marinas with expertise in corporate sustainability strategy, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. Caitlin’s career spans several industries, including law, energy, manufacturing, agribusiness, and most recently, marine services. Caitlin is passionate about leveraging private sector innovation and resources to help solve the world’s most pressing environmental and humanitarian problems.
In addition to completing the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) certified training, she earned her JD magna cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law and is licensed in both Illinois and Rhode Island. As one of only a few attorneys to serve in an executive ESG role, Caitlin is a go-to resource for lawyers and other professionals interested in bridging the gap between ESG and other business roles.
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Steve Arnold
Owner of Marina Holdings LLC, which includes Yarmouth Boat Yard, Moose Landing Marina, Freedom Boat Club of Maine, and Maine Boating Academy
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Steve Arnold grew up working in marinas. He started out as a yard hand and worked his way up to management roles before heading off to college at Florida State University. After earning his MBA and his private pilot’s license, Steve embarked on a career in finance.
Seeking a more enriching quality of life, Steve moved to Maine in 2000 to enjoy family time 'the way life should be'. He purchased Yarmouth Boat Yard in January 2004. At that time, Yarmouth Boat Yard had just one employee and sold a single line of boats. Today Yarmouth Boat Yard employs twenty-four full time employees and carries BRIG, Defiance, Pursuit, and Sea Fox boats. The boat yard continues to thrive and grow, priding itself on its high customer satisfaction. This is directly correlated to strong team of steadfast employees Steve has brought together and each team member’s determination to provide customers with the best possible boating experience each and every day.
In 2013, Steve capitalized on the opportunity to expand his business footprint by buying Moose Landing Marina in Naples, Maine. The largest on water facility in Maine’s lakes region, Steve clearly understood the enormous potential of the facility. The freshwater environment posed a new set of challenges to overcome with shorter seasons, a faster pace, and larger volumes. With a focus on providing exceptional customer service, he worked to attract, retain, and train a staff of dedicated professionals. Today Moose Landing is not only one of the largest Yamaha dealers in the Northeast, they also are the largest pontoon and deck boat dealer in the region selling BRIG, Defiance, Montara, Ranger Tugs, Pursuit, Regal, Sea Fox, and Starcraft. They have thirty full-time, year-round employees and nearly doubles during boating season to manage and maintain the company’s fleet of sixty rental boats in Naples and other boat rental location at Point Sebago Resort. Steve’s careful planning and execution have proved successful.
September of 2017, Steve decided to purchase the Freedom Boat Club of Maine franchise, bringing boat sharing locations to his two marinas. Since then, he has expanded the club footprint, to six locations with additional clubs at the Fore Points Marina in downtown Portland, at Sunset Marina in South Portland, at Point Sebago Resort on Sebago Lake, and at Linekin Bay Resort in Boothbay. The club now has over 350 memberships and continues to grow its fleets. Additional Maine locations are also being evaluated and considered as well. Freedom Boat Club provides another boating alternative to help customers get out on the water in a way that best fits their budget and lifestyle. Whether someone wants to rent, own, or join the boat club, Steve’s businesses can help.
One of Steve’s proudest accomplishments has been spearheading efforts to establish the Yamaha Outboard Motor Repair Training course at Southern Maine Community College. This first of its kind, the program assists students in developing basic knowledge and skills for outboard motor repair. Grant-funded, the training course is free for qualified students. The skills these graduates gain through the program lead to better job opportunities and increased earning potential. It also helps to fill the void for skilled marine technicians in this region.
A family man, Steve has four children and resides in Yarmouth, Maine. He is an active member of the community. He is a Board Member for the Association of Marina Industries, a Dealer Ambassador for Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, as well as past Chairman of the Yarmouth Harbor and Waterfront Committee. He is also a past Board Member for Maine Marine Trades Association and a past member of the Yarmouth Planning Board.
When not overseeing things at his three businesses, Steve is often found out on or around the water, enjoying scuba diving, boating, and quality time with family and friends.
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Alexandra “Alex” Cattelan is Brunswick’s chief technology officer (CTO). She comes to the company with a wealth of experience in the automotive and powersports industry, most recently working for Polaris as the vice president of Engineering, Connected, Controls, Electrification and Autonomous Systems. Prior to Polaris, she worked for Stellantis, Johnson Controls, AVL North America, and General Motors.
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Peter Clark is the Chief Development Officer for Safe Harbor Marinas based in Dallas, TX. He has worked exclusively in the waterfront and marina space for 17 years, specializing in marina design, development, and construction. His role with Safe Harbor as afforded him the opportunity to have lasting impact with improving marinas in terms of member experience and operational enhancements.
Peter hails from Rhode Island where he graduated from the University of Rhode with a BS in Ocean Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer. He has been a competitive sailor since his junior years and is a member of the New York Yacht Club.
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Jack Cox, Director of Engineering Edgewater Resources
PE, D.CE, D.PE, D.NE Jack Cox is internationally recognized for his credentials in research, engineering, and design of projects involving nearshore hydrodynamics, arctic and ice processes, harbor tranquility, breakwaters, fixed and floating marine structures, dredge material disposal, shore protection, port planning, marina design, and risk analysis. He directs the planning and design of large and complex waterfront and harborworks projects around the world.
Jack is an award-winning lecturer in the topic of coastal engineering. His 45+ years of experience in the marine engineering field spans a full range, from ecologically sensitive planning through final design and construction. He provides expert witness testimony on shoreline processes, harbor and breakwater design, marinas and dockage, contaminated marine sediment dredging and capping, and nearshore recreational issues. He has authored more than fifty coastal and marina related technical publications and is an inaugural Diplomate in the Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port and Navigation Engineers with specialties in coastal, port and navigation engineering.
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Craig S. Funston, SE
Vice President of Engineering,
Bellingham Marine
144 River Road, Lynden, WA 98264
P: 360.715.0121 / C: 360.201.4193
E: cfunston@bellingham-marine.com
Bellingham Marine | www.bellingham-marine.com
Craig Funston joined Bellingham Marine in 2017 as Vice President of Engineering. Craig has extensive knowledge and experience in both structural and coastal engineering. His project portfolio includes many award-winning designs such as the USS Arizona Memorial landing dock in Honolulu and the floating 14th golf green in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Prior to joining Bellingham Marine, Mr. Funston was the owner and Principal in Charge of Redpoint Structures. He opened Redpoint in 2005 to provide marine structural engineering, testing and prototyping services to the construction community. Before launching Redpoint Structures, Mr. Funston was with the internationally recognized firm of Geiger Engineers for 19 years and served as Principal in Charge of marinas and marine structures. In addition to notable projects in the United States, Craig's designs can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Bahamas, Mexico and Canada. Mr. Funston's expertise includes both floating and fixed marinas as well as large waterfront structures.
Mr. Funston has spoken at numerous industry conferences. He is a veteran designer of floating platforms and is a well-respected expert in the field of floating structures design and engineering. Craig's work can be found in harbors around the world and has been recognized by both ASCE's COPRI division and PIANC for excellence in engineering and design.
Tyler Hackett is an experienced Coastal Engineer with a wide range of knowledge in the design and construction of coastal structures including bulkheads, rip-rap revetments, floating structures, pile supported structures, and waterfront edge planning. He has performed all tasks associated with a project from concept to construction including environmental calculations, cost estimating, project oversight, and structural stability. He has worked on projects for private clients and developers as well as for municipal and governmental agencies. His experience in the construction environment allows him to communicate efficiently and understand all aspects of a project from structural and geotechnical design to MEP and landscape design. Tyler is thoroughly familiar with the environmental processes associated with the coastal realm as well as functional and efficient design of all coastal structures.
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Heath Hansell, P.E
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Tim Mason serves as a senior principal waterfront engineer for ATM, a Geosyntec Company. With more than 29 years of experience, Tim’s expertise is coastal and waterfront engineering, including all phases of project implementation: planning and feasibility, permitting, design, plans and technical specifications, tendering/bidding, construction contract administration, monitoring, and mitigation planning. He also has performed state and federal permitting, as well as prepared international environmental impact assessments.
Tim’s project experience and locations extend along the US east coast, the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Middle East. He has planned, designed, and permitted facilities ranging from community boat ramp/waterfront access projects to large-scale, multi-faceted resort destination development projects and superyacht marinas with the full complement of utilities and other services.
He is a co-author of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Manual of Practice 50 (2012) “Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors,” specifically Chapter 3 which includes inner harbor structures, shoreline stabilization, docks, and piers. He was also a contributing author to PIANC’s Working Group Report 134, “Design and Operational Guidelines for Superyacht Facilities (2013)” and contributing author to the Report of Working Group 149 on marina design.
Tim earned a ME in Coastal & Oceanographic Engineering from the University of Florida, and a BS in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University. He is a licensed professional engineer in five states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tim leads ATM’s U.S. waterfront engineering practice from ATM’s office in St. Augustine, Florida.
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Brenda K. Reynolds
Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach, Best-Selling Author, TEDx Speaker and Change Expert
Brenda K. Reynolds, M.S., is a change agent who provides organization development and leadership solutions to Fortune 500’s, non-profits, organizations, and individuals navigating complexity. Brenda draws on her own corporate leadership roles and extensive consulting experience to equip clients with easy-to-apply strategies and inspiration. She has been trusted by clients including Special Olympics, Sherwin Williams, Downingtown School District, Moen, QVC, and McDonalds.
Brenda is author of Amazon best-seller TBD-To Be Determined: Leading with Clarity and Confidence in Uncertain Times (2017). She’s also the creator of the “Now What?” Transformation™ Clarity Card Deck and Kit. Brenda recently launched the COMING TO.GET.HER series and online community for women in leadership.
Brenda has graced the TEDx stage as a speaker on Navigating Transition Fog.
Brenda has also delighted and inspired audiences in a variety of venues, including:
- Vistage International
-The International Organization Development and Change Conference, Beijing, China
- The Designed for Impact Bermuda Women’s Conference
She is a frequent radio and podcast guest, residing in the Greater Philadelphia area, and proud mother of two amazing sons.
Marilyn Sherman is dedicated to training people to let go of obstacles and live and work with
courage, commitment, and confidence. For the last 22 years, she has motivated audiences all
over the country, and internationally with topics about hope, inspiration, and practical tools to
implement immediately.
With clients in government, corporations, and hospitality, Marilyn is known for giving people
success strategies to overcome obstacles, have a more positive mindset, and reduce
conflict in the workplace. Her live presentations and her accompanying motivational books
have been described as ‘life-changing’.
She is a graduate of Washington State University and is currently an Artist in Residence for
High Point University. Her first job in corporate America was with a finance company who saw
her management potential early on and put her into a 18-month accelerated management
program. She eventually became a training officer for that company writing and delivering
their leadership training. Marilyn worked for a seminar company before starting her own
speaking and training company. Clients that have been inspired by her keynotes include CocaCola, McDonald’s, the F.D.I.C., the US Post Office, and every kind of association from Candle
companies to Bar Association Executives, to SHRM.
She is the author of 4 motivational books including her latest on goal-setting released this year
called “Is There A Hole In Your Bucket List?”.
Marilyn is a Certified Speaking Professional ™, the highest earned designation in the speaking
profession with only 12% of speakers worldwide holding this designation.
She loves living and working in Las Vegas with her French Husband, Yves. She serves on the
board of a non-profit after school program for homeless and under-privileged youth called The
Village of Hope and is very involved with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.
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Robert Smith
Safety Consultant
Fisher Phillips LLP
1075 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 3500
Atlanta, GA 30309
O: (404) 240-4147 | C:(757) 589-5391
rsmith@fisherphillips.com
www.FisherPhillips.com
www.fpsafetysolutions.com
An experienced safety professional with a diverse background across manufacturing operations, management, business development, regulatory compliance, employee training and development, and marine and boatyard safety, Robert brings valuable skills to any organization looking to enhance their safety compliance programs. His familiarity with OSHA regulations coupled with a results-oriented approach to safety program management makes him not only a strong resource for Fisher Phillips, but an active participant in our clients’ success.
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Lori Sousa is a second-generation insurance agent with over 32 years in the industry. Having spent her entire career in the South Florida area, she has a unique understanding of the coastal issues and the placement of difficult risks. Ms. Sousa has experience as a company underwriter working in the workers compensation space as well as serving as the lead underwriter in the development of a Dive Boat program for the Marine Industry.
Ms. Sousa is well-known in the Marine Industry and is very active in the various state associations including serving as an officer for the Florida Marine Contractors Association, where in 2006 she helped write the first Marine Contractor code for workers compensation. This was also the case in the Automotive Industry where she spent a couple of years working on the board of the Women In Automotive Association.
In 2014 Lori graduated and obtained her CMIP Insurance Designation (Certified Marine Insurance Professional) from the International Institute for Marine Insurance Studies. Her expertise is not often found in the industry and her extensive knowledge of Marine Insurance.
In 2017 Lori was excited to bring Marine Insurance to other agents at the WCI360 conference last year with an introduction to marine work comp for the agent.
Ms Sousa is currently the President of Sea-Land Insurance Corp, an independent insurance agency specializing in the needs of the marine and automotive industry though out Florida and the Country.
Ms Sousa has taught many workshops on various insurance topics over the last 15 years and looks forward to teaching many more in the future. Educating both the employers and other agents has become a passion for Lori.
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Bio:
John Venneman began his career in the marina business at the ripe old age of 14 working at the Boling AFB Marina in Washington DC. He liked boats so much he went to Cal Maritime where he studied to be a ships officer. When he decided to pursue a career on land, he fell into being a Marine Surveyor in Atlanta, GA and has been there ever since. John has earned his MBA in Risk Management and Insurance from GA State, his CPCU and his AMIM.
John Venneman, CPCU, AMIM, NAMS-CMS
He/Him/His
Marine Risk Management Specialist,
Risk Engineering Services
Atlanta, GA USA
O/M 678-858-1282
E john.venneman@chubb.com
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Presenter Information
Presenter Name: Dan Williams, PLA, ASLA, AHLP
Title: Senior Landscape Architect
Company: MSA Professional Services, Inc.
Mailing Address: 1702 Pankratz Street
City/Town: Madison
State/Province: Wisconsin
ZIP/Postal Code: 53704
Country: USA
Email: dwilliams@msa-ps.com
Phone Number: (608) 216-2066 Office, (608) 335-4110 Cell
Presenter Biography
With more than 30 years of landscape architectural experience, Dan takes pride in his ability to make every project, large or small, something special. He is energized by the challenges offered by each new site and works with owners to create waterfront destinations. Dan’s design philosophy is uncomplicated and based on two foundational factors: understanding and vision. Understanding involves developing a solid comprehension of the environmental, social and economic factors related to a project. This knowledge provides a framework for building an inspiring vision for the landscape. He has managed and directed design for over 30 award-winning projects including five national recipients. Dan served as co-author for “ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No. 50: Planning and Design Guidelines for Small Craft Harbors,” Chapter 1 Planning, Environmental, and Financial Considerations. He has also been invited to speak at numerous local, state, regional and national events on the topic of marinas and waterfronts, lending his expertise across the country.
Kevin Williams is the Vice President, North American Marketing for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. He has more than 25 years of marketing experience, and most recently co-founded Fortitude Interactive Inc., a marketing technology consulting firm focused on brand strategy, content development and syndication, as well as intellectual property in the digital, social and mobile age. He has also served as head of Multicultural Marketing and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives for BMW of North America, LLC., where he facilitated multicultural marketing strategies and initiatives designed to reach, engage and motivate diverse consumers for the BMW, MINI Cooper and BMW Motorrad brands.
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Rafal Wojcik is a licensed geotechnical engineer at Dewberry Engineers, Inc. Mr. Wojcik has performed a variety of design and construction support services for waterfront and marina protection, storm hardening/coastal resiliency, preparation and implementation of subsurface investigations and testing programs, geological hazard mitigation, slope failures, and a variety of foundation systems. He has extensive experience with the design and installation of retaining walls, shallow foundations, deep excavations and deep foundation systems, seepage analysis, soil/rock slope stabilization, geologic hazard remediation, ground improvement, as well as soil and rock anchors. His responsibilities as a geotechnical engineer include design development, constructability review and analyses, geotechnical risk mitigation, construction plan development, and development of construction specifications. Rafal has worked with multiple state agencies such as NJDOT, NJTA, NJ TRANSIT, MTA, NYSDOT, PANYNJ, as well as various municipalities, county, and private clients throughout the east coast.
Mr. Wojcik earned a BS and MS from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Mr. Wojcik also serves as an adjunct professor at the University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate geotechnical engineering and geology courses.
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Carl F. Wolf, CMM CMI
World-wide, Carl is the only person with the dual designation of Certified Marina Manager (CMM) and Certified Marine Investigator (CMI). Carl has 40 plus years of wide- ranging experience in the marina and boatyard industry; offering successful background in profitable marina and boatyard operations management; consulting; facility development; and site assessments. Carl is employed by Robson Forensic, Inc., specializing in marina and boatyard facilities. Roberson Forensic is a national leader in expert witness consulting, providing technical expertise across many fields, such as the maritime industry.
Working with the International Marina Institute (IMI, an arm of the Association of the Marina Industries) and the University of Wisconsin, Carl has taught and presented on numberous occasions on various marina and boatyard issues. He is a charter CMM member, and has taught a number of times at the IMI’s Marina Management program, which is a prerequisite for the CMM certification. Carl is one of the Co-editors of the IMI’s first edition of the Marina Operations Manual, a standard in the marina industry. In 2016, Carl authored the Marina Policy Guidelines manual.
Carl is a contributing writer for Marina Dock Age magazine. His articles center on various marina operations and issues facing the marina industry.
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GREGORY J. WEYKAMP, ASLA, LEED AP, BD+C
Principal / President, Edgewater Resources, LLC
Greg Weykamp has over thirty years of experience in the planning and design of marinas and mixed-use waterfront development projects, with an emphasis on visioning, permitting, sustainability, and financial feasibility. His project experience includes planning, design, market analysis and feasibility of marina facilities ranging from the smallest facilities to more than a 1,000 slips, waterfront parks, urban redevelopment, economic development, master planned communities, parks and recreation facilities, and military installations. In addition to his consulting work, Greg is an investor/owner in marinas and mixed-use waterfront developments in Michigan, Chicago, Puerto Rico, and Belize.
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Rachael Lobeck is the Senior Manager of Public Relations at Boats Group, a global leader in online boating marketplaces, and oversees the media relations and corporate communications initiatives for the company and its brands. Her public relations and marketing career spans over a decade, with experience in various industries from radio, marine and environmental to consumer products. Rachael’s expertise comes with years of experience in thoughtful storytelling and strengthening communications strategies to amplify authentic and important narratives. Her diverse knowledge across multiple industries and organizations, coupled with her devotion to building genuine connections, has created some of the most successful public relations campaigns.
Before Boats Group, Rachael led public relations for Jazwares, a global toy and consumer products manufacturer, and 4ocean, a mission-driven business dedicated to combating the ocean plastic crisis. She also worked in the sportfishing industry for several years, where she managed event marketing and public relations for some of the largest fishing tournaments in South Florida.
Rachael received her B.A. from Florida Atlantic University in Multimedia Journalism and serves as a Committee Chair for the Marine Marketers of America.
Alisdair has spent 25 years working with hundreds of boat shows in many countries and across all sectors of the marine industry. As a former CEO of a successful, self-made digital media business, Alisdair is well-positioned to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to helping marine industry brands to understand modern consumer buying behavior and harness digital marketing strategy.
Colin Voreis
As Director, Digital Marketing for Boats Group, Colin oversees digital marketing efforts across Boat Trader, YachtWorld, boats.com and Trident Funding. He serves as the Head of Marketing for the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) business at Boat Trader and for Trident Funding, a leading rec-fi partner in the US. He focuses primarily on paid marketing, marketing analytics, ROAS, SEO and content. In his free time, he enjoys writing and shooting video for the Boat Trader, YachtWorld, and boats.com brands, covering the center console and sportfishing markets for Boat Trader and boats.com, as well as covering superyacht content for YachtWorld. Colin holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
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