Boating Industry

July 2017

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26 | Boating Industry | July 2017 [ 40 Under 40 ] www.BoatingIndustry.com What was your first job? Launch Operator at Seymour's Boat Yard. What is your favorite place to go boating? Block Island Sound and the Elizabethan Islands. What boat did you learn to boat on? My father and I built a plywood skiff when I was about 10. I outgrew it by about 12 and then we had the obligatory 13-foot Boston whaler. Who was your hero as a child? Batman. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? Bob Johnston and Barry Carroll. JIM JABAAY Vice president, LotVantage What first drew you to the industry? I grew up spending summers on the water at Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind., and gained a love for boating. What was your first job? Working for the family car dealership and then outside sales at Manheim Auto Auction. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Landing our first boating industry OEM partner with Centurion-Supreme boats at LotVantage. What is your favorite place to go boating? Typically we spend most of our time boating on Tampa Bay, but my favorite spot is to take the trip out of Naples, Fla., to Keewaydin Island. What boat did you learn to boat on? 1989 Sport Nautique. I can still remember the day we got the boat. Who was your hero as a child? Michael Jordan. Hands down. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? My father has been the person that taught me a lot about running a successful business while also teaching me the passion for watersports. Under- standing the challenges in running a dealership, helps me teach our team to relate our products and services to the dealership world. LINDSEY JOHNSON Director of communications, West Marine What first drew you to the industry? I grew up on the shores of Long Island Sound in Milford, Conn., aboard my family's boats. My first opportunity to work in the marine in- dustry was as an editorial intern for Yachting magazine in 1999. My dad was a passionate Yachting reader and fan. He suggested that I call the editor and ask if they accepted interns. So I listened. What was your first job? My very first full-time job in the industry was as a staff writer for Soundings Trade Only magazine. I started in July 2001 and worked there for nearly four years before relocating to Chicago in 2005. What boat did you learn to boat on? When I was in grade school, my parents had a 16-foot aluminum fishing boat. So that was my first on-water boating experience. Who was your hero as a child? Growing up, my hero was my dad. I was in awe of him and his commanding and charismatic presence. He was larger than life: Confident in his endeavors, liked by everyone, threw heart and soul in everything he did … he truly wore his heart on his sleeve, and I loved that. I wanted to be just like him. And I hope that I've done him proud. I lost my dad in 1999 to pancreatic cancer. But he lives on for me through all my wonderful boating memories. The water was his favorite place in the world. VANESSA KRAUS Director of marketing, Sea Tow Services International, Inc. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Growing to my current position at Sea Tow has been very fulfilling and is a job of which I am very proud and love to do. I work with an in- credible team of people who share a vision and passion for our industry – and our network of captains are simply the best! What is your favorite place to go boating? Peconic Bay is one of the most beautiful places to boat. That is where we watch July 4th fire- works, go skiing and wakeboarding with family. Plus, my husband has great memories on these waters as a child — it is a special place. Who was your hero as a child? My mom. She has always been my biggest fan, closest confidant and the person who made me believe I was capable of great things. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? My father has had a big impact on my personal drive and determination – he's always told me I could overcome any hurdle in my path and that hard work is rewarded. I've also been blessed with three women – Cindy, Yvonne and Jenny, – who have guided me through my career, men- tored me along the way and have always been selfless when it came to their knowledge, time, experience and support. PAUL KUCK Director of product development & marketing, Regal Boats What was your first job? Marketing assistant — Most of my time revolved around photo shoots, cleaning boats, running

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