MARINEMAX AWARDS TRIP
JANUARY 6-9, 2025
Manny Alvare
General Counsel – Team Support
Accompanied By: Carlie Alvare
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always be happy. Never be satisfied.
Mike Andersen
Chairman's Circle – Excelsior
Accompanied By:
Lisa Andersen
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Every person you meet knows more about something than you do.
Karl
Anderson General Manager – Charleston
Accompanied
By:
Kaylyn Baucom Anderson
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If you don't like being on the 2nd team, then get on the 1st team!
Kevin Anderson
Chairman's Circle – Nisswa
Accompanied By: Alexis Anderson
Ellison Apgar
Parts Manager – St. Petersburg
Accompanied By: Shannon Apgar
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Andrew Armao
Service Manager – Miami
Accompanied By: Kelly Armao
Always look where you want to go! What is the best piece of advice you've ever
been given?
Bill Barnett
Parts Manager – Fort Myers
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do smaller loads of laundry.
Kelley Barry
Multimedia Manager – Team Support
Ben Beecher
Chairman's Circle – Lake Ozark
Accompanied By: Nicole Beecher
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
God helps those who help themselves.
Andrey Belov
VP of Technology – Team Support
Accompanied By: Eugenia Belov
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
The faintest pencil is better than the sharpest memory.
Shawn Berg EVP and Chief Digital Officer – Team Support
Accompanied By: Andrea Berg
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
Raul Bermudez
VP of Charter Yacht Sales – Team Support
Accompanied By: Kelly Bermudez
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Nothing
good happens after midnight.
Dave Bigge
VP MarineMax Vacations – Team Support
Accompanied By: Linda Henely
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Help others get what they want and you will always have all that you want.
Rachel Bigge
Real Estate Portfolio Manager – Team Support
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If you're going to do something, do it right.
Kit Bodree
Chairman's Circle – Pensacola
Accompanied By: Rachel Madril
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Stay close with the Lord, but chase your dream.
Joe Brenna
VP of Customer Support – Intrepid Powerboats
Accompanied By: Hilary Brenna
Terri Bryan Marina Manager – Fort Myers
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Everyone can be replaced… so never stop trying to do your best and be your best.
Russell Burns
General Manager – Houston
Accompanied By: Joan Burns
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do not be emparrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.
Mike Busacca
COO – Fraser Yachts
Accompanied By: Jessica Busacca
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A decision is better than no decision.
Frank Camarda
Chairman's Circle – Naples
Accompanied
By:
Makenzie Camarda
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Time is your most valuable asset.
Matt Cappiello
General Manager – Pompano
Accompanied
By:
Colleen Cappiello
Be the BEST VERSION of yourself each day! What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Chuck Cashman
Chief Revenue Officer– Team Support
Accompanied By: Janet Cashman
The best never lose, they either win or learn. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Al Cassella
Business Manager – Clearwater
Accompanied
By:
Lisa Cassella
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Tough times don't last but tough people do.
Anthony Cassella
EVP and Chief Acct Officer – Team Support
Accompanied By: Heather Cassella
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never stop learning.
Tyler Choyke General Manager – Venice
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never make an important decision when you are angry or upset.
Ken Clinton
Intrepid Powerboats
Accompanied By: Rebecca Lancashire
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Discipline will take you places motivation can't.
Jim Connor
Vice President – Naples
Accompanied By: Leigh Connor
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If a hurricane doesn't leave you dead, it will make you strong! Don't try to explain it, nod your head, breathe in, breathe out, move on…. Stay Calm - Jimmy Buffett
Dan Cook
Service
Manager
– Pensacola
Accompanied By: Michele Cook
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Keep improving everyday and don't worry about taking credit.
Jacob Coyle
Chairman's Circle – Clearwater
Accompanied By: Meghan Coyle
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
The first rule is…. There are no rules.
Chad Crouch
Chairman's Circle – Pompano
Daniel Deaibes
Chairman's Circle – Pensacola
Accompanied By: Christy Deaibes
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Attitude is everything. "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."
Carrie Dennison
F&I Op & Training Manager – Team Support
Accompanied By: Jaime Loomis
Read 'The Four Agreements', and reread it every year. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Steve DePaul
VP of Accounting – Team Support
Accompanied
By:
Erin DePaul
Mark DiMatteo
Chairman's Circle – Norwalk
Accompanied By: Betsy DiMatteo
do the right thing. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always
Sean Doyle Chairman's
Circle – Pompano
Accompanied By: Vallery Gonzalez
Dave Dzurilla
General
Manager
– Norwalk
Accompanied By: Maria
Dzurilla
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Not everything is going to go your way, learn to adapt, adjust and try again.
Jane Early
Marina Manager – Sarasota
Accompanied By: Nick Lovisa
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Live each day like you can't go on the water tomorrow. Never stop networking and putting yourself out there for every opportunity that presents a new challenge or path. Life's one big adventure and we're all on a path to happiness, enjoy it!
Jesse Ebert
Fixed Operations Manager – Fort Myers
Accompanied By: Lindsay Ebert
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. LISTEN
David Eckart
Fixed Operations Manager – Dania
Accompanied
By:
Jodi Eckart
If you never try, you will never know. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Mark Elliot
Service Manager – Norwalk
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't sweat the small things, and everything is small.
Adam Emanuele
Business Manager – Lake Lanier
Accompanied By: Catherine Kim
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Write down your goals and reference them daily.
Steve English
CEO – IGY Marinas
Mike Field
Business Manager – Clearwater
Accompanied
By:
Donna Field
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't get a marine biology degree, get an accounting degree. - My Grandmother
Brandon Flaherty
Chairman's Circle – Fort Myers
Accompanied By: Kristina Flaherty
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't quit.
Erik Forsberg
District President – Rogers
Accompanied By:
Katie Wilson
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You only have to do something until you want to.
Jordan Franklin IGY Marinas
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Lead with kindness, strength will follow.
Jack Fulford
Director Construction & Development – Midcoast
Accompanied
By:
Jennifer Fulford
Your word is your bond. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Daniel Galaviz
Service & Parts
Accompanied
Manager – Naples
By:
Anna Galaviz
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Be still, focus, you are cut from a different cloth.
Beth Garland
Senior VP, People Strategy – Team Support
Accompanied By: Taylor Garland
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Listen closely and take a breath before responding.
Christian Gonzalez
District President – Miami
Accompanied By: Christine Fernandez
Gabriel Gonzalez
Chairman's Circle – St. Petersburg
Accompanied By: Amy Gonzalez
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
People do not care how much you know until they know about how much you care.
Dotson Guice
Chairman's Circle – Charleston
Accompanied
By:
Courtney Guice
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
My dad always told me to "buy experiences, not things."
Brian Haase
Parts Manager – Nisswa
Accompanied By: Molly Haase
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Dale Hardison
Business Manager – Lake Ozark
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Learn from losses: A loss is only a loss if you don't learn from it.
Jason Hatcher
General Manager – Fort Walton Beach
Accompanied By:
Jennifer Hatcher
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Surround yourself with people that make your job easy.
Abbey Heimensen VP of Marketing – Team Support
Accompanied By: Collin Heimensen
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always practice self-respect. Remember that kindness is not weakness. Stand up for yourself, and don't let others treat you as a doormat. Respecting yourself is just as important as respecting others.
Collin Heimensen
General
Manager
– Clearwater
Accompanied By: Abbey Heimensen
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Drive fast and take chances.
Michael Herron
General Manager – Kent Island
Accompanied
By:
Darcie Herron
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Trust God.
Jake Hill
Director of Retail Insurance – Newcoast
Accompanied By: Laura Hill
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Carl Holbrooks
General Manager – Lake Wylie
Accompanied
By:
Mel Holbrooks
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
To have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dawn Hunt
Director of Human Resources – Team Support
Accompanied By: Dave Hunt
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life.
Nick Hutchinson
Chairman's Circle – Clearwater
Accompanied By: Libby Hutchinson
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You don't get what you don't ask for.
Jackson Chairman's Circle – Wrightsville Beach
Accompanied
By:
Angie Jackson
Joe
Brian Kemmis
Chairman's Circle – Fort Myers
Accompanied By: Trudi Kemmis
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Make those couple of extra phone calls every day.
Jim Kendall Chairman's Circle – Crosslake
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always do your best and
the rest will
follow.
Gregg Kopp
Chairman's Circle – Miami
Accompanied
By: Amy Kopp
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always consider the long term.
Aaron Kramer
District President – Pensacola
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Life happens for you, for your growth. Meet the moment.
Anders Kurten
CEO – Fraser Yachts
Accompanied By:
Kelly Kurten
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
It's not about you. It's about the team.
Kyle Langbehn
EVP and President of Retail Operations – Team Support
Accompanied By:
Paula Langbehn
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Plan your work and work your plan.
Bruce LaPorta
Senior Service Manager – Team Support
Accompanied
By:
Tiora LaPorta
If you are going to do something, do it. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Doug Larsen
General Manager – Brick
Accompanied
By:
Kate Borelli
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Take care of your people and your people will take care of you.
Joshua Lavine
District President – Jupiter
Accompanied By: Jessica Lavine
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
The better job you do by surrounding yourself with good people, the easier your job becomes. ~Bill McGill
Dale Law
General Manager – Lake Ozark
Accompanied By: Susan Law
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way your wife told you.
Tyler
Layton President, Financial Services – Team Support
Accompanied By: Meghan Layton
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Decentralize until you are uncomfortable, then decentralize some more.
Jason LeFevre
District
President
– Sarasota
Accompanied By: Ashley Furrow
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
The greatest satisfaction in life is doing the things that people say you cannot do!
Michael Lennon
Chairman's Circle – Huntington
Accompanied By: Michele Lennon
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
And just remember - Honesty + Integrity are just words, until they are put to the test. ~Charles Wang
Justin Lindhorst
Chairman's Circle – St. Petersburg
Accompanied
By:
Tiffany Lindhorst
Crom Littlejohn
CCO – Northrup & Johnson
Accompanied By: Lourdes Perez
Sam Lowrey
VP of Real Estate – Team Support
Accompanied By: Stefanie Lowrey
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
The best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.
Jim Lynes General Manager – Savannah
Accompanied
By:
Allison Lynes
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never go to bed angry with your spouse.
Steve Mandarino Senior Business Manager – Team Support
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Stay humble.
Morgan Mayer
Parts Manager – Lake Ozark
Accompanied By: Abby Mayer
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always live by the golden rule, treat others the way that you want to be treated.
Bill McGill Founder
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Surround yourself with A players and let them know that you care about them and their family.
What
Brett McGill Chief Executive Officer – Team Support
Accompanied
By:
Vicki McGill
is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Surround yourself with great people in all parts of your life, business and personal.
Robert McIntosh
Chairman's Circle – Naples
Accompanied By: Brianna McIntosh
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A wrong decision is often better than indecision.
Mike McLamb Chief Financial Officer – Team Support
Accompanied
By:
Kari McLamb
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Hire people stronger than you and give them the resources to perform.
Sam Melvin
VP of internal Audit – Team Support
Accompanied
By:
Danny Tataris
Kevin Merrigan
Chairman – Northrup & Johnson
Accompanied By:
Mariette Merrigan
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Hire slow, fire fast.
Heather Mess
National Marina Manager – Team Support
Accompanied By: Maria Dearwester
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Embrace change, because it's the only constant.
Karla Millan
National Events & Partner Manager – Team Support
Joseph Mirra
Busisness
Manager – St. Petersburg
Accompanied By: Jeanette Mirra
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
There are two wolves in your life that are always fighting. One represents darkness and disparity and the other represents light and hope. The one who wins is the one you feed.
John Mondelli General Manager – Somers Point
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Go above and beyond and your customers will always come back and bring their friends.
Fred Moore
General Manager – Huntington
Accompanied By: Cheryl
Moore
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Treat others how you want to be treated.
Gus Morales
Business Manager – Pompano
Accompanied
By:
Rigel Semprum
The harder you work, the luckier you will be. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Ryan Myers Director of Finance – Newcoast
Accompanied By: Paige Myers
It's not how you start, it's how you finish. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Charles Nelson
General Manager – Lake Hopatcong
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Time is precious, waste it wisely.
Alessandra Nenci
CFO,
EVP – MarineMax Superyacht Division
Accompanied By: Andrea Carlevaris
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
I am in a hurry, so I slow down!
Todd Nicol
Chairman's Circle – Fort Worth
Accompanied By: Kyndal Nicol
Gayle Niedenfuer Director of Operations – Team Support
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Lead with patience and kindness.
Scott Nowak
Chairman's Circle – Excelsior
Accompanied By: Leah Nowak
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You only go around one time, you might as well enjoy it!
TJ Ortmann
Fixed Operations Manager – Rogers
Accompanied By:
Meghan Bruggeman
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
What you focus on, expands. Focus on what you can control.
Caleb Peavler
General Manager – St. Petersburg
Accompanied By: Alissa Peavler
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
“Conflict leads to intimacy.” (…If you work through it) This quote is relevant for spouses, Team-members, peers, management up and down.
Mark Pedersen
President – Cruisers Yacht
Accompanied
By:
Linda Pedersen
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do something hard and difficult and it will narrow the number of competitors.
Jim Pettit
Senior Service Manager – Team Support
Accompanied By: Bernadete Trichez
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Only worry about problems you can control.
Janaina Pina
Chairman's Circle – Pompano
Accompanied By: Nildson Pina
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You are not what happened to you, you are what you choose to become.
Jim Pinkham
Chairman's Circle – Lake Norman
Accompanied By: Susan Pinkham
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots ~ Albert Einstein
Jay Rasmussen Regional President – Midwest Region
Accompanied By: Mindy Rasmussen
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do all of the small things well and the larger success will follow.
Ken Reda General Manager – Ocean Reef
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You don't have to remember as much when you tell the truth.
Dillon Reppart
General Manager – Dallas
Accompanied By: Taylor Van Roekel
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If you want to play hard, you must work harder.
Carl Richards
Service
Manager – Somers Point
Accompanied By: Janene Richards
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You don't know what you don't know.
Matt Rienks
Parts Manager – Wrightsville Beach
Accompanied By: Keni Rienks
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never stop learning.
Todd Riepe EVP of Operations – SkipperBud's
Accompanied By: Janie Riepe
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Life is 10% of what happens to me, and 90% of how I react to it!
Chris Rimmer
Williams Tenders USA
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out and meet it.
Andy Rishovd
National Service & Parts Manager – Team Support
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never stop learning and growing as a person.
Todd Ritter
General Manager – Lake Norman
Accompanied By: Maggie Ritter
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do what you can to do something you love, and be mindful when someone out there cares about it.
Alex Rizo
VP of Sales – Intrepid Powerboats
Accompanied By: Lizette Rizo
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Always treat others as you would want them to treat you.
TJ Rose
Regional President – Mid-Atlantic Region
Accompanied By: Jill Rose
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Everything happens for a reason–challenging experiences lead to growth and new opportunities–be patient.
Chris Shanabrook
Business Manager – Sarasota
Accompanied
By:
Kristi Shanabrook
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Just be yourself.
Laura Sherrod
Director of Yacht Insurance – Newcoast
Accompanied
By:
Scott Sherrod
Always
Cory Simpson
Business Manager – Lake Ozark
Accompanied
By:
Marley Simpson
Carrington Smart
Area Manager – Wrightsville Beach
Accompanied
By:
Bette Smart
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Stay focused and sleep on any important decision.
Jack Smith
Business Manager – Charleston
Accompanied By: Alora Harrison-Smith
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
He who dares, wins.
Justine Stellin
Private Client Group
Accompanied By: Joe Stellin
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
You can accomplish anything you want to if you put your mind to it.
Robert Stirling
General Manager – Panama City
Accompanied By: Amneris Sterling
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never stop learning.
James Sullivan
Director of Inventory Management – Team Support
Accompanied By:
Shannon Sullivan
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Treat others as you want to be treated.
Kerry Taylor VP of Operations – Newcoast
Johnny Timmons
Chairman's
Circle – Houston
Accompanied By: Jessica Timmons
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Zero speed equals zero damage.
Ben Tompkins
Service Manager – Fort Myers
Accompanied By: Jeanette Bratcher
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If you can figure out how it works, you can figure out how to fix it.
Michael Tyrrell
Chairman's Circle – Pompano
Accompanied
By:
Melodie Tyrrell
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Julie Valladares
Private Client Group
Accompanied By: Paul Cummings
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
From my Grandfather: Pa'lante, pa'lante y para atras ni para coger impulso.
Harald Van Exem
Director of Yacht Services – Fraser Yachts
Accompanied By: Caroline Van Exem
Follow your passion. What
is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Rob Villani
Senior Business Manager – Team Support
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Slow it down to speed it up.
Kyle Vollenweider
Private Client Group
Accompanied
By:
Virginia Vollenweider
wife, happy life. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Happy
Amanda Ward
Director of Marketing Technology – Team Support
Accompanied
By:
Spencer Ward
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never stop learning and growing.
Roger Watson
Service
Manager
– St. Petersburg
Accompanied By:
Lindsay Watson
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
When a challenge presents itself, deal with it and move on.
Michael Wescott
Sales Manager – Pewaukee
Accompanied By: Kristy Wescott
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Hustle beats talent, when talent doesn't hustle.
Ryan West Vice President – Fort Myers
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
If you think you are the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.
Lori White
Marina Manager – Venice
Accompanied By: Christina McKee
is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Treat others how you want to be treated!
Brent Wiczek
General Manager – Nisswa
Accompanied By: Heather Wiczek
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
It's only a good deal if it's good for you and me.
Jeremy Wiczek
Sales Manager – Nisswa
Accompanied By: Kelly Wiczek
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
When growing in business and in life, don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.
Brad Wiese
VP, Motor Yachts – Pompano Yacht Center
Accompanied By: Gail Wiese
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
It's OK to be wrong. But never forget the lesson it teaches you.
Jeff Wilson General Manager – Jacksonville
Accompanied By: Teresa Wilson
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Never stop learning.
Sean Wilson
Intrepid Powerboats
Accompanied By: Rosanna Wilson
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Work hard, stay positive, stay humble, and always be willing to learn.
Jay Wissman Senior Service Manager – Team Support
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do what you like and do it honestly.
Gili Wojnowich
Vice President, Direct of Operations – IGY
Accompanied By:
Meredith Wojnowich
You are your own best advocate. What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Dan Zenz
VP of Sales – Cruisers Yachts
Accompanied By: Rama Zenz
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Daniel
Ziriakus COO, EVP – MarineMax Superyacht Division
Accompanied
By:
Daniella Ziriakus
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Make your future bigger than your past.