Biz Buzz: Chesapeake Business News

Top 100 Dealer

Pocket Yacht Company has been named one of the Top 100 Dealers in North America by Boating Industry, the leading trade publication for the marine industry. “Out of the thousands of boat dealers across North America, only the best make the Top 100 list,” says Adam Quandt, director of the Boating Industry Top 100 Program. “The Top 100 is about more than just revenue. While financial success is important, we look at factors including business and marketing strategies, service department efficiency and profitability, customer service, and advocacy for the industry. These Top 100 dealers stand out for their stand-out performance in all areas of their business.” “We are elated to receive the Boating Industry’s Top 100 Dealer Award for the second year in a row,” says managing director and owner, Mark Schulstad. “Our team works hard to earn this award every year, we are constantly looking for ways to better serve our customers to give them the most positive experience on and off of the water.” The Top 100 is the only independent ranking of boat dealers in North America. pocketyachtco.com

# Jake and Laura Iversen with daughter, Sky

New Marina

The marina, formerly known as Backyard Boats, in Shady Side, MD, was sold in 2021 and has been rebranded Parish Creek Landing. The new owners have been hard at work refreshing the marina with recent improvements including a new 20-ton travel lift, new forklift, new indoor boat racks, new concrete pad, new service team, new bathrooms (in progress), and others. The full-service marina has over 100 wet slips, an indoor boatel, outdoor racks, and trailer parking. Steve Schwat, one of the partners in the marina and a Shady Side homeowner notes: “We are excited to revive and improve the old marina, impress our current customers and attract new clients. Parish Creek Landing is centrally located, just south of the mouth of the West River and offers a short “no-wake” zone to the Bay. It is close to all the boating and entertainment on the West and South Rivers and just north of Deale. The marina has specials for new customers so give them a call to go for a tour. parishcreeklanding.com

Accreditation Program

After two years of research, consultation, and fine-tuning, the ABYC Foundation launched the first official Marine Trades Accreditation Program (MTAP) for schools teaching marine service. MTAP is designed to ensure quality training that is aligned with industry needs, at both high school and post-secondary schools, ultimately creating a bigger and stronger pipeline for much needed entry-level workers. The road to accreditation starts with becoming an “ABYC Foundation Affiliated School,” a designation open to all schools that wish to take advantage of the benefits available, including ABYC membership with deep discounts on instructor and student training, access to ABYC standards, and industry outreach. Schools that wish to continue on to accreditation must complete a substantial application process, pass board review and an on-site visit, and the school must maintain professional development and academic training for instructors. “Over the years, ABYC has developed a lot of resources for schools including a textbook, workbook, and the Marine Service Technology curriculum,” said Margaret Podlich, ABYC Foundation executive director. “The Foundation publishes a biweekly newsletter, hosts the Educator Training Conference, and Educator of the Year Award, all pointed at the marine service instructor. MTAP is a natural next step to providing the gold seal of approval recognizing top-level programs. A free informational webinar will take place Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. EST to review the MTAP program and address questions. For more information about MTAP and ABYC Foundation Affiliated schools, please visit teachboats.org.

New Leadership

Longtime Watermark president Debbie Gosselin has retired, turning over the business to Watermark general manager of vessel activities and longtime family friend Jake Iversen and his wife Laura. “While this may come as a surprise to some, we have been planning the hand-off for some time,” Gosselin explained. “I couldn’t be more confident of entrusting the stewardship of this organization to Jake. He is passionate about Watermark and everything it stands for. As the new president of Watermark, Jake is well-poised to lead the business to success as it enters the next 50 years,” Gosselin said. “I couldn’t be happier and more honored to take the helm at Watermark,” Jake Iversen said. “Debbie and her father before her have built a strong, vibrant company. Watermark’s biggest asset, though, is the Watermark team.” Iversen, the son and grandson of Coast Guardsmen, takes the helm at Watermark after five years as general manager of vessel activities, a position that provided him intimate knowledge of the boats and the operations of the business. He graduated from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, where he earned a Merchant Mariner Credential clearing him as an officer on any sized vessel. He worked at sea for several years in international shipping on multiple types of vessels. “He was at sea for more than 200 days a year,” Laura Iversen explained. “He began driving Harbor Queen during his time home and fell in love with Watermark and the culture of the company. When Debbie asked him to come work at Watermark full-time, he left the shipping industry and started as GM so he could work closer to home.” Jake and Laura are both born and raised in the Annapolis area, where they live with 10-year-old Sky and their yellow Lab Rudder. Laura has worked in business development and nonprofit leadership, most recently as executive director for Start the Adventure in Reading. She resigned last year to assist in the acquisition of Watermark and the transition of ownership. What’s next for Gosselin after 25 years leading Watermark? “There is much on my bucket list, and my husband and I look forward to putting some checks on that list while still in good health. Five grandchildren and some travel come first to mind,” she said. watermarkjourney.com

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