Forty years ago, as a 21-year-old, newly minted certified public accountant with more ambition than experience, I walked into Spencer Boat Co., a highly respected South Florida boatyard and marina, for my first client assignment. As a born-and-raised Florida boy, I appreciated the opportunity to work with such a great company that was so connected to the Florida lifestyle. However, I could not have imagined the assignment would launch a four-decade journey in an industry that would shape my career, my character and many of my closest friendships.
The marine industry has provided me with opportunities beyond what I could have imagined. From meeting wonderful people to seeing the world, and dealing with plenty of challenges along the way, it is an industry that has never been dull. And I have learned so much.
As I prepare to step down after 20 years as Correct Craft CEO, I simply want to say thank you.
Thank you to the innovators who push boundaries and refuse to accept "good enough." Thank you to the craftsmen and women whose pride in their work turns raw materials into something that inspires families, creates lifelong memories and provides a good living for us all. Thank you to the dealers, suppliers, partners and teammates who show up every day determined to serve customers with excellence. And thank you to the customers whose passion for life on the water gives purpose to everything we do.
Thank you for having faith in me to serve on your industry boards. Over the past four decades you have trusted me to serve on the boards of the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association (ABBRA), the International Marina Institute (IMI), Association or Marina Industries (AMI), American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and many more. And I was honored to serve you as the NMMA Board Chair for two and a half years.
Thank you for letting me represent you. I have made countless trips to Washington, D.C., to represent our industry. While representing us on cabinet-level advisory councils during the Obama and Trump administrations; attending numerous meetings on Capitol Hill with senators, representatives and their staff; and nine visits to the White House, including one in the Oval Office, I did my best to champion our interests.
Thank you for listening to my presentations. You invited me to your dealer meetings, conferences and summits. All over the globe, you showed up when I spoke, giving me an opportunity to share what I have learned. I have been energized by our industry's thirst to learn and improve.
And of course, thank you for engaging with my writing over the years. It has been a privilege to write hundreds of articles and nine books with the hope of encouraging growth, strengthening leadership and helping people become better — personally and professionally. I'm deeply grateful that you took the time to read them, and even more grateful for the thoughtful and generous feedback so many of you have shared along the way. And thanks to Soundings Trade Only and many other publications that have printed and published what I had to share.
Thanks to those of you who have worked closely with me while we have tried to positively impact the world, making life better for everyone with whom we come in contact. Unfortunately, there are too many of you to name, but I am thinking of those of you who have been in the trenches with me, sometimes moving slowly but never moving backward.
Finally, thanks to Ed Bronstien, Jim Bronstien and Daryle Doden. These men took the ultimate risk on me, putting their money on the line. I am happy that together we were able to not only create value, but also positively impact those around us.
The marine industry is more than boats and engines. It is about freedom, adventure, family, stewardship, legacy and making memories. It is about early mornings on glassy water, late afternoons with children learning watersports and quiet sunsets on the lake that remind us why we work so hard in the first place.
I have had the privilege of serving alongside extraordinary people — people of integrity, resilience, creativity and faith. Together, we have navigated economic cycles, competitive pressures, global pandemic and rapid change. Through it all, the character of this industry has remained strong.
Serving in the marine industry has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Any contributions I have made have only been possible because of the trust, support and partnership of so many of you.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Thank you for your friendship. And thank you for making the past 40 years far more meaningful than I ever could have imagined. I love this industry and its people. I truly wish you all the best.
Bill Yeargin is a 40-year marine industry veteran and CEO of Correct Craft. He has written nine books including the best seller, Education of a CEO.