Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/288177
LAUNCH www.BoatingIndustry.com April 2014 | Boating Industry | 9 We found that recreational boaters and sailors were really not very knowledgeable [about current conditions]. So our business has been to educate the boating community and activate them on behalf of the oceans. We're reaching at least 100,000 principally sailors, but boaters of any kind we consider our constituency. We have focused principally on the U.S waters, but we now have an affiliate, Sailors for the Sea Japan and another in Portugal. Our aspirations are to reach boaters worldwide. Boating Industry: How are you helping boaters take action? DAVIS: Our signature program is called Clean Regattas, a certification program that helps regattas green their events. There are 19 best practices, and regattas can do one to 19 of them, depending what level they want to be. We have certified over 550 regattas. ROCKEFELLER: We're helping boat- ers be more mindful of their actions and their impact on the oceans. Ultimately, the oceans have a big problem. We're really not the problem, but we can be a part of the solution. That's really the message. Boating Industry: What are the goals for Sailor for the Sea in 2014 and beyond? ROCKEFELLER: My goal would be to mo- bilize thousands of very active boaters in the U.S. to become an army of ocean stewards. That's a modest percentage of all the boaters. Boating Industry: How can people get involved? ROCKEFELLER: Connect to our website at Sailorsforthesea.org. We are a nonprofit, so donations, however small, are a great thing to do. I think getting active is important. When you get active and you see the impact of a beach cleanup, or do snorkeling and learn about the conditions of the corals. When we get people into the water with knowledge- able people, scientists and others, we will achieve our goals. "I spent three years traveling around the country … and found that the condition that of our coastal waters was far worse than people realized." — David Rockefeller, Jr. NAUTIC GLOBAL GROUP NAMES BRADLEY GATES NEW CEO Nautic Global Group announced that Bradley (Brad) D. Gates has been named as the company's new chief executive officer. Gates, who brings marketing, customer service and product strategy experience to NGG, succeeds the company's interim CEO James (Jim) R. Malone. Malone will continue in his role as chairman of the board of directors, and Gates will join the board as well. The succession became effective March 3. "Following an extensive search process, we are excited to welcome Brad to Nautic Global Group," said Malone. "Brad is a proven leader, with skills and experience that are a natural fit with our emphasis on quality and service. His team-oriented and high-energy style, combined with his strong professional background in marketing, customer service, after- market parts, and forward-looking product strategy for dealer- distributed manufacturers, will support our focus on execution while also positioning the company strategically as it enters its next phase of growth." Gates previously served as the President of EMEA (Europe/ Middle East/Africa) at Capital Safety Group, a privately owned company engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of fall pro- tection safety equipment. In this role, Gates developed strategic plans to drive growth, customer service enhancements, and profitability, successfully turning around the company's EMEA business per- formance and results. Before joining Capital Safety Group in 2007, Gates progressed through business and marketing roles of increasing responsibility at Minnesota-based The Toro Company. "I am honored to have been selected as Nautic Global's new CEO," said Gates. "I am excited by the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for the company and am committed to its success. I look forward to working closely with the talented senior leadership INDUSTRY NEWS Continued on page 10 BRAD GATES P08x11-BI14APR-Launch.indd 9 3/13/14 4:07 PM