Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/288177
www.BoatingIndustry.com 8 | Boating Industry | April 2014 LAUNCH Analysis, data, solutions, news and perspectives to move your business forward. www.BoatingIndustry.com BY JONATHAN SWEET Dominion Marine Media kicked off the Miami International Boat Show by nam- ing David Rockefeller, Jr., as the 2013 YachtWorld Hero. (For more coverage from Miami, be sure to check out the Industry News section start- ing on p. 9) Now in its third year, the YachtWorld Heroes initiative recognizes individuals and their organizations that have leveraged their love and respect for our oceans, rivers, lakes and streams into a higher consciousness among boaters and the general public. Rockefeller, chairman and founder of Sail- ors for the Sea, was voted 2013 YachtWorld Hero from among five finalists by an inde- pendent group of boating journalists and marine industry members. As a passionate sailor and lifelong friend of the environment, he set out in 2004 to create an organization that could speak with one voice for sailors' interests in protecting the ocean. Since then, Rockefeller has helped Sailors for the Sea find meaningful ways to take on the challenges that increasingly put marine life and coastal environments at risk. "Ten years ago, Sailors for the Sea was founded with a dream and a deep love for the ocean. It is quite an honor to be named the 2013 YachtWorld Hero, and speaks to the excitement that the boating community feels for this organization, and for protecting the oceans upon which we sail," Rockefeller said. Under Rockefeller's leadership, Sailors for the Sea has thrived, steadily raising its profile and growing its programs, including Clean Regattas, a certification program that helps sailing events implement sustainability practices and achieve higher environmental standards. Its adoption by the America's Cup in San Francisco led to an 81-point plan to minimize any negative environmental im- pacts of the event. The other four finalists were Joel Aberbach, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; Betsy Alison, Para- lympic coach for the U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider; Dieter Paulmann, Okeanos Foun- dation for the Sea; and Jeanne Socrates, who completed a single-handed, nonstop circum- navigation of the globe at age 70. After the announcement, Boating Indus- try caught up with Sailors for the Sea presi- dent Mark Davis and Rockefeller to learn more about the nonprofit organization he started in 2004. Boating Industry: How did Sailors for the Sea get started? ROCKEFELLER: Let me give you a quick history. In the early part of this century, there were two national commissions studying the health of the oceans. There was a Senate commission and there was a private commis- sion financed by the Pew Charitable Trust. I was asked to serve as a commissioner on the Pew commission. I spent three years travel- ing around the country … and found that the condition of our coastal waters was far worse than people realized. Most dramatic was the declining fish pop- ulation. This had been going on for 50 years, but we were just waking up to the fact that our capacity to catch fish – I'm not talking about recreational fishing, I'm talking about commercial – had way exceeded the ability of the fishing stock to rebound. I'm not a professional in this field, but I'm a lifelong sailor and I thought, "What could I do?" So I decided I'd use my sailing back- ground as a way to form a new organization to encourage my sailing buddies to get active on these issues. Boating Industry: What are the goals of the organization? ROCKEFELLER: The premise is that there are people who love a part of nature, who love the recreation and want to protect their access to it. Dominion names Rockefeller as YachtWorld Hero David Rockefeller receiving his award from Dominion senior vice president Ian Atkins. "Quote." – Name, title, Company 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- P08x11-BI14APR-Launch.indd 8 3/13/14 4:07 PM