NYBA is excited to share the list of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election, which occurs December 9th - December 19th, 2024. There are (2) Business Member seats open. Each seat is a three year term, beginning January 1, 2025 and running through December 31, 2027.
Eligible Voters: "Business Members" and "Business Member-Individuals" are the only eligible voters in this election. Because there are no Affiliate seats open, Affiliate members will not be voting in this election.
Business Associate memberships are non-voting memberships.
NEW for 2024: The Board of Directors voted to adjust the requirements for casting a ballot. You now must vote for (2) candidates, as there are (2) seats open.
Please take some time to review the candidate statements below and then click here to cast your vote!
Business Member Candidates: (2) Seats Available
All Candidate Statements were submitted by the candidates, no edits were made by NYBA Staff; statements were limited to 300 words.
Curtis Adams
Bristol Yachts Northwest
I offer my time and service to help NYBA promote the needs of our organization.
The Marine industry has been my lifelong career. I have been an active member of NYBA for decades. Having supported various boards including the advisory board at my local marina, current member of the board in the building where my office is located, and participated in the NYBA Boat Show and Grow Boating committees, I feel that I would be a positive asset.
Through my career I have participated in numerous boats shows in a variety of states and countries. I have seen what works and what doesn't, as well as what NYBA has tried in the past. I can share these experiences to improve the organization and our shows.
Thanks for your consideration.
Diego Gomez Hall
Worth Avenue Yachts
As a yacht broker with more than 20 years of industry experience, I have had the opportunity to help clients experience the freedom and joy of being on the water, and build skills and connections to inspire confidence onboard their yachts.
My passion and dedication to the industry has enabled me to live and work internationally from Australia, to Monaco, and all over the US, working in all aspects of the industry from sailing to superyachts, and hospitality to maintenance. I enjoy gaining a holistic view of the industry and I find my clients appreciate this perspective. I pride myself on the relationships I’ve developed within the yachting community, enabling me to assemble the best possible team to cover every expertise to support my clients.
My approach to yacht sales is founded in my core values: doing the right thing is always the right thing, innovation is necessary and good, knowledge is power, and relationships are everything.
As a Director of NYBA I would like to bring a global perspective from the next generation of industry professionals, and encourage engagement, innovation, transparency, and camaraderie. In turn I hope to further cement NYBA’s role in providing our clients with better service, value, education, and confidence in our industry.
Thank you for your consideration and please take some time to learn more about me at www.diegogomezhall.com/about-diego.
Gretchen Miles
Waterline Boats
My history with yachts and boats began years ago. First, with a restored Sterling waterski boat; progressively growing and embracing the lifestyle from smaller weekend recreational boats to our current 2003 Jefferson 64 Pilothouse which I live aboard with my husband, Ron, and dog, Gracie.
I was motivated to become a yacht broker while experiencing the process of buying and selling our personal boats and began working with Waterline Boats, LLC in late 2014. Currently, I am also the manager of the Waterline Boats office at the Port of Everett.
To expand my opportunities and continued professional development, I qualified for the CPYB designation in 2020 and I received my 100-ton Captain license in 2022.
I am a member of the NYBA Boats Afloat Show committee and an active member with the Everett Yacht Club.
I believe I will contribute to and help elevate our organization by sharing our goals of professionalism, integrity, transparency and education. Our professional organization is growing; I have passion, perspective, and possess good leadership skills.
Thank you for your consideration!
Amy Thornton
BananaBelt Boats
I’ve grown up on the waters here in the Northwest – I've dented my share of docks in Lake Washington as a teenager and there are at least three fishing poles marking the way from Shilshole to Rosario Resort compliments of yours truly. My dad started selling boats right after I was born which is probably why I think you’re a weirdo if the thought of smelling fresh fiberglass in the Kingdome doesn’t get you hot and bothered.
I’m the owner of BananaBelt Boats in Anacortes – a company my parents started 25 years ago. Our set-up and philosophy is different from typical yacht brokerages (I’m sure our name gives that away) with about 100 boats out of the water. We move a few boats up here. I love selling boats more than I love carbohydrates. I suck at docking a boat, but I will sell my soul to make a customer happy (and contrary to popular belief, some redheads really do have souls).
I’ve loved being a voice on NYBA’s Board of Directors this past term – while my language is colorful, I think my perspective is too. I’m one of the few female business owners in the marine industry, and I‘m not shy about sharing my opinions - I'm all about the exchange of ideas to help make NYBA better for its members.
It would be a privilege to continue in this role so I can help foster the idea that this organization is about more than putting on a boat show – it's about supporting each other in this industry and building relationships that help us become better at what we do.
One last thing you should know about me: I firmly believe that if everyone had a pilothouse and a bottle of wine, we’d have world peace.
Northwest