NYBA is excited to share the list of candidates for the upcoming Board of Directors election, which occurs December 8th - December 18th, 2023. There are (2) Business Member seats open, and (1) Affiliate Member seat open. Each seat is a three year term, beginning January 1, 2024 and running through December 31, 2026.
Attention Business and Business Individual Members: You will ONLY be voting on the Business seats.
Attention Affiliate and Affiliate Individual Members: You will ONLY be voting on the Affiliate seat.
Business Associate memberships are non-voting memberships.
Please take some time to review the candidate statements for the relevant seat(s) you will be voting on!
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 200 words.
Robert Fiala
Hampton Yacht Group
Started back in 2004 and have enjoyed the marine sales industry ever since. Enjoy all aspects of the industry including marketing, client relations, strategizing, managing and sales especially.
I believe in the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association. The association is an important aspect of representation of yacht brokers throughout our region.
Look forward in utilizing all of the above as a board member once again and contributing towards our Northwest Yacht Brokers Association success.
Thank you for your consideration.
Billy Gilbert
Silver Seas Yachts
Billy grew up on the water and around boats his entire life, working up through his family’s marina in Florida, leading the dealership to record sales, top customer satisfaction, and eventual acquisition. He adds to over a decade of experience down in the Southeast proudly now in the Pacific Northwest, where he has been exploring these waters, and working hard for his clients since 2020. He maintains a Florida Licensed and Bonded Yacht Broker status. He is also a proud family man, busy at home with his wife and daughter, when he isn’t working on making someone’s boating dreams a reality.
He would bring to the board a perspective of the importance of professional marine retailing, yacht brokerage ethics, and staying nimble in a moving business landscape. He seeks to shape the future of the boat and yacht market as fresh technologies and market forces meet a new generation of boaters in the years to come.
Jason Knott
Essential Shipyard Industries
In my two-decade tenure in the marine industry, I've cultivated enduring friendships within the brokerage sector. When the need arose for a brokerage in Friday Harbor, I leveraged these relationships, reaching out to trusted colleagues of decades. Highly recommended by top brokers, NYBA became a cornerstone in my professional journey, providing invaluable insights. This access has enabled me to consistently and successfully contribute to the industry, benefiting both buyers and sellers.
Now, I'm thrilled at the prospect of guiding new brokers, ensuring they uphold the highest industry standards. I am committed to sharing the wealth of experience accumulated over decades within NYBA, fostering a community where seasoned insights are readily available to new members.
My extensive background spans designing electric propulsion systems, academic research, commercial crabbing, and sailing. Alongside my wife Emily, we operate a shipyard service in Friday Harbor, recently expanding to much larger operation in Anacortes. My fourteen-year-old son, Atlas, actively contributes to our family endeavor. I'm eager to bring this rich tapestry of experience to the NYBA Board, contributing to the growth and excellence of our industry.
Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Gretchen Miles
Waterline Boats
My relationship to boating began on my honeymoon…I fell in love! My confidence has grown through several iterations: beginning with a Bayliner 2858 and Mainship 390. Next, we chose a DeFever 49, currently own a Jefferson 64 Pilothouse and have lived aboard for 10 years.
To expand my opportunities and continued professional development, I am a licensed 100 ton Near Coastal Master Captain.
I became motivated to become a yacht broker while experiencing the process of buying and selling our personal boats. I began working with Waterline Boats in late 2014 and am a Certified Professional Yacht Broker. Currently, I am the manager of Waterline Boats newest expansion office located at the Port of Everett. I am a newly minted member of the NYBA Boats Afloat Show committee and an active member with the Everett Yacht Club. Unrelated to the yachting industry, I was a private business owner for 21 years.
I believe I will contribute to and help elevate our organization by sharing our goals of professionalism, integrity, and education. Our professional organization is growing; I have passion, perspective, possess good leadership skills and I have a good sense of humor.
Ray Prokorym
Worth Avenue Yachts
As a current Director, I would like to run for reelection to the NYBA board.
My experience as a Director gives me a very good foundation and understanding of the current state of our organization. This includes the challenges and opportunities that are in front of NYBA. My resume as a business owner both in and outside of the boating industry gives me a broad perspective on the various elements involved in running a successful company. I also feel strongly that NYBA is a broker organization for the betterment of the brokers and dealerships that make up our members. My goal is to always reflect the best interests of our members.
Byron Shirley
Denison Yachting
One of my most important experience was moving from France to the Caribbeans to live on a 39’ Gulfstar at the age of nine. We then settled in California, where I did Sea Scouts (4 Years), sailboat racing, boat deliveries, and more living aboard. After many land-based careers where I gained valuable experiences in service, marketing, and sales, I eventually turned to the boating industry, starting with sailboats and eventually into powerboats, as well. Today I celebrate 13 years as a yacht consultant—including a decade in Seattle at Denison Yachting, and in that role, I try to share and spread the passion I have for the boating world, and guide clients towards a boat that will best fit their needs.
In joining the NYBA board, I hope to help build up “boating enthusiasm” further in the Pacific Northwest; I want to do my part in de-mystifying boating, making it an approachable experience. We boaters know that yachting is one of the last remaining options for truly being on your own, or in turn to find yourself opening up to total strangers because you need a spare impeller! I believe NYBA has an important role in shepherding this.
Affiliate Member Candidates: (1) Seat Available
All Candidate Statements were submitted by the candidates, no edits were made by NYBA Staff; statements were limited to 200 words.
Lesley Bishop
Trident Funding
I have been an Associate Member of the NYBA for 26 years, providing boat and yacht loans utilizing various financial programs. I started in the industry working for Ganis Credit Corporation and for the past 22 years I have been with Trident Funding.
In working closely with yacht brokers during this time, I have learned what they need to do business, what their ethical, legal, and practical concerns are. I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the Board that can help implement and express member concerns into Association Policies.
It is imperative for me that our Association is successful and strong as that benefits all members, including associate members.
In my spare time I love to travel, garden, and spend time with my family. Some of my favorite trips have been sailing with my sister and brother-in-law on their sailboat in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to working on your behalf as the Affiliate Member of your Board of Directors.
Sonya McNett
Anacortes Marine Documentation
I am excited to pursue a position as an Affiliate Board Member with the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association.
As the owner of Anacortes Marine Documentation LLC, I bring 30 years of marine industry experience to the table, 5 years in charter, and 25 years in the title industry. As the principal title agent, I have been in the unique position of offering support to yacht brokers and industry professionals over the years for diverse vessel transactions throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. I believe my experience as a neutral support agent would be well served on the Board. I believe in the NW Yacht Brokers Association’s purpose of promoting cooperation, professionalism and high standard of conduct in the yacht sales business. I look forward to collaborating and serving the industry that has supported us for many years.
I am currently serving a 2 year term on the Board of the American Vessel Documentation Association as the Treasurer, a position that was voted in by fellow association members, my peers. Thank you for your vote!
Peter Ricks
Novamar Insurance
The Resume:
· Regional Manager for Novamar Insurance Group
· National Charter and Commercial Manager for GEICO Marine, Alexandria, VA
· Vice President of Anchor Marine Underwriters, Seattle, WA
· Past Commodore, Tyee Yacht Club, Seattle, WA
· US Navy (5 deployments)
· USCG Master Mariner (100 ton Captain Near Coastal with tow endorsement) with multiple training and delivery evolutions completed
The Personal:
I’ve been privileged to live in, work in, and recreate in a space I have loved since I was a child- the ocean. From my years in the Navy on multiple deployments, to my 20+ years in Marine Insurance here in Puget Sound, to being a liveaboard since 2008, I and my wife are well immersed in life on and around the water.
My Reasons for Running:
To make a difference. I’m very good at what I do, and am privileged to work as with my peers as a professional in the marine industry in Seattle. To be the best at what we do, we need to adapt and change with the markets. I feel I bring an experienced voice to the table to help NYBA become the best it can be.
Thank you.