Please take a moment to review the following candidate statements for NYBA Board of Directors candidates in the upcoming election. Voting in the election begins on January 18th and ends on January 27th, and is open to all Business and Business-Individual level members.

Kevin Blake
Irwin Yacht Sales

Hello NYBA Members. I have had the pleasure of being on the Board of Directors for NYBA since 2019 as well as the privilege of being voted Treasurer that same year.  The Association has seen a lot of changes since that time and navigating these changes has been challenging.  I now have a full understanding of how much work goes into the Association by the employees, the volunteer Board of Directors, and the Association’s vendors and subcontractors.  I appreciate the fact that NYBA was designed for the brokers in mind.  There are only a few other associations that act on behalf of the brokers, and I am proud to say that I am a member but also the Treasurer of such a world-class association.  

During the last years of change, I have found myself navigating every area of the operations of NYBA.  This involves budgeting, contracts, committees, financials, office moves, hiring of our new Director of Operations and much more.  The positive changes that I have been a part of are exciting and not over. There is a lot of work to be done for the upcoming Boat Shows, Membership Drives, Government Affairs, Grow Boating, Ethics and keeping the Association financially sound.  NYBA has a strong Board of Directors, and I would like to continue to be on the board and hopefully serve another term as Treasurer, if I am re-elected.

Paul Groesbeck
Irwin Yacht Sales

I have had the opportunity to be President of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association for the past two years. With my current term expiring, I am running to be re-elected to the Board, with the hope of serving as NYBA’s President again. We have experienced several trying issues, but as a Board have overcome them and are very excited about our current staff and our newest addition Karli Houlé as our Executive Director.

Our second April show is coming soon and we are all excited to continue to build this show. I am looking forward to run for a second term as President and hope for your support, along with other Board members that are pursuing another term in this valuable association.

Ken Monaghan
Swiftsure Yachts

Fellow NYBA Members: My name is Kenneth “Ken” Monaghan and I am currently a Broker for Swiftsure Yachts, working out of our Westlake Ave North Headquarter Office. In mid-February 2023, I’ll have been there three years after coming over from three and one half years at Signature Yachts and two years with JK3 Yacht Sales Seattle Office.

Now, after nine years of being in the Marine Industry, and as a Member of NYBA and CBYB, I admit my career shift from Sales in the Technology Sector and previously as an Engineer in Aerospace has been a good transition for me. I have felt well-received in this industry and the relationships that I have built with industry experts and clients has been rewarding.

However, I think it is time for me, to “pay it forward”. I enjoy supporting organizations that add value to society and have always been someone willing to volunteer for good causes. I believe in NYBA’s Mission and feel I can make a positive impact in assisting to facilitate continued development.

Being able to run for a Board of Directors position is a privilege and I look forward to being able to continue fostering and collaborating within NYBA to continue its growth and success.

Thanks for your consideration and opportunity to serve as a Board Member for NYBA.

Greg Mustari
Pacific Cruising Yachts

As your past Vice-President, I would very much like to remain on the Board of NYBA in a position of a lighter duty role. With over a 20 year history of selling boats and my past law enforcement career, I feel I have a lot to contribute to the Board. As of lately, I’ve had a few health-related bumps in the road but my involvement and unwavering support of NYBA is and has always been important to me. I can’t recall the exact number of years I’ve been on the Board, more than fifteen years, I think. The standards that the NYBA has in place along with the professionals on the Board are what makes this association great.

Tony Witek
Emerald Pacific Yachts

Hello, members of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association. I am Tony Witek, broker at Emerald Pacific Yachts, and I am running to be re-elected to the NYBA Board. If elected, I will be running for the Vice President position. I have been in this industry for many years, and look forward to bringing my years of experience again to benefit our Association. Over my years serving on the NYBA Board, I have served on most of the various committees, and most recently on the Executive Committee as Secretary.  

If elected, I will continue to support NYBA through growing our membership and most importantly – by supporting and growing our annual boat shows. Thank you.