HOW DID YOU WIND UP IN THE MARINE INDUSTRY?
After college, I went to Colorado to ski for a season and ended up staying for a year and a half. On returning to South Carolina, and floundering about for a while, I called Harbour Town Yacht Basin to see if there were any openings. Having stayed on a boat here in high school, I thought this would be a great place to spend the summer and decide what I would do next. That was 33 years ago. I started as a dockhand, emptying trash, pumping fuel and docking boats. I stayed with it, learned a lot and now I am guiding dockhands through this process.
IN A MALE DOMINATED INDUSTRY WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE? ADVANTAGE?
I don’t necessarily feel like marina management is male dominated. There is an incredible amount of respect and helpfulness among marina operators.
DO YOU OWN A BOAT? WHAT KIND? IF NOT, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Our current boat is a 16-foot skiff that my husband built for me for Mothers Day back in 2000. It has a 15 hp. outboard and we go fishing, shrimping, and crabbing in the creek that runs by our dock.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON A LAZY DAY AT HOME?
What is the definition of a lazy day? I do like to read and float in the pool on a sweltering day (of course, a frosty ale is very helpful also).
WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST USEFUL QUALITY YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOB?
Sense of humor. Ability to do at least three different things at once. Organization and leadership. Obviously not the ability to succinctly answer a question…
NAME A PLACE YOU DON’T GET TO GO TO OFTEN ENOUGH?
My husband, daughters and I have a small cabin on the out island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. When there, we spend our time fishing, snorkeling and relaxing. Unfortunately, we do not get there often enough and hope to improve on that in the coming years.
WHAT WARNING DO YOU GIVE TO BOATERS MOST OFTEN?
“Never go faster than the speed you want to hit something.” Also, the VHF or cell phone is one of the most helpful items on boat. There are so many things marina staff can provide boaters if they know prior to their arrival. This will help provide better service and improve the boaters experience.
HOW MANY FRIENDSHIPS DO YOU HAVE THAT SPAN MORE THAN15 YEARS?
I am so lucky that I have so many real long term friends. From college, early boating days in Hilton Head, and fellow parents (soccer moms and dads). My husband and I have dozens of long term lasting friendships that we treasure.
WHAT IS THE NEXT THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CROSS OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
I would love to have more time for boating, family and traveling. I guess that’s what retirement is all about, though I don’t see that in the near future.
LOBSTER TAIL OR FILET MIGNON?
Filet Mignon — definitely!
