Meet Some of the Most Influential Women in Boating – Boating

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Meet the {women|ladies|females} with important jobs {in|within} all {aspects of|facets of} boating.

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Kaitlyn Schneider driving a boat
Kaitlyn Schneider is capable {of|associated with} {working on|focusing on} {many|numerous|several|a lot of} different types of {boats|vessels|motorboats}. Courtesy Kaitlyn Schneider

When I {first|1st|very first|initial} starting writing about {boats|vessels|motorboats} in 1996, I {didn’t|did not} encounter many other {women|ladies|females} {on the|around the|within the|for the|in the|over the|to the|at the} water, and {few|couple of} were on the {business|company} side {of it|from it}. Articles would highlight {a handful of|a few|{a number|a quantity|an amount} of|a small number of} pioneers who operated marinas, sold boats and crewed yacht charters, and {then|after that} we’d all move {on|upon}.   Now, 25 {years|many years|yrs} later, the world {is different|differs}. In the 2020s, women aren’t just {in|within} boating—they’re  everywhere  in {boating|sailing}. They’re yacht designers, {entrepreneurs|business owners}, business owners, captains, {instructors|trainers|teachers}, mechanics and tech consultants—and they are not novelties. {They are|They may be|These are} experts, and {their|their own|their particular} unique experiences, perspectives {and|plus} voices are driving {recreational|leisure} boating forward.

Kaitlyn Schneider in front of a boat
Kaitlyn {discovered|found out|uncovered} an aptitude for {mechanics|technicians} early on. Courtesy Kaitlyn Schneider

{The|The particular} Mechanic

Kaitlyn Schneider {is|will be|is usually|is definitely|can be|is certainly} a boat mechanic {at|in|from|with|on} Lakeside Marina in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. According to {owner|proprietor} Joe Honsa, she’s {fantastic|wonderful|amazing|excellent|great|brilliant|superb|fabulous|awesome} at what she {does|will|really does}.

Schneider grew up {boating|sailing} with her family {on|upon} their 35-foot Baja {cruiser|easy riding bike}. She discovered an {aptitude|skills|abilities} for mechanics {early on|in early stages}, helping {her|the girl} dad {work on|focus on} cars and also excelling in her high school’s offered auto mechanics {courses|programs|classes}.  

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“I was usually the {only|just} girl {in my|within my|inside my} high school {classes|courses|lessons}, or maybe {one {of|associated with} two|1 of 2}, ” she recalls. “I {liked|loved|enjoyed} that. It motivated {me|me personally|myself}. ”

Schneider’s career {path|route} unfolded when {a representative|a consultant} from the Universal {Technical|Specialized} Institute in Orlando, {Florida|Fl|California|Sarasota|Lakewood ranch}, visited her high {school|college}.

“UTI was there {to|in order to} showcase everything they {had|experienced|got|acquired} to offer, including {their|their own|their particular} Marine Mechanics Institute, ” she says. “Working {on|upon} boats was an {easy|simple} decision for me. {I|We|I actually} was dead-set {on it|onto it}. ”

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Schneider graduated {from|through} high school in {June|06} 2013, started at UTI’s Marine Mechanics Institute {in|within} August, and graduated {from|through} its program {a year|a 12 months|a yr|a season|a calendar year} later. She started {work|function} at Lakeside Marina {in|within} August 2014.

These {days|times}, Schneider is one {of|associated with} four people in Lakeside’s service department, and {she|the girl|the lady} remains the only {woman|lady|female|girl}. She {works on|ideal for} boats that range {from|through} 16-foot aluminum fishing {craft|create|art|build|write|hobby|compose} to mid-30s cruisers, {and|plus} she holds certifications {for|with regard to|regarding|intended for|to get|pertaining to|meant for|designed for|just for} MerCruiser engines and Mercury outboards.

Spring involves {a|the} deluge of work {orders|purchases}, checking fluids and electricals, and {making sure|ensuring} {the|the particular} boats are performing {correctly|properly}. Summer is all {about|regarding} fixing broken props, {drives|hard disks} and fuel pumps; {it|this} also involves what Schneider calls “the game {of|associated with} diagnostics, ” from {engine|motor} and electrical issues {to|in order to} oil lines coming {off|away|away from}.

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When {fall|drop} arrives, she changes {oil|essential oil}, winterizes water systems {and|plus} engines, and handles shrink-wrapping. One thing {is certain|is for certain}: The {life|existence|lifestyle|living|lifetime} of a boat {mechanic|auto technician} is never dull, {especially|specifically} during COVID-19.

“We’ve {been|already been} crazy busy, ” {she|the girl|the lady} says. “The world {definitely|certainly} didn’t stop for {us|all of us}. ”

Schneider says {she|the girl|the lady} loves what she {does|will|really does}, whether accessing {a difficult|a hard|a challenging|a tough} engine compartment, {hooking up|meeting up} the tractor {to|in order to} launch a boat {at|in|from|with|on} the ramp, or {going|heading} on a delivery.

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“The deliveries {are|are usually} super fun, ” {she|the girl|the lady} says. “I get {to|in order to} {engage with|build relationships} {customers|clients}, a mix of {experienced|skilled} and new boaters. {That’s|That is} always interesting.

“During {the|the particular} season, {I might|I would} get five boat {rides|trips} a day, ” {she|the girl|the lady} adds. “I’m in {the|the particular} sun, outside {all {the|the particular} time|at all times|constantly|on {a|the} regular basis|continuously}. It’s {awesome|amazing}. ”

Sophi Horne
Sophi Horne {is|will be|is usually|is definitely|can be|is certainly} helping meld stylish {design|style} with the latest {in|within} electric power. {Courtesy|Politeness} Sophi Horne

The Designer

This {year|12 months|yr|season|calendar year}, powerboat racing enthusiasts {are|are usually} catching a glimpse {of|associated with} a new concept {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship} that seamlessly blends {electric|electrical|electric powered} power with the {sleek|smooth|modern} sexiness of sports {cars|vehicles} and the pure adrenaline of offshore racing. {It’s|It is} {called the|the} RaceBird, {and|plus} its co-creator {is a|is really a} Norwegian {yacht|private yacht} designer, Sophi Horne.

Horne grew up {on the|around the|within the|for the|in the|over the|to the|at the} {water|drinking water}, enjoying competitive sailing {and|plus} the family motorboat. {The|The particular} self-described tomboy even {built|constructed} her own sailboat.  

“They found me {and|plus} my little sister {just|simply} as {we were|i was} ready to sail {off|away|away from}, ” Horne remembers, {laughing|having a laugh}. “I was always {passionate|enthusiastic} about building, but {I|We|I actually} never believed I {would|might|would certainly} end up designing {boats|vessels|motorboats}. ”

Horne initially {pursued|attacked} a career in {branding|personalisation|logos} and graphic design, {landing|getting} at SSH Maritime {as|because|since} creative director. Boat {design|style}, she says, just {seemed|appeared} {too big|too large}. {Then|After that} she was introduced {to|in order to} the naval architects.

“[Director] James Frangi believed in me, ” she says. “I {went back|returned} to school {for|with regard to|regarding|intended for|to get|pertaining to|meant for|designed for|just for} my bachelor’s degree. ”

Horne attended Westerdals {School|College} of Design, Communication {and|plus} Technology in Oslo, {graduating|graduation} in 2017. One {day|day time|time}, sitting {in the|within the} airport in Paris, {she|the girl|the lady} had an idea.

“I {wanted to|desired to|wished to} design a boat {{that|which} {crunch when {a potential} could be|that may be|that might be} available {to|in order to} more people, ” {she|the girl|the lady} says. “I was {thinking|considering} of the people {who|that|who else|which|who also|whom|who have|exactly who|who seem to} can’t afford {a yacht|a private yacht} but want to {spend|invest} the summer {on the|around the|within the|for the|in the|over the|to the|at the} {water|drinking water}. ”

Powerboat racing concept
Horne {is a|is really a} co-creator {of|associated with} the RaceBird. Courtesy Sophi Horne

{Coming|Arriving} from Oslo, Horne {already|currently} was a fan {of|associated with} electric cars, and {she|the girl|the lady} wanted this new {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship} to feature electric power—cool electric power.

“I want sleek sports {cars|vehicles}, not bubbly, cute {electric|electrical|electric powered} cars, ” she {notes|information|records}. “Now, Formula E, {that’s|that is} cool, and they {went|proceeded to go} electric. So, I {wanted|desired|needed|wished} {to be|to become} {creative|innovative} and daring, {and to|and also to} push {the|the particular} industry a bit. {I was|I had been|I {used|utilized} to be} already {an|a good} outsider, {so if|when} {I|We|I actually} failed, I failed. ” 

Drawing inspiration {from the|from your|through the|in the} {auto|car} industry, Horne created {the|the particular} lines and {shape of|form of} her new {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship}. She also developed {a|the} foiling solution for {maximum|optimum} efficiency. She christened {her|the girl} 7-meter, six-berth boat SeaBird, {and she|and he {or|or even} she} prepared {a full|a complete} business plan. Formula {E|Electronic} took notice.  

“I was invited to {meet|fulfill|satisfy|meet up with} Alejandro [Agag] and attend {a race|a competition}, ” she says. “Two and a half {years|many years|yrs} ago, he became {my|the|our} first investor. He {said|stated|mentioned}, ‘I {see the|view the} passion in your {eyes|eye}. ’” 

Agag told Horne {she would|she’d} need {a|the} world-class business and {engineering|architectural|executive|anatomist} team. He made {introductions|opening paragraphs}, and SeaBird Technologies {came|arrived|emerged} to life.

In {partnership|collaboration|relationship} with Italian boatbuilder {Victory|Triumph|Success} Marine, SeaBird Technologies’ {first|1st|very first|initial} project is the foiling RaceBird. Capable of {reaching|achieving} {speeds up|increases} to {58|fifty eight} mph, the prototype {will|will certainly|may|can} be complete {in early|at the begining of} 2022, with the E1 {Series|Collection} championship scheduled later {{in|for} {diets} the|within the} year.  

“With Alejandro, things {move|proceed|shift} very fast, ” Horne says. “It’s very {exciting|fascinating|thrilling|interesting} and a lot {of|associated with} pressure. E1 is {a|the} 14-minute race format {with|along with} a lot of twists and turns, so {it|this} will really showcase {the|the particular} wow factor. ” 

Read Next: {The {Future|Long term|Upcoming} of|The ongoing future of|The continuing future of} {Boat|Vessel|Motorboat|Ship} Design

{And the|As well as the} {coolness|greatness} factor. As Horne {turns|becomes|transforms} back to her SeaBird concept, she remains {committed to|devoted to} making {the|the particular} boats {available to|accessible to|offered to|open to} as {many|numerous|several|a lot of} people as possible {through|via|by means of} direct sales and boat-sharing apps. With the RaceBird’s momentum, she also {hopes|expectations} to create {a recreational|a leisure} brand that’s something {special|unique|specific|exclusive|particular}.

“I want SeaBird {owners|proprietors} to feel like {they’re|they are} driving the RaceBird, ” she explains.

Looking {back|back again}, Horne says it {was|has been|had been} a challenge to {lead|guide|business lead|prospect|direct} a project as {a|the} newcomer and as {a|the} woman—but {worth it|worthwhile}.

“Like Nike says, {just {do|perform} it|take action}, ” {she|the girl|the lady} says {with a|having a|using a} smile. “Be {stubborn|persistent} and persistent through {the|the particular} ups and downs. {Dare|Challenge|Care to} to showcase who {you|a person} are. ”

Jaclyn Baumgarten Boatsetter
Jaclyn Baumgarten’s pioneering vision has {helped|assisted} make boating more {accessible|available|obtainable} for everyone. Courtesy Boatsetter

The {Entrepreneur|Business owner}

In 2012, {a young|a younger|a youthful} entrepreneur named Jaclyn Baumgarten pioneered a boat-sharing {startup|new venture|start-up|startup company} and peer-to-peer marine {insurance|insurance coverage|insurance policy|insurance plan} policy {that would|that could|that will} launch {a new|a brand new} segment {of the|from the} boating industry. Now {serving|helping|providing|offering} as co-founder and {chief executive officer|ceo} of Boatsetter, Baumgarten says she {remains|continues to be} committed to {breaking down|wearing down|deteriorating} barriers.

Boats {and|plus} entrepreneurship run in {her|the girl} blood. Baumgarten’s parents {were|had been} from Chicago, and {the|the particular} family traveled from {their|their own|their particular} Southern California home {to|in order to} Fox Lake, Illinois, {for|with regard to|regarding|intended for|to get|pertaining to|meant for|designed for|just for} happy summers {filled with|filled up with|full of} {swimming|going swimming}, boating and watersports.  

“That was probably {my|the|our} inspiration, ” she {reflects|displays|demonstrates|shows}. “I had the {privilege|opportunity|freedom} of being exposed {to|in order to} {the lifestyle|the life-style} {early|earlier} on. ”

Baumgarten {came from|originated from} three {generations|decades} of entrepreneurs, raised {to|in order to} be career-driven and goal-oriented. After graduating from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, {she|the girl|the lady} moved to New {York|You are able to} to work {as a|like a|being a|as being a} strategy and management {consultant|specialist|advisor|expert} for Fortune 1000 {companies|businesses}. Seeking to make {a|the} more meaningful impact, {she|the girl|the lady} earned an MBA {at|in|from|with|on} Stanford Graduate School {of|associated with} Business, embarked on {a|the} successful commercial {real estate|real-estate|real estate property|property} career {and|plus}, in the wake {of|associated with} the Great Recession, {helped|assisted} launch Westfield Media {Group|Team}.

“I gained the {confidence|self-confidence}, experience, training, and {leadership|management} and networking skills {I|We|I actually} needed to build {something|some thing} new, but I {didn’t|did not} know what, ” {she|the girl|the lady} says. “So, I {quit|stop|give up}. ”

After {six months|6 months} of soul-searching, {an|a good} idea emerged from {the|the particular} swirl of rich {childhood|child years|years as a child|the child years} memories and conversations {with|along with} two of her {three|3} brothers, both of {whom|who} happened to own {boats|vessels|motorboats}.

“Boats are an {incredible|amazing} asset, but they’re underutilized, ” she says. “There’s {also a|the} high {cost|price}. I wanted {to {create|produce|generate|make|develop} a marketplace|to {create|produce|generate|make|develop} a market place|to {create|produce|generate|make|develop} a market|to {create|produce|generate|make|develop} an industry|to produce a marketplace|to produce a market place|to produce a market|to produce an industry} that would make {boating|sailing} accessible to anyone, {anywhere|anyplace}. ”

One of {the|the particular} most significant challenges {was|has been|had been} insurance, which excludes {rentals|accommodations|leases} or charters unless {it’s|it is} an expensive commercial {policy|plan}. Baumgarten set out {to|in order to} find a solution.

“I learned everything {I could|I possibly could|I really could|I can} and wrote {a|the} big plan with {insurance|insurance coverage|insurance policy|insurance plan} companies in mind, ” she says. “It {was a year|was a 12 months|was a yr|was a season|was a calendar year|was obviously a year|was obviously a 12 months|was obviously a yr|was obviously a season|was obviously a calendar year} of pitches, {and finally|and lastly}, I convinced {an|a good} underwriter from the {charter|rental} industry {to work with|to do business with|to utilize|to work alongside} me {on|upon} creating a peer-to-peer {policy|plan}. ”

Boatsetter app
Thanks to Boatsetter, peer-to-peer marine insurance {policies|guidelines|plans|procedures|insurance policies} became a reality. {Courtesy|Politeness} Boatsetter

{In|Within} October 2012, the {earliest|first} version of {what is|what exactly is} now Boatsetter was launched. Today, {the|the particular} South Florida-based “Airbnb {of|associated with} boats” offers 20, {000|500|1000} boat listings {in more|much more} than 600 {cities|towns|metropolitan areas}. It wasn’t an {easy|simple} journey {to get|to obtain} there for sure, {and|plus} Baumgarten notes that entrepreneurship’s {high level|higher level} {of|associated with} risk and uncertainty {isn’t|is not} for everyone.

“You {have to be|need to be} fearless, ” she {says|states}. “Extreme tenacity, delusional {optimism|confidence}, fearlessness, and the {endless|limitless|unlimited|countless} {desire to|wish to} {solve|resolve} problems while never {taking|getting|using|having|consuming|acquiring} no for an answer—without that combo, you {won’t|will not} succeed because there {are|are usually} so many walls {you’re|you are} going to run {into|in to|directly into|straight into}. {You have to be|You need to be} {willing|prepared|ready} to make sacrifices, {ranging from|which range from} {your|your own} finances to your {relationships|associations|human relationships|interactions|romantic relationships} {and even|as well as|and also} your own {well-being|wellbeing}. The company {has {to|in order to} be|needs to be} {No|Simply no}. 1. ”

{To that|To that particular} end, Baumgarten put {all of|all} {her|the girl} resources into seed {capital|funds} for Boatsetter. She {didn’t|did not} take a salary {{for|to be} the} two|for 2} years, {and|plus} she didn’t {take a|have a} single weekend {off|away|away from}.

“The commitment is {fierce|brutal}, ” she notes, “and {I do think|I think} it’s more challenging {for|with regard to|regarding|intended for|to get|pertaining to|meant for|designed for|just for} a woman, especially {in|within} fundraising. You have {to|in order to} be scrappy and {creative|innovative}, and keep your vision  alive. ”

She {rose|increased|went up|flower} to the challenge, {executing|performing|carrying out} as many plans {as|because|since} possible without capital. {She|The girl|The lady} also worked hard {to|in order to} build strategic partnerships, {from|through} the National Marine {Manufacturers|Producers} Association to individual marinas, to demonstrate how Boatsetter {would provide|gives} benefits {to|in order to} them and help {grow|develop} the industry. The {capital|funds} soon  flowed.  

“Be passionate and unwaveringly {focused|concentrated}, ” she advises aspiring entrepreneurs. “You must {believe|think} {your company|your business|your organization} has to exist {in|within} this world. ”

Patti Moore and Carol ­Cuddyer out sailing
Patti Moore and Carol Cuddyer founded Sea Sense {to|in order to} teach others how {to|in order to} boat and sail. Courtesy Sea Sense

The Instructors

Patti Moore and Carol Cuddyer own Sea Sense, {based|dependent|centered} in {St. |St} Petersburg, Florida. Founded in 1990, the school offers hands-on boating instruction, teaching {deliveries|transport} and organized on-water {adventures|activities|journeys|escapades}.

Moore grew up {in|within} Georgia. She first {stepped|walked} onto a boat {in|within} her mid-20s and {later|later on|afterwards} married a sailor. {The|The particular} couple moved to {Florida|Fl|California|Sarasota|Lakewood ranch}, built a 39-foot sailboat, and moved aboard. Moore earned her captain’s {license|permit} and started doing {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship} deliveries and charters.  

“The more I {learned|discovered}, the  more I {wanted|desired|needed|wished} to share the {knowledge|understanding|information} I’d learned the {hard|difficult|tough} way {with other|along {with|along with} other|to} women, ” Moore says. “I taught {for|with regard to|regarding|intended for|to get|pertaining to|meant for|designed for|just for} different sailing schools, {and|plus} that’s {how I|could|the {way|method} i} met Carol. ”

Cuddyer grew up {boating|sailing} on New Hampshire’s {Lake|River} Winnipesaukee. She married {a|the} charter fisherman, and {together|with each other|collectively|jointly} they sailed the Northeast.

“My husband convinced {me|me personally|myself} to get my captain’s license, ” she {says|states}. “I didn’t know {any|any kind of} woman captains. {In the|Within the} 1980s, women {were|had been} either making sandwiches {or|or even} {holding on|securing} for {dear|beloved} life. I felt {it|this} was important to {change|modify|alter} that. ”

Then {she|the girl|the lady} and Moore worked {a|the} charter together in {Florida|Fl|California|Sarasota|Lakewood ranch}. They talked about {starting|beginning} a school that {would|might|would certainly} teach both sailing {and|plus} powerboating, and Sea {Sense|Feeling} was born.

{The school|The college} had an 85-15 percent sail-power ratio {in|within} the beginning, but {31|thirty-one} years later, those {numbers|figures|amounts|quantities} are reversed. Cuddyer {and|plus} Moore sold their {school|college} boat years ago {and|plus} now offer individualized {instruction|training|coaching|teaching|instructions} on private boats.  

“Boomers were aging, {and|plus} more of them {have|possess|have got} powerboats, which are {all|almost all|just about all|most|all of|many|most of|every|all of the} so different, ” Cuddyer says. “We couldn’t {meet|fulfill|satisfy|meet up with} everyone’s needs with {one|1|a single|one particular} school boat, so {we|all of us|we all} evolved. ”

While {Sea|Ocean} Sense {focused on|centered on} women in the {early|earlier} years, roughly {80 {to|in order to} 85 percent|more than 80%} of its customers {today|nowadays|these days} are couples who {want|would like|need|desire|wish|really want} to go cruising.

“They want to learn {together|with each other|collectively|jointly}, ” Moore says. “Even if one partner {has|offers|provides} more experience, they {know|understand} they need to {be able to|have the {ability|capability} to} take care {of|associated with} each other in two-person situations like docking {and|plus} close-quarters maneuvering.

“Your {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship} grows to the {size|dimension} {of an|of the} {aircraft|plane|airplane} carrier when you’re {at|in|from|with|on} the helm, ” Moore continues. “We had {one|1|a single|one particular} woman learn docking {so|therefore} well, she never {looked|appeared} back. Her husband {was|has been|had been} so proud of {her|the girl}. ” 

Driving a boat
Approximately 80 {to|in order to} 85 percent of {Sea|Ocean} Sense’s customers today {are|are usually} couples who want {to|in order to} go cruising. Courtesy {Sea|Ocean} Sense

{In|Within} some cases, the {woman|lady|female|girl} {is the|may be the|will be the|could be the} more experienced partner. Cuddyer recalls an experienced {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship} handler whose husband {was|has been|had been} new to {the lifestyle|the life-style}.

“She had {to|in order to} put his golf {clubs|night clubs} on the boat {to|in order to} get him to {go|proceed|move}, ” she says, {laughing|having a laugh}.

Moore and Cuddyer {also|furthermore} continue to teach {solo|single|solitary} women. Sometimes, they’re {boat|vessel|motorboat|ship} owners who wish {to|in order to} learn to single-hand {their|their own|their particular} vessels—like one Selene 53 skipper from the {Pacific Northwest|Western}.

“She wanted {to|in order to} take her friends {up|upward} to the Canadian {islands|island destinations} and Ketchikan, ” Moore says. “She hired {us|all of us} to come out {and|plus} teach her, and {she|the girl|the lady} nailed  it. ”

{Due|Because of} to COVID-19, Cuddyer {and|plus} Moore have suspended {school|college} operations until the {pandemic|outbreak} wanes. They say {the|the particular} decision was {a difficult|a hard|a challenging|a tough} one.

“We miss {it|this} terribly, ” Cuddyer {says|states}. “But thinking of {all|almost all|just about all|most|all of|many|most of|every|all of the} the people we’ve {taught|trained}, and all the {memories|reminiscences|remembrances} we’ve made, is {making|producing} me smile. ”

Moore says simply, “We’re {very|really|extremely|quite} lucky to do {something|some thing} we  love. ”

Ashley Howard and Noelle ­Cruikshank at the dock
Ashley Howard and Noelle ­Cruikshank having been helping boaters {with their|using their} {marine|sea|ocean} electronics for over {10 years|ten years}. Courtesy {GPS|GPS NAVIGATION} Store

{The|The particular} Electronics Specialists

Founded {in|within} 1997 in Ocean {Isle|Department} Beach, {North Carolina|New york}, the GPS Store {Inc|Incorporation}. is an one-stop {shop|store} that bills itself {as|because|since} “a better alternative {to|in order to} typical mail-order and {internet|web} companies” {when it {comes|arrives} to|with regards to} {GPS|GPS NAVIGATION} units, marine electronics, {outdoor|outside} gear, accessories and GPS-related equipment. This is {largely|mostly|mainly|generally} due to the {experience|encounter} of its staff.

{Among|Amongst} the staff are Ashley Howard and Noelle Cruikshank, who have been {with|along with} the company for {13|thirteen} and 14 years, {respectively|correspondingly}.  

Howard {grew up|was raised|were raised} boating {on|upon} Vermont’s Lake Champlain. {She|The girl|The lady} is an NMEA-certified {marine|sea|ocean} electronics installer and NMEA 2000-certified technician; {not only|not just} was she {the|the particular} only woman to {pass|complete|move} that round of {certification|accreditation|qualification} tests, but she {also|furthermore} got above 90 {percent|%} on both.

Cruikshank {is an|is definitely an} {administrative|management} coordinator for the {company|organization|business|firm|corporation}, and while she {is|will be|is usually|is definitely|can be|is certainly} not a lifelong boater, this Massachusetts native {grew|increased} up on the {water|drinking water}. She worked in {the|the particular} car business before {the|the particular} GPS Store.  

“I was hired for {accounting|data processing|sales|construction|human resources|marketing|management|education|information systems} purposes, but I’m {on|upon} the phone with {customers|clients} a lot, ” {she|the girl|the lady} says. “We’re self-taught; {as|because|since} our company grew, {we|all of us|we all} {learned about|discovered} the {products|items}, which are constantly {evolving|growing|changing}, and the different {issues|problems} {we need to|we {have|possess|have got} to} help resolve {for|with regard to|regarding|intended for|to get|pertaining to|meant for|designed for|just for} customers. ”

Although {the|the particular} GPS Store serves {the|the particular} automotive and general {outdoor|outside} markets as well, Howard says 90 percent {of the|from the} phone {calls|phone calls} she receives are {from|through} boaters. While technicians {do|perform} not handle physical {installations|installation}, they provide guidance {so|therefore} boaters can determine {what|exactly what} marine electronics packages {will|will certainly|may|can} best meet their {needs|requirements}.

Howard says she {fields|areas} a variety of {questions|queries} about NMEA 2000 {connectivity|connection|online connectivity}, the functionality of {specific|particular} units, and how {to|in order to} handle pairing. She {also|furthermore} notes that callers {are|are usually} occasionally surprised when {the|the particular} expert on the {line|collection|range|series} is a woman.

“When we ask how {we|all of us|we all} {can help|will help|can assist|may help}, we’ll get {either|possibly}, ‘Are you sure? ’ or complete silence, ” she says with {a|the} chuckle.

{By the end|Right at the end} {of|associated with} the call, Cruikshank {says|states} it’s common to {hear|listen to}, “Wow, you schooled {me|me personally|myself} on all of {this|this particular}. ” 

“It’s {a compliment|an enhance|a go with|a supplement|an accompany}, ” she says. “I love it when {people|individuals} call back and {ask|inquire|request} to speak to {one|1|a single|one particular} of  us. ”

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