Management, Moves & Promotions

Joe Charles, president of Charles Industries and River Forest Yachting Centers received Broward College Foundation’s 2009 Chairman’s Award in February. ?The Chairman’s Award is presented to an individual who has distinguished himself or herself by committing personal resources, expertise and time to benefit Broward College.?
“Joe Charles saw the potential?of the Broward College Marine Technology Center of Excellence and its programs from the very beginning,” stated Nancy Botero, executive director of the Foundation. “Through his generous support of?and tireless advocacy for?the Marine Center, he?has demonstrated his dedication and commitment to both Broward College and the marine industry at-large.”
Charles is issuing a challenge to the south Florida marine industry and recreational boaters alike. For every dollar donated to the Broward College Marine Technology Center of Excellence capital program, he will match it up to $25,000.

Whit Kirtland has joined the Bradford Marine Yacht Sales Team as a broker. Over the past 28 years, Kirtland has brokered yachts of all types and sizes and has represented builders in the marketing and sale of new yachts at his former post at Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock. He is the third generation of his family to be in the maritime business.
Kirtland serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association. He’s also on the Board of the International Superyacht Society, participates in the Marine Industries Association of South Florida and the National Yacht Brokers’ Certification program, and served on the Certification Advisory Council of the Certified Professional Yacht Brokers’ program.

Technician Mike McKittrick of Deltaville Boatyard on Jackson Creek, Virginia, adds Certified Advanced Marine Electronics Installer to his long list of certifications. McKittrick, a technician with Deltaville Boatyard since 2006, completed the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) course in January.
His accomplishments and certifications include NMEA 2000 Network, American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Marine Electrician, ABYC Marine Systems, and Raymarine Certified Installer.

Louis H. Munkelwitz, a former vice president and general manager of Interlux North America, died March 7 at age 85 in Crossville, Tennessee. Prior to joining Interlux, Munkelwitz worked for the Harvey Hubbell Company and Woolsey Paint. He retired in 1980 and moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he became a consultant to the Pro-Line Marine Paint Co. He later consulted and assisted Nautical Coatings Co. in establishing their products in the Bahamas and Caribbean Islands.

Marine Travelift, Inc., has promoted Stephan Chayer to managing director international sales/business development where he will be responsible for all international marine, industrial and government sales. Chayer began with Marine Travelift in 1998 as an International Sales Engineer.?He was promoted to Director of European Sales in 2003, and named International Director in 2006.?

Blue Sea Systems has named CALA Marine as its sales representative for the Latin American territory including the Caribbean. CALA Marine’s founder and principal, Ralph Masso, will lead the Miami based representative group’s sales and customer support activities in the region.
? “Ralph’s personal experience serving Latin American customers make his group the right agency to represent our products,” said David Johnson of Blue Sea Systems.

Dr. Ned Dikmen, publisher of Great Lakes Boating magazine and chairman of the Great Lakes Boating Federation, was recently appointed to the Sport Fishing & Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC), by Ken Salazar, U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
The SFBPC is responsible for conserving, restoring, and enhancing the quality, function, sustainable productivity, and distribution of aquatic resources that support and increase recreational fishing opportunities nationwide. It also serves to increase public awareness of the importance of aquatic resources and benefits of recreational fishing and boating. In late 2005, Dikmen founded the Great Lakes Boating Federation, an advocacy voice and marketplace for the 4.3 million boaters on the Great Lakes.

Charlie and Ginny Cary, founders of The Moorings, were named to “SAIL Magazine’s Top 40 Sailors Who Made a Difference.” The magazine profiled the couple saying, “Charlie and Ginny’s Tortola-based bareboat company was not the first of its type, however, The Moorings took bareboat chartering and charter yacht ownership to a whole new level.” The Carys founded The Moorings in 1969 in the B.V.I. with six 35-foot Pearson yachts. They built a company that created unforgettable customer experiences by providing both the utmost in service, and a means for charterers to explore exotic destinations.

KZValve introduced Barry Kitrell as the company’s new marketing and product line manager. Kitrell is actually returning to KZValve. Many customers will remember Kitrell was on the KZ staff from 1999 through 2005. Bringing in Kitrell as marketing manager allows Jim Fedde, previously working under the sales and marketing manager title, to focus exclusively on sales, customer service and managing the field sales team.

VETUS, the Dutch manufacturer and sales organization of marine diesel engines and other technical equipment has promoted Jay Stockmann to CEO of both VETUS America and Maxwell America. Stockmann has been executive vice president of VETUS and Maxwell America since June of 2009, and will be replacing John Mardall. Formerly, Stockmann was executive VP of U.S. Sales and Marketing for Lewmar.