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BST Associates
Our current Board Chair, Paul Sorensen, joined the Board in 2016. Paul founded BST Associates in 1986 and has been an NMTA member since 2009. BST Associates provides economic and financial consulting for marinas, boatyards, marine terminals and associated waterfront development. Recent projects have included the City of Des Moines Marina Redevelopment plan, land use planning for the Port of Bellingham, valuation assessment for a private developer in Anacortes and an updated Strategic Plan for the Port of Astoria.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
NMTA provides excellent service to all aspects of the boating industry, which is critical to maintain and grow an industry that is a key economic sector in Washington State.
As Board Chair, what would you like NMTA members who aren’t as involved in NMTA as you and the other Board members are, know about NMTA’s work?
NMTA’s services are broader than many members realize. It is a one-stop shop that serves the entire boating industry — boat dealers/brokers, marinas, boatyards and accessory providers —with sales opportunities (boat shows), lobbying at all governmental levels, education (marina/boatyard conference), health trust, and much more.
What boat did you learn to boat on?
I learned to boat and water-ski at Redondo Beach behind a family friend’s Bayliner.
What’s your idea of a perfect day on the water?
Crabbing in Anacortes – rowing a 12-foot Sea Nymph into Similk Bay.
What are some fun things NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an economist with a sense of humor.
Global Marine Insurance
Mike has been an NMTA member for over 35 years. He joined the Board in 2017 and moved to the Executive Committee in 2021. He began his career in the water ski segment of the marine industry while attending the University of Washington and competing in water ski tournaments on the national level. Mike previously worked as the vice president of sales at HO Sports, a position he held for 8 years. He also sits on the board of directors and the executive and finance committees for USA Waterski and Wakesports Foundation.
Get to know Mike:
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
The Seattle Boat Show is an obvious one. I also appreciate the Association’s commitment to growing boating and its support of non profit organizations to help make people aware of all the great things you can do on the water.
What would you like NMTA members who aren’t as involved in NMTA as you and
the other Board members know about NMTA’s work?
NMTA does so much for its current and potential members and fights for the industry in so many ways. I have been involved in protecting the waters for water sports, which are getting attacked unfairly and blamed for shoreline
damage, invasive species and anything else they can pin on the sport. NMTA fights hard for the sport as well as fishing or anything else that is a threat
to recreational boating in the Northwest. There is no other state or region that fights as hard as the NMTA for its member businesses. Membership is an incredible value.
What boat did you learn to boat on?
Hydrodyne Tournament Boat with twin 100 HP Evinrude outboards
What was your first boat?
Ski Nautique
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
I lived on Lake Tapps for many years and enjoyed the lake mostly in the fall and the spring when it was not overcrowded. As a family we would pull the ski boat up to Alder Lake and spend the day. In the summer we would go at least once or twice a week.
What’s your idea of a perfect day on the water?
For me it’s just being on the water!
What are some fun things NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
I was a tournament water skier starting at the age of 13.
Although I have not flown for more than 20 years, I have over 2,500 hours as a multi-engine private pilot and have owned 3 airplanes.
AkzoNobel
Tony has worked in recreational boating in the Northwest for 34 years! Tony represents Awlgrip, Interlux and Sea Hawk for AkzoNobel on the West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii. Previously he was with SeaHawk Paints for 16 years, and a distributor for them for two years prior to that. AkzoNobel is one of the largest coatings companies in the world with a full portfolio of above and below the waterline coatings.
Tony has served on the Board continuously since 2012, currently sits on the Boat Show Committee and previously served on the Boatyard Committee.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
Prior to being on the Board, I always appreciated the fabulous job the team does producing the largest boat show on the West Coast. Now, after a decade on the Board, I realize there is SO much more that the NMTA does to help promote and sustain recreational boating and support all of us in the business.
From lobbying in Olympia to boat shows, Grow Boating grants, producing the Marina & Boatyard conference to supporting Superyacht Northwest and more, they touch and impact every aspect of recreational boating in the PNW.
What’s your favorite Seattle Boat Show memory?
When I was young I would take the bus to the Seattle Center Coliseum and back to see the show. I was one of those kids that wasn’t buying, just dreaming of being a boat owner. And the rest as they say is history.
What’s your personal boating history?
I learned to boat on an 11′ Boston Whaler and the first boat I owned was a 22’ 1947 Chris Craft – Sportsman—she was gorgeous! I currently have a 13′ Boston Whaler for the kids, and a 23’ Bluewater, both on a mooring in south Puget Sound in Filucy Bay.
Where is your favorite place to go boating? Idea of a perfect day on the water?
I don’t have a favorite place but I believe we live in the best cruising waters in the world. Any day on the water is a perfect day but my favorite would have to be a trip that involves many nights on the boat, preferably in the summer months, anywhere in the world with a different marina or anchorage every day. For day trips you can’t beat South Puget Sound.
Fisheries Supply Company
Alex Sutter joined the Board in July of 2016 and moved to the Executive Committee of the Board in 2019. Fisheries Supply is the largest distributor of marine products in the Pacific Northwest and is a family owned business. It is also one of the original NMTA members, joining in 1947 and exhibiting at every Boat Show since!
Alex started working at Fisheries as a young kid and continued working there through high school. He returned for two years after college, left for a career in law, and returned to Fisheries in 2013, where he now serves as president.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA
How its shows and other programs help to create a community among the companies in our industry.
What would you like NMTA members who aren’t as involved in NMTA as you and the other Board members to know about NMTA’s work?
The NMTA provides a lot benefits for members besides the Seattle Boat Show. Just a couple of examples: it is continually lobbying all levels of government for the benefit of our members, and the health trust provides members with high quality health insurance at affordable rates.
What’s your favorite Seattle Boat Show memory?
When as a young teenager my parents bought the 21’ Bayliner Capri with way too much engine that was on display directly across from our booth at Olympic Boat Centers.
What boat did you learn to boat on?
13’ Boston Whaler and a Laser.
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
Desolation Sound, especially on those rare warm and windy days.
What’s something NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
I have never gone salmon fishing. Still waiting for my invitation from George. 😉
CSR Marine
Scott started CSR Marine with his partner Tim Ryan in 1978.
He has served on the Board since 2010, and previously served as the chair of the NMTA Boatyard Committee.
CSR has two locations in Ballard and Des Moines. It is acknowledged as a regional authority on fiberglass repair and composite construction. It is also an authorized warranty repair and insurance repair facility and performs expert woodworking for both exteriors and interiors for the classic yacht lover.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
When you are a member of NMTA you have a great resource to keep up to date on what is happening in the marine business. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and well-connected, not just within the marine industry but also in the halls of government, educational institutions and more. They have an open door policy. You can pick up the phone anytime and call George or anyone else on staff and they will help with whatever you need or have questions about. And they put up with me. 😊
What boat did you learn to boat on?
An El Toro sailboat on Green Lake in 1964. My dad and I then built a plywood El Toro in the basement. It was stolen before I got it in the water. I used the insurance money to buy a plastic sailing dinghy.
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
Any place there is water. If you boat, the world is yours for the taking. You just have to take one step from the dock to the boat.
What’s something NMTA members might be surprised to learn
about you?
I cheated on my swimming test so I could start my career in sailing. It was pretty dumb as you couldn’t go out on the dock without a life jacket on. You also had to take the swimming test fully-clothed with shoes on. Who wears a full set of clothes on a dinghy in the summertime. REALLY?!
In the first grade our teacher asked us to create something illustrating the letter ‘B.’ In a sign of things to come, I chose boats even though I’d never been on one.
Seattle Boat Company
Seattle Boat Co. is a full-service marine dealer with five locations in the greater Seattle area, offering boat sales and service, storage, SkyLaunch marina service, fuel docks and FunShare boat club. In 2023, they acquired Tobler Marina, the oldest certified dealer and one of the largest boat dealerships serving northern Idaho and Spokane.
Prior to joining the Board, Elizabeth served on the Seattle Boat Show and Grow Boating committees.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
All of the layers NMTA provides to our industry – not just the Seattle Boat Show but also the Group Health Trust benefits, connections and relationships between all professionals in the industry, education and seminars and the advocacy work NMTA does that allows our businesses to continue to grow.
What do you hope to contribute to the Board?
I think a Board benefits from a variety of voices and perspectives and look forward to adding mine, and listening and and learning from others so that we can build on NMTA’s excellent work, achieve common goals and foster innovation to grow the industry.
Favorite boating memories?
My dad was a competitive water skier when he was younger, and when I was in elementary school, he would pull us out of school early sometimes in late spring/early summer to head down to ski at a private water ski lake as a family. As a teenager we spent many summers as a family boating in Desolation Sound. Dad would whip us around on the innertubes behind the dinghy, we’d play card games for hours, and I remember always wanting to be in the warm Desolation water!
What’s your idea of a perfect day on the water?
Starting the day on Lake Washington with a morning wake surf session and ending the day on the boat enjoying the sun and relaxing with friends. And if I were to pick more than just a day boating, I would say San Juan’s and Desolation Sound would be some of my most favorite places to go boating – it is shocking how beautiful the PNW is and we are so lucky to have such great access to this type of boating.
What do you like to do when not boating?
I’m an avid equestrian. When I’m not boating, I’m riding. I actively compete and really enjoy three-day eventing. I also have two big labs that I adore even with all of their chaotic energy! I enjoy snow skiing in the winter and staying active year round.
Port of Anacortes
John Dumas is the Director of Operations at the Port of Anacortes. John brings a demonstrated history of working in both private and government industries, with over 20 years of management and leadership roles in manufacturing and operations. After serving 8 years in the United States Navy, he served in accounting, quality and safety roles with a manufacturing company that led him to the role of Site Leader for locations in Anacortes, WA and Houston, TX with over 70 employees and $25 million in annual sales. In 2017, he took the position of Director of Operations at the Port of Anacortes where he worked on establishing foundational management standards over 4 distinct operational centers. Away from work, John is married to Megan and has three children, one in college, one in high school, and one in 3rd grade. A true passion away from work and family is coaching athletics, and is extremely proud of his role coaching the 2023 Anacortes High School football program to its first state title in history.
Aspen Power Catamarans
Nick is a sales executive at Aspen Power Catamarans. Aspen produces innovative, high speed displacement power catamarans with asymmetrical hulls, known for their efficiency and stability.
Nick has been at Aspen since its inception in 2008. In addition to managing Aspen’s new and used sales and training new owners, his other duties include project management for new boat builds and liaising with the customers.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
I feel the NMTA is a great resource for all businesses in recreational boating in the Pacific Northwest, and an important and consistent voice for businesses and boaters in Olympia. Plus they organize one of the best boat shows in the country!
Why did you decide to run for the Board?
I’ve been a member and have participated in the Seattle Boat Show since 2002. I felt it was time to get involved on a deeper level to contribute my time to the Association and help with the mission of growing boating in the PNW.
What do you hope to contribute?
I’ve always been a creative thinker and problem solver, finding unique solutions for complex problems, and look forward to using those skills to tackle issues facing our industry. As the newest Board member, initially I’ll be listening and learning a lot. But I’d also love to work on workforce development, a critical area of need. As an industry, we need to invest more resources into our workforce and future boaters. I feel most young people are unaware that a career path in the boating industry can be very lucrative and gratifying.
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
For me the adventure of discovering new secret places is a thrill and by far my favorite region to play on the water is the Pacific Northwest.
What’s your idea of a perfect day on the water?
Wake up, dive in off the swim step, drink coffee and eat, cruise to the next place, jump in and snorkel, dry off and dinghy to explore shoreline, head back out for an afternoon kiteboarding session, return in time for happy hour, fire up the BBQ, eat dinner in the cockpit, sack out under the stars. Repeat.
What are some fun things NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
Essentially everything I do for fun requires or should require a helmet. I love winter sports; snowmobiling is at the top of the list. I hate fishing, but love catching. The harder the challenge, the more determined I get and the harder I push myself to overcome.
Tom-n-Jerry's & Master Marine
Tom-n-Jerry’s Boat Center, located in Mt. Vernon, WA, is the
northwest’s ‘Aluminum Giant,’ specializing exclusively in aluminum boats. It also has a full service marine facility, with a 14,000 square foot service center and a well-stocked parts and accessories department. Kelly purchased Tom-n-Jerry’s in 2008 and Master Marine in 2017.
Kelly joined the NMTA Board in 2021. Prior to that he served
on the Boat Show Committee and chaired it from 2019-2021. He also currently serves as a board member for the NMTA Health Trust.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
They really care about my business. Their success is
directly related to how well mine and other businesses in the association do. They not only keep tabs on what’s going on in Olympia but they help me promote and manage my stores.
What would you like to tell members who might not be as
involved or knowledgeable about NMTA’s work as as you are?
Without the involvement of NMTA there would be more policies coming out of Olympia that would directly have a negative effect on their business. NMTA fights hard so we can provide for our families and employees’ families.
Your boating history?
Our first boat when I was a kid in the 70s was a Thunderbird Tri Hull with a Mercury 110 hp on it. My dad bought it because he figured we couldn’t tip it over. We learned to water ski on Big Lake in Skagit County and had many fun memories. The first boat I ever owned was a 1977 21-foot Glasply. I caught a ton of fish in that boat.
Favorite place to go boating?
A small lake just outside of Endako, British Columbia. Nice trout, no noise and the loons will swim right by you. Usually I’m the only one there. I haven’t been there in awhile but it’s one of my fondest memories and makes for the perfect day.
Usually now I spend most my time fishing the San Juan’s and
the west side of Vancouver Island.
What’s something NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
In my early 20s I had a job hauling explosives to a molybdenum mine in British Columbia. I would haul them to the open pit mine and put them in drill holes that were 18 – 20 meters deep. The blast crew would cover them when I was done and then set the charge. It was pretty amazing to watch.
I’m also an amateur bee keeper. I only have four hives but they produce about 14 gallons of honey a year. Pretty sweet!
Fluid Motion, LLC
Jeff has been at Fluid Motion — builder of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats and Solara Boats — since 2008 and is responsible for customer service, sales and marketing.
Fluid Motion is a family-owned business with seven manufacturing locations in the Pacific Northwest and a factory delivery center at the Des Moines Marina where customers from all over North America come to learn more about their new boats. They also host one of the largest rendezvous in the world at Roche Harbor Marina every September. This year they’ll have 200 boats (500 people) in attendance!
Jeff was appointed to the Board in 2022 to fill the unexpired term of Gregg Reynolds. He served on the Boat Show Committee 2006-2012 and chaired the committee July 2008- June 2010.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
The Association puts on a really extraordinary Seattle Boat Show. We participate in boat shows around the country and our Seattle show is first class.
What might members not know about NMTA?
The scope of all of that they do beyond the Seattle Boat Show. It’s impressive and includes work in healthcare, government affairs, for boatyards and marinas and more.
What’s your favorite Seattle Boat Show memory?
Working many shows with my dad, Steve, in the Olympic Boat Center booth. I tried not to take that time for granted but now that he is not around, I really appreciate everything that I learned from him. My other favorite memory was the feeling when we walked into Lumen Field Event Center for the first boat show after having been shut down by Covid. I had goosebumps!
First boat(s)?
My first boat was a 1966 17’ Bayliner that we repowered with a 140 HP Mercruiser I/O. I reupholstered it, buffed the turquoise gelcoat and thought it was the coolest boat on the lake! I also had a 16’ Prindle catamaran. If it was blowing, we would take the Prindle. If it was calm then we would go water skiing on Lake Stevens. Pretty tough decisions for a teenager!
What’s your idea of a perfect day on the water?
Anchored with a stern tie in Desolation Sound, rafted to good friends. The kids are in the tender catching dinner while I sip a cold one.
What are some fun things NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
We have a small family farm in Woodinville. We have a few chickens for their fresh eggs and five alpacas that make great lawnmowers!
Signature Yachts
Tori joined Signature Yachts in 2002 after two years spent sailing through the South Pacific. She thought she’d try her hand at yacht sales for ‘awhile’ and has never looked back. In January 2020, she became president and co-owner. It is the only woman-owned dealership in the Pacific Northwest and represents Beneteau sailboats and Fontaine Pajot catamarans, as well as brokerage power and sail.
Tori joined the NMTA Board and Boat Show committee in 2020 and is currently serving her second year as chair of the committee.
What would you like NMTA members to know about NMTA’s work?
NMTA has a fabulous and talented staff but it’s also an organization run for the industry by the industry. Members from all different aspects of it —boat dealers and brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers, accessories and services vendors — all volunteer their time and expertise.
The board and committee members have a big say in NMTA’s direction and decisions. For example, the Boat Show committee was involved and instrumental in figuring out how to put on boat shows during Covid and the difficulties that went along with that. NMTA staff and its member volunteers are always looking at where and how they can help our entire industry move forward.
What’s your boating history?
Like so many people I learned on a Laser here in Seattle, then on my best friend’s family boat, a Choy Lee Offshore 41. I then honed my skills sailing from Seattle to the Caribbean on my family’s Hallberg Rassy 41. The first boat I owned was “Sea Fever,” a 1956 Ben Seaborne 51-foot mahogany sloop built on Lake Union that I bought with my dad and brother and later sailed to the South Pacific. It turned heads everywhere we went!
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
I’ve cruised so many places in the world but here in the Northwest and Canada and I love to cruise the more remote areas like the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
What are some fun things NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
I grew up in a fishing village in Portugal, spent two years on a sailing trip to the South Pacific and New Zealand, have lived on a boat, live in Seattle, and don’t eat any seafood!
Northwest Yachting Magazine
Craig got his start in our industry in 2005, working as a volunteer at the Seattle Boat Show in the will call booth. He took advantage of the show to pass out his resume to marine businesses, received multiple offers, ended up with Marina Management and the rest as they say is history!
He spent 15 years with Marina Management, managing Delin Docks, Dock Street Marina and Foss Landing, and just prior to leaving, Leschi and Lakewood Marinas.
In 2020 he joined NW Yachting magazine — the largest boating publication in the Pacific Northwest— where he runs the distribution side of the magazine and is also a sales rep.
Craig served on the Board from 2012 – 2019 and as Board Chair from 2017-2019. He was re-elected to the Board in 2022.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
NMTA works very hard for its members and anyone recreating on Pacific NW waters. Its reach is felt around the country. As someone who was involved in marina management for more than 15 years, I really appreciated NMTA’s efforts with the legislature and other policy makers on environmental issues facing marinas and boatyards, and their work with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on behalf of anglers.
What’s your personal boating history?
My parents had a restaurant at Skyline Marina in Anacortes. Since I grew up at the marina, the water was my playground and I was on it as much as possible. My family had a 27’ Fairliner and we spent countless days island hopping.
I got the sailing bug when I was eight. I bought my first El Toro from the Smith Brothers on Samish Island. We became friends and I was invited to travel with them, heading to regional and national regattas. When my friends were playing sports, I was out on the water racing. Because of those adventures I ended up sailing all over the country on Grand Prix boats, including races to Hawaii and Antigua among others.
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
As much as we like the San Juans, the family loves Desolation Sound. My two boys would rather go up north than go to Disneyland!
What are some fun things NMTA members might be surprised to learn about you?
I donated a kidney to my younger sister 18 years ago in San Francisco. The kidney is still going strong. My other kidney gets flowers every anniversary.
S3 Maritime
Paul has been a member of NMTA for 24 years and is one of three new board members recently elected and whose three-year term started July 1. Welcome Paul, we look forward to having your voice and experience on the Board!
Paul co-founded and became co-owner of S3 Maritime in 2007. S3 Maritime is a full-service yacht repair company that now has 65 employees and four locations in the Pacific Northwest. S3’s main office and shop location is right on the ship canal about a half mile in from the Hiram Chittenden Locks, at Salmon Bay Marine Center. If the locations do not work for customers, their services do extend worldwide. Or as they say: Anything. Anytime. Anywhere.
What do you most appreciate about NMTA?
The NMTA offers support and guidance to a wide range of businesses that work in and rely on the marine industry. NMTA’s greatest strength is its staff. As a nationally recognized and respected marine trade organization, the staff continues to lead with innovation and dedication. By working with the various committees, the staff does an excellent job of supporting the membership.
Why did you decide to run for the Board? What do you hope to contribute?
I feel that my 30 plus years of experience in the marine industry will allow me to serve and support the NMTA member businesses. Having been in the marine industry for most of my life I am aware of the challenges that both boat dealers and accessory businesses deal with regularly. Having a balanced board allows all members’ voices to be heard.
Personal Boating History
I learned to boat on small lake boats while fishing and water skiing on the lakes and rivers of North East Washington and Idaho. My first boat was an 18′ Bluewater and my current boat is a 22′ Malibu Wakesetter.
Where is your favorite place to go boating?
Crescent Bar, Washington where we have a vacation home on the Columbia River. I enjoy spending hot summer days on the water with good friends and family.
