October 6 – 8 | La Conner, WA
Join industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinking professionals for a transformative event designed to inspire, educate, and connect.
Networking Sponsor
Presented By
Sponsored By
Lodging Provided By
Questions? Contact Jay Jennings at jay@nmta.net
Welcome to the Northwest Marine Trade Association 2026 Northwest Marina and Boatyard Conference, presented for over twenty years by Marine Floats Inc.
Set along the picturesque waterfront of La Conner, Washington, this gathering brings together industry professionals, business leaders, and enthusiasts from across the region. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a returning participant, this guide provides all the practical details and insider tips you’ll need for an enjoyable and productive experience.
Welcome Reception, 5:30 – 8:00pm
Sponsored by Fisheries Supply
Location: The Firehall Kitchen & Taphouse
Join fellow conference attendees for an evening of networking and conversation before the conference begins.
Registration, Exhibits & Breakfast
Introductions & Ice-breakers
Speaker: All Attendees
Marine Sector Data and Trends
Speaker: Paul Sorensen (BST Associates)
Insurance All Stars
Speakers: Mark Gleason, Kelby Bown & Panel
What’s Hot on the Docks?
Speaker: Chris Dolan
Marine Exchange
Speaker: Patrick Gallagher, Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Puget Sound
Sandwich Bar Lunch
Nearshore Conservation, Mitigation, Frustration & Hope!
Speakers: Dena Horton (PNWA) & Dan Berlin (Anchor QEA)
Clean Water Act and Nearshore Impacts
Speaker: Brad Doll, JD (Foster Garvey)
Sea Level Rise and Climate Change
Speakers: Guillaume Mauger (University of Washington) & Ian Miller
Networking Buffet & Adult Beverages
Sponsored by Bellingham Marine, Inc.
Registration, Exhibits & Breakfast
R2K & Northwest Maritime Center
Speaker: Katie Oman, Acting CEO & Chief Operating Officer, Northwest Maritime Center
Aquatic Lands Leasing
Speaker: Tom Gorman, Division Manager, Aquatic Resources Division, Washington Department of Natural Resources
Port of Seattle
Speaker: Delmas Whittaker, Chief Operating Officer, Maritime Division
Keynote Luncheon
Sponsored by Anchor QEA
Keynote Speaker: Commissioner Dave Upthegrove
Introduction by: Dan Berlin
Employment Law and Consequences
Speakers: Rochelle Doyea & Jeremy F. Wood (Cairncross & Hempelmann)
Swinomish Channel Boat Tour
Sponsored by Eagle Floats, Hosted by San Juan Cruises
RLI Insurance Company
Nathan Ahart is currently the AVP of Ocean Marine Claims in New York City at RLI Insurance Company, which he joined in 2018.
A graduate of Bradley University, Nathan previously worked at a European-based insurer and a London-based maritime claims consultancy. Over the course of his 16-year career, Nathan has handled all types of ocean marine claims.
Northwest Maritime
What does the CEO of Northwest Maritime do? In his own words: “I help people and communities connect with the sea.”
His self-described career path has been “totally accidental.” It began with a post-graduation vacation volunteering on a tall ship and never looked back.
A native of Bellingham, Jake has worked as a professional mariner on freighters to Alaska, petroleum barges on the Chesapeake, tall ships, and taught on longboats for Outward Bound. He credits the sea for making him who he is today, and the value of those experiences is why he has worked for multiple decades to help others experience them firsthand.
Anchor QEA
Dan Berlin is a Principal Scientist at Anchor QEA and has been supporting shoreline cleanup and restoration projects in Puget Sound for 25 years. He is the founder of the Washington Association of Mitigation Banks and specializes in advance mitigation and mitigation bank planning, environmental permitting, contaminated shoreline cleanup, and managing the design and construction of complex cleanup, redevelopment, and restoration projects in the United States and Canada. Dan has a Master’s Degree in wetland science from Duke University.
Fournier Insurance
Kelby Brown is a Commercial Insurance Broker, Risk Advisor and Marine Vertical Lead at Fournier Insurance. With more than 17 years of hands-on experience in the marine industry — starting on the docks at Elliott Bay Marina at age 16 and managing moorage operations for the Port of Edmonds — Kelby brings a rare, boots-on-the-ground understanding of waterfront operations to risk management.
A graduate of the University of Washington, he specializes in structuring comprehensive risk portfolios for marinas, boatyards, yacht repair facilities and marine commercial entities, as well as personal lines for boat owners.
Kelby takes a relationship-first approach, serving as a long-term strategic partner to help marine businesses protect their assets, navigate complex liabilities and build resilient operations.
Marine Engineering
Chris Dolan is the Vice President of Sales and Design at Marina Electrical Equipment (MEE) in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he has worked in marina electrical design and product manufacturing since 2000. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, he contributed to the marina electrical chapter of the ASCE Manual No. 50. Chris also serves on the board of the Association of Marina Industries and is a member of the NFPA 303 Committee, which establishes fire protection and electrical safety standards for marinas and boatyards.
Foster Garvey
Brad Doll’s practice focuses on litigation and advising clients on regulatory matters involving water quality, permitting and hazardous substances. For roughly 10 years, Brad has assisted NMTA and boatyards in matters involving the Boatyard General Permit.
Brad recently represented BNSF Railway Company and a group of public and private permit holders in a high-stakes administrative appeal involving Washington’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit. Brad and the Foster Garvey team secured two settlement agreements with Ecology before the hearing. The team then represented the Permittee-Appellants in a 15-day hearing, successfully defending the permit against challenges from Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and Spokane Riverkeeper, who sought to substantially rewrite the permit. The Board fully affirmed the ISGP and rejected a challenge to provisions of the settlement agreement.
Cairncross & Hempelmann
Rochelle is a member of CH&’s litigation practice group, whose experience lies at the intersection of construction and employment litigation, with an emphasis on representing design professionals in construction-related conflicts, as well as employers in litigation ranging from single-party disputes to complex wage-and-hour class actions.
As the head of CH&’s employment group, Rochelle partners with clients to develop and implement sound workplace policies and HR practices aimed at mitigating risk and preventing disputes. She regularly counsels clients on wage-and-hour compliance, discrimination and harassment claims, leave laws, non-competition and restrictive covenant issues, and other evolving employment law requirements.
When litigation arises, Rochelle has a proven track record of resolving employee claims through negotiation and, when necessary, securing complete defense verdicts at trial. Her broader commercial litigation work encompasses all phases of litigation, including complex contractual analysis, engaging in discovery, depositions and trial.
She works closely with design professional firms to review their services contracts and evaluate risk. Her background in finance and accounting allows Rochelle to recognize operational and project-based challenges, enabling her to deliver practical, business-focused advice that empowers clients to make informed strategic decisions.
As trusted counsel, Rochelle also speaks on a range of employment and construction litigation topics. Her commitment to fair and effective workplace practices has led her to volunteer with various community groups and provide pro bono employment and anti-harassment trainings for business and trade organizations.
Intact Insurance
Dawn began her insurance career on the brokerage side. After approximately 10 years, she moved to the company side, spending 10 years at Navigators, now The Hartford, where she worked her way up to Senior Underwriter.
She is currently in her 17th year as Regional President for Intact’s North Pacific Ocean Marine Region. The region’s business follows the broker’s state of operation and currently serves Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and Washington.
Marine Executive Programs
Patrick Gallagher is the Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, leading efforts to improve maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in the Pacific Northwest. A retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with over 20 years of service, he held key roles including Executive Officer at Station New York and Response Department Head at Sector Honolulu. In his current role, Patrick works with the Coast Guard, port authorities, shipping companies, and environmental groups to promote collaboration and best practices across the industry. He chairs the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee and serves on several advisory councils, reflecting his deep commitment to maritime resilience and sustainability.
RLI Marine Insurance
Mark Gleason is a Technical Marine Underwriting Manager with RLI Marine Insurance. He has been in the marine insurance industry for the past seven years as both an underwriter and broker. Prior to that, he was a maritime industry lobbyist, trade association executive director and consultant.
He started his maritime industry career as a commercial fisherman in Alaska, California and Washington. He has a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in Earth Systems, Science & Policy from California State University Monterey Bay.
In his spare time, Mark serves on several maritime boards of directors and committees. He doesn’t currently own a boat, but looks forward to the day he can see his name in lights on the Washington Sea Grant/NMTA Boat Sales Data Dashboard!
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Tom Gorman is the Aquatic Resources Division Manager for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. As Division Manager, he leads a team of land managers, planners and scientists that implement more than 20 programs centered on management of state-owned aquatic lands, including Leasing and Habitat Stewardship, Derelict Vessel Removals, Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Derelict Structure Removals, Nearshore Science and Monitoring, and Aquatic Reserve Management.
Prior to joining DNR, Tom was a Research Scientist at Virginia Tech, where he led a research team that investigated wildlife conservation and habitat management approaches and implemented wetland and riparian restoration.
Tom received his Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech, his M.S. in Biology from Minnesota State University, and his B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine.
Pacific Northwest Association
Dena Horton joined the PNWA team in September 2019. She brings significant federal and regional experience and a deep knowledge of the issues and projects in PNWA’s portfolio, having served as Senator Maria Cantwell’s Southwest Washington Outreach Director for over five years. Horton was also a project manager for over seven years for PNWA member Normandeau Associates, and served as a district representative for former Congressman Brian Baird for over four years.
Horton earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Gonzaga University, and completed master’s degree coursework in Public Affairs at Washington State University – Vancouver. She is also a General George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award Recipient, graduate of Leadership Clark County, and has a long record of volunteer service in her community. Horton lives in Vancouver, Wash.
Washington Sea Grant
Dr. Ian Miller is Washington Sea Grant’s coastal hazards specialist, working out of Peninsula College in Port Angeles. Ian works with coastal communities, tribes and public agencies in Washington State to strengthen their ability to plan for and manage coastal hazards, including tsunamis, chronic erosion, coastal flooding and other hazards associated with climate change.
He brings a suite of tools to this challenge, including outreach, coordination, applied research, a synthesis of existing science, and assistance in securing whatever funding and additional expertise communities may need.
BST Associates
Paul Sorensen is a principal with BST Associates. Paul founded BST in 1986, following 10 years of consulting with major architecture & engineering firms. He holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Washington. Paul was chairman of the board of the Northwest Marine Trade Association for the past two fiscal years.
BST has assisted public and private clients with economic and financial analysis of waterfront and other development projects. His ability to deliver useful analyses, both on time and on budget, has given BST a solid reputation in the industry.
Brands That Shine
Jessica added Aflac to the company’s marine business in 2025 because of the need for greater awareness of voluntary benefits and the value they provide to marina, shop and boatyard owners.
Her work focuses on reducing workers’ compensation claims and offering affordable benefits to employees in a world where health insurance is increasingly difficult to provide.
Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands
Commissioner Upthegrove is focused on protecting clean air, clean water and habitat, continuing to improve wildfire prevention and response, and expanding recreational opportunities. He is dedicated to leading with a strong focus on equal rights and fair treatment, including honoring the sovereignty of Washington’s tribes. He is honored to lead the talented and driven staff at the Department of Natural Resources and proud to support its 2,200 employees as they manage Washington’s lands and resources and meet challenges head-on.
Dave’s love of the outdoors developed at a young age. He spent his summers in high school and college working for the Boy Scouts, teaching young people about conservation on Dabob Bay and leading week-long treks through the Cascade Mountains. His interest in politics developed on campus at the University of Colorado, where he earned his degree in Environmental Conservation and Biology, later earning a graduate certificate in Energy Policy from the University of Idaho.
Before being elected to serve as Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave spent 12 years representing the diverse working-class suburbs of South King County in the State House of Representatives. Most recently, he represented his community for more than a decade as a member of the King County Council, where he worked with his colleagues to preserve public lands and manage growth, parks, wastewater and transportation in environmentally sustainable ways.
As Chair of the King County Flood Control District, Dave doubled funding for salmon recovery and led major reforms to better protect central Puget Sound rivers, experience he brings to DNR. Commissioner Dave Upthegrove is the first openly LGBT statewide executive office holder in the history of Washington State. He lives with his husband, Chad, cat Dobby and dog Benji in Des Moines, Washington.
Port of Seattle
Delmas Whittaker serves as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Maritime Division at the Port of Seattle, overseeing cohesive and effective maritime operations aligned with the Port’s strategic goals. He focuses on financial sustainability through revenue generation while advancing environmental stewardship and equity.
He leads strategic planning, operational continuity, and high-performing team development, fostering strong partnerships with stakeholders and customers. Delmas manages operating budgets, asset utilization, tariff development, and capital project sponsorship, while also serving as the division’s primary decision-maker and external representative. He actively engages in Port-wide initiatives, public forums, and collaborates closely with Government and Tribal Relations to ensure regulatory compliance and shared policy advancement.
With a background in public service, Delmas previously held leadership roles including Director of Marine Maintenance, Senior Manager of Commercial Fishing, and Aviation Maintenance Logistics Manager.
He holds an M.A. in Organizational Leadership, a B.S. in Social Sciences, and an A.A. in General Studies. A recipient of a diversity award, Delmas is also active in anti-human trafficking initiatives and maritime community leadership.
Travelers
Chris Wetzel is a Senior Risk Control Specialist for Ocean Marine at Travelers, where he has spent the past eight years helping clients navigate the complex risk landscape of the maritime industry.
Before joining Travelers, he served 30 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, including 16 years in the Marine Safety Program as a vessel inspector and casualty investigator. That combination of federal oversight experience and private-sector risk management gives him a perspective on marine risk that is both regulatory and operational.
BST Associates
Brian Winningham joined BST Associates in 1988 following his graduation from the University of Washington with degrees in Economics and Business Administration. Brian has been a key contributor to all of BST Associates’ projects, and his extensive experience in analyzing boating data has been a key to the firm’s success.
Brian is also an avid boater — if paddling counts — and owns four different paddle craft.
Cairncross & Hempelmann
As a member of the CH& Employment team, Jeremy’s practice focuses on counseling businesses on compliance with federal and Washington employment laws, agency regulations and proactive workplace planning, including employee training programs, handbooks and policy development. He also advises on employee and consumer privacy obligations that may affect the workplace.
To ensure wraparound service for his clients, Jeremy also defends employers in state and federal court across a range of employment matters, drawing not only on his deep experience as a litigator but also as a part-time judge.
Before joining CH&, Jeremy practiced at the largest labor and employment firm in the world, where he represented employers in complex disputes, including matters involving trade secrets and workplace guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier in his career, Jeremy served as an Assistant Seattle City Attorney, representing the City in constitutional and high-stakes litigation. He has also advised private and governmental clients on environmental regulation, natural resources and corporate affairs.
Jeremy regularly speaks and writes on emerging workplace issues. His insights have been featured in major media and industry publications, including The Seattle Times, SHRM, HR Dive, Unemployment Claims Journal, and Tribal Gaming & Hospitality. He has also presented to regional and national industry groups on workplace health and compliance issues.
Jeremy maintains a robust pro bono docket, representing clients ranging from migrant families seeking asylum to legislative bodies defending police transparency statutes.
Nestled in the heart of downtown La Conner on the Swinomish Channel, where exploring is convenient and memorable. Within walking distance to one-of-a-kind restaurants, boutique shopping, the Museum of Northwest Art, Skagit Historical Museum, and the Quilt & Textiles Museum. Don’t miss the Oyster & Thistle Restaurant & Pub located on the second floor!
Call The La Conner Inn at (360) 466-3101 to make your reservation (Reference NW Marina & Boatyard Conference for group rates) or reserve online HERE.
Get Directions
The La Conner Channel Lodge is a scenic and comfortable retreat for conference attendees, located along the Swinomish Channel with convenient access to the quaint restaurants and ships in historic La Conner. With well-appointed rooms, complimentary breakfast, and high-speed Wi-Fi, it offers a relaxing environment between sessions.
Call The La Conner Channel Lodge at (360) 466-1500 to make your reservation (Reference NW Marina & Boatyard Conference for group rates) or reserve online HERE.
Get Directions
All stays include complimentary continental breakfast served daily from 7-10 AM, parking for one vehicle & WIFI.
Check-in Time: 4PM | Check-out Time: 11 AM
Note: These reservations are for a 2-night stay. If you would like to extend your stay it is best to call in to make their reservation over the phone.
A heartfelt thank you to our SPONSORS! We truly appreciate your support — please take a moment to learn more about them and the important role they play in making this event possible.
A big thank you to our EXHIBITORS! Be sure to stop by their booths and show your support — they’re an important part of our event.”
Here’s a great way to spend a day in La Conner, WA—a charming waterfront town full of character and scenic beauty, and the perfect setting for the 2025 NW Marina and Boatyard Conference (October 8–10).
Start your day at Maple Hall, the historic yet modern venue where the conference will take place. From there, take a stroll through La Conner’s picturesque streets, perhaps stopping at the cozy La Conner Channel Inn or La Conner Country Inn, both known for their warm hospitality.
Grab lunch at the Firehall Bar and Grill, enjoy a coffee at a local café, or sample regional wines at nearby tasting rooms. For a peaceful break, take a walk along the waterfront boardwalk overlooking the Swinomish Channel—an ideal spot to relax and enjoy the view.
Explore the town’s unique shops, like its locally loved yarn stores, and soak in the creative, small-town atmosphere. La Conner is an especially welcoming place for couples, with its charming inns and laid-back vibe offering a perfect retreat.
We can’t wait for you to experience all that La Conner has to offer during the conference!
