2023 May June Marina World

COVER STORY
Promoting a customer-focused culture
Austin Schell
With a mantra to elevate the
recreational boating experience, the
Port 32 management team works
hard to ensure its collection of well
located Florida marinas delivers the
very best to its customers. Newly
appointed CEO, Austin Schell,
shares insight with Marina World.
Q: How are you bringing your
professional expertise to your role as
the new CEO? Do you have a marine
background? What is your major focus
in further developing the company?
A: Our leadership team comes
from a variety of backgrounds,
both inside and outside the marine
industry. The diversity of perspectives
and experiences gives us a deep
foundation of marina expertise,
while simultaneously challenging the
standards of conventional industry
thinking. Since joining, my focus
has been on building a winning
team, building relationships with
our employees, growing through
acquisition, optimising the core
business and cultivating a customerfocused
culture.
Q: Are you intending to remain Floridafocused?
Are you looking at additional
properties in Florida? Do you plan
expansion in any other US states?
A: As a life-long avid boater and
sport fisherman, I tend to think of
our marinas as a launch point for
unforgettable experiences with family
and friends. We want to be wherever
Smith Aerial
people are passionate about boating.
We love Florida because it is a
year-round boating market for our
members; however, we are evaluating
opportunities across the entire Atlantic
Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Specifically,
we target best-in-class properties
and/or redevelopment opportunities
in premier coastal locations. We
want to provide access to incredible
experiences on the water, so we’re
looking at opportunities from a macro
point of view.
Q: How different is your management
approach for wet slip and drystack
marinas?
A: For many of our members, time is
the most valuable resource. Whether
those members prefer a wet slip or a
dry slip, we aspire to offer an elevated
level of service, aided by modern/
innovative technology, so that Port 32
members can focus on stepping on and
off the boat and maximising their time
on the water.
Above: Lighthouse Point Marina on the
Intracoastal Waterway is Port 32’s most
recent acquisition. Previously under family
ownership for over 50 years, the highprofile
property welcomes visitors and
has a loyal customer base. Right: Port 32
Tampa has multiple offerings, with wet
slips, a drystack, repair and maintenance
yard and boat club.
Brian Adams Photography
14 www.marinaworld.com – May/June 2023