Stuart - Thursday March 2, 2023: The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC) has named Justin Beard its first full time Executive Director.
The Association is one of the largest voices in the region advocating for the interests of the boating public and marine profession, and the MIATC Board decided that its efforts now need a full-time executive director.
“There’s a lot of opportunity and challenge across the marine industry and our entire region so we’re elevating our game to meet the needs of our growing membership,” said MIATC Board President Tom Whittington in a news release. “Justin Beard is precisely the caliber of professional we need to help us better demonstrate our value, raise our level of service and anticipate and respond to the priorities of the industry and the boating community as a whole.”
Beard said said the time is right to expand the organization’s prominence and effectiveness.
"MIATC is the perfect position right now,” said Beard. “We can continue building on our unique role as a powerful ally for marine-related businesses, demonstrate our value to the general public ... and prepare for the opportunities that are coming our way with the overwhelming amount of interest going on right now about the Treasure Coast.”
Beard brings diverse industry experience and deep local knowledge to the organization. He has a strong grasp of the issues impacting some of the largest marine companies in the world. He spent more than three years at Derecktor Shipyards introducing the City of Fort Pierce and the surrounding communities to the global yachting industry as manager of marketing and sales development.
His previous extended experience with the United Way sharpened his skills organizing and executing large-scale information, influence and fund-raising campaigns. He also once worked as a reporter for TCPalm.com, even authoring a column on his beloved pastime of surfing.
MIATC is a not-for-profit trade association with members based in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties, MIATC represents commercial and residential marinas, boatyards, boat manufacturers, boat dealers and a variety of marine-related businesses as well as the interests of recreation boaters.
A consistent voice for clean water policies, MIATC also advocates for timely and consistent management of local inlets to ensure safe ocean access, boating safety, anchoring and mooring rights, derelict vessels and water quality.
Founded in 1974, MIATC also puts on the Stuart Boat Show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. In addition to capitalizing on the commemoration of this milestone, Beard plans to explore possible creation of a fundraiser dedicated to addressing the growing need for marine-related job training programs.