BDBMC Leadership Reflects on a Year of Growth and Global Reach
It’s been a true pleasure serving as president of the BDBMC’s Board of Directors, particularly during a period of such progress.
In 2025, the organization really hit its stride. In his second year in Martin County and much more embedded in the community, Executive Director William Corbin concentrated his efforts on fundamental industries such as marine, aviation and advanced manufacturing. This emphasis laid the groundwork for the team to attract three new companies to the area during the following fiscal year.
My colleagues on the executive board continued to keep a keen eye on the BDB’s finances, which showed gains in private sector support. Speaking of, the BDB went international, establishing a presence and building key contacts at the Paris Air Show—the aviation industry’s marquis event—all funded by private dollars.
Thanks to their individual efforts and staff updates, the board of directors demonstrated their deep understanding of our economic development goals and the most effective ways to implement them in Martin County.
For example, in response to consistent feedback in Pulse reports about the needs of local businesses to access capital, we launched the Martin Loan Fund. While the BDB doesn’t provide loans, the partnership with Influsifi enabled us to help connect local entrepreneurs with secure, affordable loans on flexible terms.
This professionalism of the staff and fellow board members allowed me do double duty in my board service, also acting as chairman of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast’s board of directors. That responsibility, which specifically complements my day job as general manager of Indiantown Marine Center, prompted me to exit my BDB presidency a little early. But I was able to do with great confidence in my successor, Lauren Abbott, new BDB president.
I look forward to our continued partnership advancing the marine industry—and celebrating the many forthcoming successes of the BDB.
