Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Washington.
Megan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Newburyport Massachusetts, just north of Boston. I grew up on the Merrimac River, boating, fishing, pulling lobster traps, just loved being on the water! My first week alive my parents brought me on a sea trail for a boat they were purchasing, I guess you can say that started the love for the water.
I have worked in a lot of different locations at a lot of amazing marinas, Newburyport Marina, Nantucket Boat Basin, Boston Yacht Haven, Yacht Haven Grande St Thomas, Miami Beach Marina, Bahia Mar Marina and now Pier 66. Very fortunate to have met some great marine people along the way as well.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life always has obstacles no matter what you are doing, its what you learn from those obstacles and how you react to them that is the most important.
Being a woman in the marine industry does have its challenges, but I really feel we are all on the same road. Yes, there have been some people who have spoken down to me because I am a woman, but smart people do not do that.
There will always be someone who knows more than you no matter what sex. I always try to learn from them, question them and then share the information. If we don’t learn from each other and experiences, we will go nowhere.
Recently a gentleman was explaining something a group I was in about marinas, he turned to me towards the end and said: “you can compare it to an ultrasound, you know with a baby.” I have yet to have children, so I did not really know, but the rest of the men in my group just laughed.
I am fortunate to work with a great team at Pier 66 and Tavistock, where everyone is supported equally.
Please tell us about Pier 66 Marina.
I am currently the Marine Director for Pier Sixty Six, a Tavistock Property. I oversee the marina. Pier Sixty Six is an icon in the Fort Lauderdale community and was recently purchased by Tavistock in 2016 along with the property next to it formerly know as Sails. Tavistock is committed to the Fort Lauderdale and South Florida community. They are excited to invest in the Pier 66 property and are committed to excellence at all their properties.
We have an amazing team at the Pier 66 Marina, and I am determined to make this marina unlike any other. It all starts with the team, and I am confident in this one. My approach is very hands-on, I like to learn about everything first hand.
Pier 66 is a staple in the Fort Lauderdale Community, and we look to give back and support it. The Marina and Pier 66 property has been working with the #1000mermaid project, who is building a reef off Fort Lauderdale Beach. We are also working with 4Ocean to help keep our waters clean.
I am excited to be part of this team and look forward to the new Pier 66.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memories from childhood are the times spent with my family. I am very lucky to have an amazing family, an amazing built-in support system and I couldn’t do it without them.
One of my favorite activities was taking the boat to Cranes Beach, there is a beautiful marsh that you cut through to get there from Newburyport. It looks like something out of a book, on the other side of the creek our family would all gather, swim, pack a picnic and cruise back before sunset. With a salty breeze, it doesn’t get any better than that!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2301 SE 17th St
Fort Lauderdale FL 33316 - Website: www.66mairna.com
- Phone: 954-728-3578
- Email: info@66marina.com
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