Jim Dragseth

Jim Dragseth is a native Floridian raised in the shadow and activity of the Whiticar Boat Yard. He attended Indian River State College and the University of Florida, and his career with Whiticar Boat Works formally began in 1969.

During his tenure with Whiticar Boat Works, Jim has worked in all the trades before assuming a management role and participated in numerous training courses related to the services that Whiticar Boat Works provides.

In his role as President of Whiticar, he has represented the company in various trade and community organizations, including serving on the board of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and Keep Martin Beautiful.

John Whiticar 

Born in Stuart, FL., John Whiticar grew up watching his father, Curt Whiticar, manage Whiticar Boat Works along with his uncle, John Dragseth. John graduated from the University of South Florida, and worked in many facets of the marine industry before joining Whiticar Boat Works in 1982.

John was responsible for many departments within Whiticar before becoming Vice President, including Accounts Receivable, the IT Department, Advertising, Digital Design and Custom Boats. He stills oversees many of these responsibilities.

 Pamela McCarthy 

Pamela McCarthy is the Manager of Administrative Services and has been with Whiticar Boat Works since 2008. Born in Daytona Beach, FL., Pamela grew up around the water and went to college on a swimming scholarship.

Pamela began her work in the marine industry in 1978, working for a marina for 18 years and running a dive shop and beach boutique before joining Whiticar.

Born in Detroit, MI, Cindy Facsko grew up boating and fishing on the Great Lakes. Graduating from Macomb County Community College and the Detroit College of Business, Cindy worked as a bookkeeper for an automotive and aerospace parts supplier in Detroit.

After a blizzard in 1998, Cindy decided it was time to relocate to warmer temperatures, and landed among the warmer weather and sunny beaches of Florida. She began working at Whiticar Boat Works in 2001 in the Accounting Department and assists in Whiticar Yacht Sales boat closings. Though she has developed a love for the Treasure Coast, she remains an avid Detroit Red Wings fan.

Jeanne France was born in Selma, AL, and attended Troy State University in Montgomery, AL, studying Criminal Justice. After retiring from Alabama State Service, Jeanne moved to Florida with her husband.

She began working with Whiticar Boat Works in 1999 and serves as the Data Entry Specialist at Whiticar Boat Yard. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing cards and spoiling her grandchildren.

Dawn Pomykala

Dawn Pomykala joined Whiticar Boat Works from New London/Norwich, CT, where she was born and raised. She began her work in the marine industry when she joined Whiticar Boat Works in 2008.

Dawn serves as the Receptionist and Administrative Assistant for Whiticar Boat Yard and Whiticar Yacht Sales, and enjoys using her spare time for boating, exercising, reading and volunteering for multiple community groups. As an avid New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Bruins fan, she can be found enjoying a professional sports game any time of the year.

Derek Doherty

With 25 years of experience in the area of accounting, Derek Doherty has worked for various businesses including manufacturing, boat building, service, wholesale and retail. He has vast experience in building accounting records from the ground up and in working in growth oriented environments.  His responsibilities have included directing the financial activities of these entities which have generated from $5 to $25 million in revenues.

Derek holds a B.S. Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Randy Swaringen 

Randy Swaringen is a Floridian through and through.  Born in West Palm Beach and a graduate of Florida State University, Randy worked for 12 years in the marine industry before moving to Stuart, FL to join Whiticar Boat Works in 1987.

Working in various aspects of yard foreman, Randy is currently the Supervisor of Whiticar Boat Yard.

John Nickerson 

John Nickerson was raised on the beaches of Southern California and Baja Norte. Growing up, John developed an interest in building and repairing boats, both power and sail. John landed a job with Driscoll Boats. At Driscolls, he had his hands in many major refits and the building of six I.O.R.C. Sailboats, as well as helping with making the 12 Meter Intrepid ready for her 1974 America’s Cup Campaign.

John was relocated to Stuart, FL by Monterey Marine to help with the construction of their new line of cold molded sportfishing vessels. After helping build 14 vessels for Monterey and four other sportfishermen for various clients, John was hired in 1993 by Whiticar Boat Works as a Sub-contractor. Today, after many refits/repowers, he works as the Yard Foreman of Whiticar Boat Yard.

 Calvin Powell 

Born in Nyack, New York, Calvin Powell is no stranger to the boating industry. After graduating from Lincoln Technical Institute with a degree as a Master Mechanic, Calvin served in the US Army for two years in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star.

Returning home from service, Calvin joined his family-owned and operated boat yard, Powell Boat Yard, and managed and operated the business for 16 years. After relocating to Stuart, FL, Calvin continued his work in the marine industry, managing various local marinas before joining Whiticar Boat Works in 1998. Calvin’s experience of the marine industry coupled with his passion for boating has made him a superior Yard Supervisor at Whiticar Boat Yard. In addition to his responsibilities in the Boat Yard, Calvin is a licensed yacht broker and works with the clientele of Whiticar Yacht Sales.

Wendy Lutz

Wendy Lutz was born in Syracuse, New York and attended SUNY Farmingdale where she studied Business Management.

Wendy has spent much of her professional career working in the marine sector, working with three yacht sales companies as an Office Manager and as a Closing Specialist before joining Whiticar Boat Yard as the Billing Coordinator. She enjoys horseback riding, fishing and
    boating in her spare time.

 Matt Waldbart

As a native Floridian, Matt Waldbart knows just how important the tourism, construction and marine industries are in the state of Florida, and joins Whiticar Boat Works with more than 20 years of experience in these core industries. He is a proud graduate of the University of South Florida and brings his expertise in Supply Chain Management and Inventory Control to the Whiticar Boat Yard as the Parts Manager.

Matt enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and volunteering within the community. He has been recognized for his volunteer work with the Robbins Foundation Basket Brigade and for volunteering at various nursing homes.

Jed Wood has more than 20 years experience in boat building.  In his early years he spent nearly a decade with Hinckley Yacht, starting with an entry level position and quickly working his way up to production supervisor, where he was responsible for quality control and on-time completion.  

As founder, president, and owner of E.G. Wood & Co., Jed managed a subcontracting business primarily focused on just-in-time construction of both solid and composite yacht components. His natural creative abilities and time management skills led this company to years of collaborations with organizations like The Hinckley Company, Hunt Yachts, and Boston Boatworks. Hailing from Maine, Jed is happy to be sailing in the warm waters of South Florida and working with the crew at Whiticar Boat Works.  

Adolf Ellert

Adolf Ellert was born in Hattem, Netherlands. After receiving his degree in Criminal Justice and Electronics, Adolf continued his training obtaining various manufacturers certificates. He also served in the US Air Force before beginning his work in the marine industry.

Adolf joined Whiticar Boat Works in 1998 and serves as the Manager of Shearwater Marine.

Carolyn Lipman 

Jimmy Langford 

Rich Gardner

Sailing began as a hobby for Rich Gardener in 1972. Since then, he has owned four sailboats and two powerboats, and completed four transatlantic crossings. Married with four children, Rich and his wife homeschooled their two youngest children from the sea. He is a graduate of Flagler College with a BA in Business and was a member of the USMCR from 1976-1996. As a member of the U.S. National Shooting Team for 8 years, Rich is a distinguished pistol shooter and a three-time National Pistol Champion.

A senior rigger for 10 years, Rich began working as the Rigging Department Supervisor at Whiticar North in late 2011, and enjoys working with an experienced first-class team of people.

Joe Valenza 

Born in Baltimore, MD, Joe Valenza grew up fishing and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. He began his training as a Marine Electrician and Systems Mechanic in 1972, and spent his spare time doing offshore sport fishing. In 1978, Joe started his own marine repair and charter sailing business.

As a holder of a 100 Ton U.S. Coast Guard license, Joe has executed numerous yacht deliveries in locations ranging from Maine to the Panama Canal and Peru. After 25 years in business, Joe moved his family to Sebastian, FL, where he began working for Whiticar Marine North in 2005.

Brian Magnant 

Originally from Chicago, Brian found himself craving warmer weather and made the journey about as far south as you can go - to Key Largo, FL, where he spent 18 years. While in the Florida Keys, he owned an eco-tour business, and this is where his passion for boats began.

After managing an electronics store, and then shifting to marine parts and tackle, Brian joined the Whiticar team at the Fort Pierce location of Whiticar Marine North in May of 2012. Brian spends his spare time fishing and playing basketball, and all these years later, he stills enjoy the warmer weather in Florida.

Darrell Zeran 

Darrel Zeran has been part marine business for over 30 years.  Working many years with such boat builders as Tiara/Pursuit and Island Packet.  In the 1990s, he completed an Electronics degree and switched all focus to marine electronics.

He is certified NMEA/ MEI advanced Marine Electronics installer, and also certified with Raymarine, Furuno, Garmin, Simrad, KVH, and others.

Darrell recently stepped away as owner of Performance Marine Electronics to join the Whiticar team. Our goal is to provide excellent technical knowledge with the convience of the Whiticar North Yard. His vast experience can help you with any type of Electronics upgrades. We can design a cohesive package to fit your boating needs.

Lori Maxwell 

As a second-generation Floridian, Lori's passion for all things saltwater began over 35 years ago with a degree in Marine Research from the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atomspheric Science in Miami. While in Miami, she also worked as a docent at the Miami Seaquarium, spearheaded a coastal mangrove rejuvenation project from propagation to planting, and also collected recreational saltwater fishing data for NOAA.

On the Treasure Coast, she has enjoyed careers with some of the finest marinas and custom boat builders in the area, and joins the Whiticar team as the Service Administrator at our Whiticar Marine North location.

Lori is a strong supporter of the Ric O'Barry Dolphin Project, the National Elephant Center in Melbourne and the Save The Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, listening to music and inshore fishing with her husband and their dog. 

Chuck Mack

Chuck Mack was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia. After attending the University of South Carolina, he began his work in the marine industry in 1990.

Working in yacht sales before joining Whiticar, Chuck now serves as the Manager of Whiticar Yacht Sales and has worked for Whiticar for seven years.

Calvin Powell

Born in Nyack, New York, Calvin Powell is no stranger to the boating industry. After graduating from Lincoln Technical Institute with a degree as a Master Mechanic, Calvin served in the US Army for two years in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star.

Returning home from service, Calvin joined his family-owned and operated boat yard, Powell Boat Yard, and managed and operated the business for 16 years. After relocating to Stuart, FL, Calvin continued his work in the marine industry, managing various local marinas before joining Whiticar Boat Works in 1998. Calvin’s experience of the marine industry coupled with his passion for boating has made him a superior Yard Supervisor at Whiticar Boat Yard. In addition to his responsibilities in the Boat Yard, Calvin is a licensed yacht broker and works with the clientele of Whiticar Yacht Sales.

Captain Eric Bingham joined the Yacht Sales division of Whiticar Boat Works in 2012 with 40 years of experience as a USCG Captain.

Active in the past in tournament fishing, Captain Eric has traveled and fished in such locations as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, Venezeula, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Cuba.

In his spare time, Captain Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, and volunteering at the Hobe Sound Animal Resuce.