PHILIP PURCELL

PRESIDENT & CEO, MARINE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA, FORT LAUDERDALE

Marine Industries Association of South Florida promotes advocacy and professionalism on behalf of the marine industry, and Purcell is a tireless advocate of the industry. The non-profit association owns the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which Purcell says draws the “best and brightest entrepreneurs. They care deeply about preserving and protecting our natural ocean resources and are looking for opportunities to make meaningful investments. We want to tell those entrepreneurs, and the world, the story of the considerable marine research assets that exist here.” The association, created in 1961, has more than 500 members in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and traces 142,000 regionally to the marine industry.

Before joining the association in 2014, Purcell was a partner and held senior management positions with Westport Shipyard of Washington State, the largest yacht builder in North America. During his tenure, Westport grew from a small company to a leader in the industry. Purcell has traveled extensively, working in emerging markets and learning about collaborative processes to grow opportunities, research and new ideas.