While Donald J. Smith graduated with a degree in Urban Planning some forty years ago, more than 30 years of his professional career since then has been within the marine industry. This includes experience in a wide range of leadership and management roles from sales management to wholesale distribution to brand management and communications, to marina and boatyard management and boat manufacturing.
Smith, currently the president of Beneteau America, was previously their sales manager for outboard ranges. This followed from his time at Jupiter Marine International as director of sales and marketing; several years as vice president of sales at Regal Marine Industries, Inc.; a six-year stint at Hatteras CABO Yacht Center as director of sales, vice president of sales, and general manager—all on the heels of years of leadership at MarineMax, Inc., Galati Yachts, Perico Harbor Marina, Chris Craft Boats, and Imperial Yacht Center.