"We do work for some of the world's largest boat manufacturers, let us do work for you."
 

Featured Profiles

Richard Strauss, Owner/President (23 years experience)

Contact: richard@islandcoastboatworks.com

Prior to starting ICBW in April of 1999, Strauss had been involved professionally with the marine industry since college. He graduated from Florida Tech with a degree in Marine Technology in 1983. Strauss was hired by Sea Ray Boats and worked in Product Development and Engineering as a technician at first and was quickly promoted to Manager of cruisers and performance boats. A few years later, he was hired by Regal Marine Industries as Design Engineer Manager and later promoted to Director of Engineering. With a desire to learn more about custom yacht manufacturing, Strauss took a position with Rex-Meyer Yachts. As Plant Manager, Strauss oversaw the manufacturing of custom yachts from 30’ to 130’. Strauss’ marine experience also includes positions with Boston Whaler as Lamination Manager and at Wahoo! Boats as General Manager.  Strauss has served in consulting capacity for numerous boat manufacturers on product development and manufacturing in addition to being directly involved in the development of over 60 new boat models. Additionally, Strauss has been considered an expert witness in marine litigation. USCG licensed captain.

Contact: dave@islandcoastboatworks.com

David Ort attended Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana and graduated in 1981 with a BS degree in Building Construction and Contracting. Ort began his work career at Bechtel Power Corporation where he served in many different capacities on two different nuclear power plants. With the decrease in of nuclear power plant construction, Ort returned to Purdue University to teach in the Building Construction Department and to begin work on his Master’s Degree. Ort graduated in May of 1987 with his Master of Science Degree in Management and accepted a position with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, as a Cost Analyst. Over the next 5 years Ort moved his way up to Manager of the Product Cost and Price Planning Division. In 1992, Ort accepted a position with Marvin Development Corporation as Vice President and Controller. After four years at Marvin he spent a year in setting up and running the family liquor store business. He then took a job as controller of Marine Concepts for a year and a half prior to starting ICBW.

Michael Batten, Plant Manager, (20 years exp.)

Mike began his 20 year marine industry career at Sport Craft Boats in his hometown of Perry, Florida. He oversaw the company’s production engineering department where his talent in bringing designs into the production environment became apparent. He was responsible for the NMMA certification of over 23 models, and almost single handedly prototyped Sport Crafts successful 30 Sportfish. Mike also supervised the Assembly Plant with over 150 employees, bringing department efficiencies to all time highs. Mike worked for three years at Aluminum Marine Products, where he started a small parts Fiberglass Division. Mike joined Island Coast Boat Works, Inc. in October 2005 and was promoted to Plant Manager in February 2006.

Email: Mike@islandcoastboatworks.com

Ron started fiberglass repair in 1957 at the family owned business . After a few years, Ron branched out and opened his own company which provided fiberglass repair on Corvettes, boats, motor homes and aircraft. Ron moved to Florida in 1990 and began plug building and fiberglass tooling, which he did for several years. His lengthy fiberglass background coupled with painting and color matching skills has given him the ability to provide invisible fiberglass repairs, in addition to enabling him to gain a vast amount of knowledge and hone a wide variety of skills.

Steve began his marine career at Outboard Marine Corporation where he worked for 11 years performing all aspects of outboard motor design, fabrication and testing. He then worked 12 years as a Paint and Metallurgical Research Technician preparing aluminum test panels and setting up test matrices. During this time, Steve learned a great deal of management and quality control skills. Steve worked 2 years for Bombardier Motor Corporation of America in the capacity of Manufacturing Engineer of the production spray paint, chromate pretreatment and electrode position paint lines. Steve joined the Island Coast Boat Works team in 2003.