Meet the New Executive Committee

Erin Ackor

President

I became involved in the ISS to connect with other industry professionals both locally and internationally while giving back to the industry I love.  I have been a member of the board of directors since February 2014. Since January 2016, I have also served on the executive committee as Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President. I am looking forward taking on the role of President in 2023!

How would you describe the goals of the organization, and how does the organization achieve these goals?

Our mission statement really sums up the goals of the organization including alliance building, recognizing achievement, education, networking and functioning as the collective voice of the industry on issues that are important to our membership. The ISS works hard to achieve these goals each year through its advocacy and committee work, including hosting educational seminars, promoting awareness on important issues, hosting the superyacht awards that recognizes excellence in not only yacht design and construction but also leadership at all levels of the industry, as well as hosting many other networking events.

Name something the average person doesn’t know about you. I have sailed through both the Suez and Panama canals!

What makes our mission meaningful to you?

My involvement with the ISS has helped me grow professionally though access to industry leaders and current information. I have been able to connect with people all over the world and to obtain advice from leaders at the top of their game!

What skills and resources do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

As a maritime lawyer, my job is to be an advocate for my clients. I identify issues and work to find the best possible outcome for my clients. I also use these skills in connection with my work for the ISS.

Vice President

ISS promotes excellence in yachting – each area of the superyacht industry strives to excel in their respective business to create the most exceptional onboard experience possible and it’s key to recognize the hard work done by our peers.

What skills and resources do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization? Multitasking and quick response has allowed me to engage with all of the committees, make decisions and execute successful marketing tactics with the ISS admin team.

How would you describe the goals of the organization, and how does the organization achieve these goals? ISS is a single voice for the superyacht industry – not only for industry participants, but for owners and crew.

What committees do you serve on? I serve on the gala and marketing committees.

Secretary

My involvement started about 20 years ago when I joined AkzoNobel and has continued to grow over the years. I first learned about the ISS, from people inside our company like Joe Purtell, who strongly advocated to support the ISS as a voice for the industry and for the people who work in it. My involvement with the ISS has grown parallel with my work with AkzoNobel. Specifically with the ISS my involvement has evolved over the last several years from a supporting member, to committee member, and now to the board. Gaining more exposure both at work and with the ISS has reinforced the need to be active in the community and to highlight the positive economic value and the jobs that rely on superyachts for their livelihood.

How would you describe the goals of the organization, and how does the organization achieve these goals?

As an organization of a wide range of businesses and professionals in the industry, it is important to continue to build alliances, provide guidance on trends and to be an advocate for the superyacht industry as a whole. We achieve these goals by effectively supporting, amplifying, and promoting the positive efforts of our members both inside and outside the ISS. There are significant innovations that are occurring in all aspects of the new builds and refits, we need to highlight these and continue to bring people together as we work to elevate the benefits of the superyacht industry.

What committees do you serve on? Will be the incoming chair of the Marketing Committee and will use this platform to highlight the benefits of the superyacht and promote our members efforts in the industry, along with promoting the benefits of the ISS brings to the wider industry. Will also be a member of the Membership Committee to also support the marketing and communication efforts.

As I have learned more and gotten more involved in the superyacht segment have become more passionate about it and it is important to showcase all the good work that is ongoing in the industry. This passion is renewed each year, especially around the awards ceremony where we highlight the work of people who put their hearts in what they do in raising bar on innovation, design, functionality, and performance. It is truly inspiring to be part of a group that has the passion and drive to make the industry better every day.

What skills and resources do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

As a marketing professional, I will bring passion and skills to highlighting the benefits of the yachting industry. Yachting is a luxury lifestyle and requires active engagement which is backed by the innovation, passion and commitment to designing, building, refitting, supporting and maintaining yachts to the highest standards.

I became involved in the early days of the ISS because I shared our founders view that our industry needs a voice, and that together we are stronger and more effective.  Connecting and collaborating with other industry professionals through a wide range of ISS events, and recognizing excellence among our peers at our prestigious design and leadership awards, has strong appeal.  It has been my privilege to be elected to the board of directors for the last 15 years, and to serve on the Executive Committee as Board Representative over the last 3 years. I look forward to serving our society as Treasurer in 2023.

Name something the average person doesn’t know about you. I enjoy motorcycles and classic cars, and when time allows, applying my engineering and manufacturing skills to restoring late 1960’s performance cars.

John Venables

Treasurer

Our goals are well-aligned with our mission to build alliances worldwide, and essentially to serve as the collective voice on issues affecting our industry, while recognizing achievement. There are many ways the ISS advances these goals including acting as the leading conduit among related societies and through regional and global committee work, educational programs, networking events, and our design and leadership awards.

What skills and resources do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

What makes our society so effective is its broad base of members from all aspects of our industry. Being technically trained, I feel I help bring a voice to all industry suppliers, as well as shipbuilders, designers and architects. I also feel several decades of executive-level business management and corporate directorships helps me to assist the ISS with organizational development and leadership.

What committees do you serve on?

I serve on the Technology Award Selection Committee and am inspired by the wide range of nominees, and I enjoy the thoughtful evaluation process. I also serve on the Sponsorship committee—as a non-profit organization, industry participation through sponsorship is our lifeblood. It’s what makes our events possible.

Rebecca Cahilly Taranto

Board Representative

How would you describe the goals of the organization, and how does the organization achieve these goals?

ISS’s mission to bring the various elements of the global superyacht industry together for collaboration is one of the most important aspects of the ISS goal. Achieving this goal on a continuous basis can be challenging, given the geographical range and variety of areas of focus within our industry, but I feel that the ISS is certainly committed to refining and maintaining this focus as we move into 2023.

What committees do you serve on? I have been involved in the Gala as the co-host for the 2019 Awards and am now involved in the Marketing Committee.

I feel it is important to have a singular organization within our diverse industry that has a global focus. It is the only organization in which anyone related to the world of superyachts can have a voice. Through this voice we can not only network and collaborate but most importantly, pioneer positive change.

What skills and resources do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?

I’m pretty good at writing, editing and keyboarding. I also have a marketing and creative background.