As the yachting industry continues to grow, more and more women are making a significant impact on this traditionally male-dominated space. Here, YATCO takes the time to get to know some of these women – from all areas of the market – and highlight the important work that they contribute to the industry.
Rosamelia Garcia is a Sales Support Manager with Northrop & Johnson.
Table of contents
- What drew you to the yachting world?
- How did you get your start in yachting?
- Can you describe your job as a Sales Support Manager for Northrop & Johnson?
- Who are some influential people in your life, both personal and professional?
- What advice would you give to someone who is starting in the yachting industry?
- What is your favorite thing about working in the yacht market?
- What is the most rewarding or enjoyable element of your job?
What drew you to the yachting world?
After living in several countries and working for major multinationals in the consumer products sector in Milan and London, I decided to move to Antibes in the South of France. There, I discovered the yachting industry and chose to stay in this beautiful location. The yachting industry is fascinating – it’s diverse, challenging, and each day brings new excitement.
How did you get your start in yachting?
I was invited to work at Peter Insull with Jane Hardy and Susan James when they ran the furniture division for yachts. We were selling beautiful designer furniture to superyachts which was my introduction to the yachting world. I loved working with these two extremely intelligent, hardworking women who have a wealth of experience — and they were so much fun!
Next, I moved to the sales department of Camper and Nicholsons in Cannes, where I had the opportunity to work with Jean-Marie Recamier, Charles Ehrardt, Richard Higgins, and Gaston Lees-Bukley. It was truly wonderful and enriching to learn from these senior sales brokers, each of whom have many years of experience. I learned so much from each of them and enjoyed having to do with their different personalities and strong characters. I still maintain excellent relationships with them and deeply respect them. Every time we reconnect, there’s a genuine sense of mutual affection.
After a few years at C&N, Richard Higgins and I transitioned to Northrop & Johnson, where we’ve been for several years now.
Northrop & Johnson is a company that truly cares about its people – management understands that happy employees are more productive, and they do everything they can to support a healthy work-life balance. And guess what? It works! My colleagues are responsible, dedicated, and, most importantly, satisfied. It’s a fantastic company to be part of.
Can you describe your job as a Sales Support Manager for Northrop & Johnson?
As a Sales Support Manager, I coordinate various activities and support our Sales Brokers with all aspects of yacht sales:
- yacht selections
- liaising with our Commercial Director for approvals and contracts,
- coordinating with our KYC Department for transaction approvals,
- collaborating with Marketing to provide Brokers with the tools they need, and
- working with Accounting to finalize sales reports after a transaction is completed.
The job is varied and incredibly enjoyable. I love working with each of my Brokers because there is mutual respect, and I learn from them every day. The job is interesting, motivating, and fun, and I take great joy in seeing my Brokers succeed.
Who are some influential people in your life, both personal and professional?
Some influential people in my life are first and foremost, my parents and brother, my husband, and my family, who have always been there for me.
My parents have been a tremendous source of admiration and inspiration. They are always studying and working, and I have followed in their footsteps. They provided us with countless opportunities – whether it was education, travel, exposure to different cultures, or the chance to learn new languages.
Also, my best friend – a beautiful, intelligent, cultured, and fun person who has always supported me. She is like part of my family; we have known each other since we were born because our parents are friends.
Professionally, some of my colleagues are also a source of inspiration and I continue to learn from them every day. I particularly admire and appreciate our COO and VP, Daniel Ziriakus. He is exceptionally intelligent and an excellent manager with a long-term vision. He is always available to listen and support when we need it.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting in the yachting industry?
Work as hard as you can and as much as you can because the more you work, the more you learn.
The pace at which the yachting industry evolves is very fast and dynamic. The advantage is that it forces us to stay informed and updated, which in turn helps us improve continuously.
What is your favorite thing about working in the yacht market?
The yachting industry is captivating; it’s versatile, dynamic, and I love the variety it offers – from closing sales deals to understanding the technical aspects of shipbuilding and yacht management. I find it especially fascinating to visit shipyards and speak with naval architects and engineers.
What is the most rewarding or enjoyable element of your job?
I learn something new every day from each person I work with and from every situation. I learn just as much from challenges as I do from successes – everything is a learning experience. And I’m lucky to have some truly lovely colleagues.
