Mac Keen named MIATC Executive Director
The Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC) announced the hiring of Rob Mac Keen as its new executive director. A seasoned veteran of the industry, Mac Keen’s extensive and experience outshined the strong slate of finalists, says Dan Romence, chair of the MIATC board of directors as well as president of the Indiantown Marine Center.
“Rob has more than 40 years’ worth of experience in the marine industry,” says Romence. “He got his start helping out at his father’s shipyard when he was quite young and he’s built an impressive career since then. His expansive knowledge of the local region and ability to understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities our members face made him the perfect professional for the position. We’re excited about the caliber of leadership he’ll bring to the association.”
Throughout his career, Mac Keen has acted as a surveyor, yacht and ship owner’s representative, project manager, general manager, vice president and director of operations for various shipyards, boatyards and ferry services. Through his maritime consultancy company MacKeen Group (www.mackeengroup.com), Rob additionally serves as a technical advisor and software consultant.
An MIATC member since 2019, he served on the board of directors representing Derecktor Ft. Pierce, a major yacht repair and refit facility in the Treasure Coast. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director, Rob vacated his role on the board and was replaced by Lauren DeLuca of SafeHarbor Harborage Yacht Club in Stuart.
“The MACKEEN GROUP is proud to take on this important agenda for the rapidly growing marine industry of this region,” says Mac Keen. “Taking the reins from Justin Beard, our outgoing director, could not have been easier since we have previously worked together and respect each other tremendously. I’m so invigorated about what this association is going to do as well as the huge potential of the region for the marine industry as a whole.”
Mac Keen plans to concentrate his efforts on key MIATC priorities such as:
- Crafting, upholding and advancing state, local and regional policies that protect vital industry initiatives such as, among others, safe navigation, working waterfronts, commercial fishing, boat repair and boatbuilding.
- Guiding workforce readiness programs to ensure the multibillion regional industry retains its vital role in the economy.
- Environmental advocacy and waterway cleanups.
- Building on the ongoing success of the Stuart Boat Show
- Strengthening membership services and expanding the overall strength of the Marine Association.
About the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast
Chartered in 1974, the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting, protecting, and growing local marine businesses. Often operating in affiliation with its state partner, Marine Industries Association of Florida, MIATC advocates for clean waterways, navigable passageways and ocean access, and policies that support marine businesses and the boating public.
MIATC owns the Stuart Boat Show, holiday boat parades and waterway clean-up events and promotes boating safety, career opportunities in the marine industry and keeps the public informed about the industry’s multibillion-dollar economic impacts across the Treasure Coast and around the state. The association website, www.miatc.org, is being rebuilt as an industry resource. The association voice mail number is (772)692-7599. Mac Keen can be reached directly at (954)520-4560 or exec@miatc.org.
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