NASBLA Roundtable

  • 1.  Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 12-06-2018 03:47 PM
    Hello everyone!

    Welcome to the NASBLA Roundtable. To build community and share knowledge and information, we've set up this online community in NASBLA Connect.

    Some of you may already know one another, while others are brand-new faces to NASBLA. I'd like to start us off with taking a little time to introduce ourselves. Share your name, where you're from, how long you've been involved in the boating world, what your job is like, and your favorite place to vacation...or whatever else you want.

    I'll kick us off: I'm Ron, the Chief of Knowledge & Learning Management Systems, stationed here at NASBLA HQ in Lexington, KY. I've been with NASBLA since September 1993. I've done everything from staffing committees to planning conferences to writing grants. My favorite place to vacation is Maui, Hawaii. Here are pics of my two "kids" -- my Corgi, Maggie, and my rescue Beagle, Lexi.



    Join the conversation - introduce yourself today.  Just click Reply to Discussion and begin networking with your colleagues. I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you.  If you need help logging-in, check out this quick video.

    Best,

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    Ron Sarver
    Chief, Knowledge & Learning Management Systems
    National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
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  • 2.  RE: Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 12-07-2018 07:32 AM
    ​Hello all!  I am brand new to the mix.  As most of you know Ed Huntsman is retiring.  I am going to be taking his place.  I have had my eye on this job for nearly two decades and am thrilled to be a part of the team.  I intend to build upon the great relationships Ed has established in his time on the job.  Those relationships are vital to our success. 

    A little about myself.  I am retired active duty Coast Guard.  I spent 20 years running boats and doing search and rescue here on the north central Gulf Coast.  After retiring, I went to work as a SAR controller at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.  I did that for seven years then took a job as a commercial fishing vessel safety specialist covering the central Louisiana coast. I ran that program for six years, and the stars finally aligned so that I could step into my dream job. 

    I am married to Laurie.  We have kids and grand kids and are empty nesters, save for Shadow the black lab.  There's even a cat that lives in our house that I see from time to time.  I have a profound love for the water.  I have a fleet of kayaks and a pleasure boat and I try to spend as much time on the water as I can. 

    That's the snapshot.  I look forward to meeting and partnering with all of you.  I'll see you in Lexington in February!

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    Paul Barnard
    8th District RBS Specialist
    US Coast Guard
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 12-10-2018 04:32 PM
    Hello NASBLA Community,

    My name is Spencer Semple and I head up Marketing and Business Development for OUTDOORsmart!, BOATsmart! and the Campfire Collective. 

    I'm relatively new to the NASBLA community having just taken up my current role in July. I attended my first NASBLA Annual Conference in September, it was great to meet many of you and I look forward to meeting even more of you at IBWSS this March. 

    A little about me - for the last 7 years I've worked in both the higher education and K-12 private school worlds, specializing in admissions, marketing, communication and business development. I've held senior roles at two Universities and also the world's largest private K-12 school operator, GEMS Education. I'm super passionate about education! I hold an Undergraduate Degree in Law from Carleton University in Ottawa and a Master's Degree in Strategy and Leadership from Michigan State University (Go Green!)

    Boating has always been part of my life - I was fortunate enough to grow up on Chemong Lake (north-east of Toronto). My parent's idea of a family vacation was squeezing the five of us into our 23' Campion and cruising the locks of the Trent Severn down to Georgian Bay. I've fallen in the water more times than I'd care to admit, but luckily I was raised in a family that's big on boating safety.

    My two favourite hobbies are hunting and scuba diving. Since moving back to Canada I'm loving the wilderness, but really missing warm ocean waters and accessible scuba diving. To take Ron up on his suggestion - my favourite place to vacation is anywhere with a reef, and I hope to get to one soon!

    Thank you for reading my introduction, I look forward to working with all of you!

    Spencer Semple
    Senior Director
    OUTDOORsmart!





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    Spencer Semple
    OUTDOORsmart!
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 10-27-2023 12:39 PM

    Hello,

    I am Major Greg Watts a 24.5-year veteran of KDFWR law enforcement, prior to that I spent 5 years with the Perry Co. Sheriff office as a patrol deputy and school resource officer. I am married to my wife of 31 years Krystal have two adult children Tori and Ben, and two grandchildren Camryn and Chuck. I am a graduate of EKU and The University of the Cumberlands with degrees in police administration and justice administration. I enjoy the outdoors and building projects for my wife in my off time. I am the pastor of Neace Memorial Church in Breathitt County, Kentucky.

    One of my bucket lists is to hike the Appalachian trail someday. I know I will never to a thru hike but hope to do it in sections. 

    Greg Watts

    Major, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources

    BLA



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    Greg Watts
    Major
    KY Fish & Wildlife
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 10-30-2023 08:57 AM

    Hello,

        I'm Lt. Curt Lewis with the Illinois Conservation Police, the current NASBLA Executive Board Chair and BLA from Illinois.  I've been with the Illinois Conservation Police for 24 years and in law enforcement for 27 years now.  I've grown up around boats and enjoy recreational boating and towed watersports in my off time.  My wife Lindsey and I have two kids, Gracyn, my 14 year old softball player and Cooper my 13 year old football player.  They keep us running constantly.  My favorite place to vacation is Kabekona Lake in Northern Minnesota where I've been going for 30 years with my family and friends.  I look forward to serving all the members of NASBLA in the upcoming year and making big things happen for the recreational boating community.  Please feel free to reach out to me at any time, I'm here to serve the members!

     

    Lt. Curtis D. Lewis  #377

    Illinois Conservation Police

    Boating Law Administrator / CRBP

     

    One Natural Resources Way

    Springfield, IL 62702

    O – (217)-558-6616

    C – (217)-685-0168

     



    State of Illinois - CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-client privileged or attorney work product, may constitute inside information or internal deliberative staff communication, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. Unauthorized use, disclosure or copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments. Receipt by an unintended recipient does not waive attorney-client privilege, attorney work product privilege, or any other exemption from disclosure.




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 10-28-2023 08:49 AM
    Mr. Jesus Porrata, currently serving as the Lead Marine Investigator and Chief, Investigations Division at USCG Sector Miami since 2015 after serving 29 years with the US Coast Guard. In my current role, I am responsible for overseeing and carrying out all the statutorily mandated investigations of commercial vessel casualties and reports of violation that require a determination for apparent cause and culpability.
     
    I'm a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico who enlisted in the US Coast Guard in July of 1986.  A graduate of Cape May Basic Training Company GOLF-123, Machinery Technician (MK) "A" School 14-90, Chief Petty Officer Academy Class 171 and the Chief Warrant Officer Development Class 10-12.  
     
    During my military service, my assignments included Support Center New York (Governors Island), Pre-Commissioning CGC FORWARD, Naval Engineering Support Unit Portsmouth, International Maritime Law Enforcement Team, International Training Division, Maintenance Augmentation Team San Juan, Marine Safety Office San Juan, Sector San Juan, CGC SENECA, CG Recruiting Office Los Angeles, Resident Inspections Office Saint Croix, USVI and back to Sector San Juan until retirement.
     
    In my over 37 years in the military and federal civil service, specialized training and qualifications have prepared me to excel in Naval Engineering, Marine Safety and Maritime Law Enforcement operations. I have also been fortunate to be deployed to 17 nations throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Persian Gulf.  I hold the distinction of also being a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation Enduring Freedom and Global War on Terrorism as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). 

    Proud recipient of the 2023 DHS Secretary's Meritorious Silver Service Medal for my work in Combatting Illegal Passenger Vessel Operations (Illegal Charters). 


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    Jesus Porrata
    Lead Marine Investigation
    Sector Miami Investigations Division
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Welcome, Introduce Yourself

    Posted 01-04-2024 02:50 PM

    Hello NASBLA partners,

    I recently took over the role of Boating Education Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft.  I came from the field after serving 21 years on the law enforcement side enforcing Ohio's boating laws and teaching classroom and on the water boating courses for our staff and the public.  I'm an instructor trainer in several of the on the water disciplines and I look forward to see where we can take our boating education  program in the future.   I've been a recreational boater all my life both on inland lakes as well as Lake Erie.  In my off time, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, long motorcycle trips, hunting and fishing.  I look forward to meeting many of you and working with you all!



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    Andy Foos
    Ohio DNR- Parks and Watercraft
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    Original Message