Speakers

Michael Charlton started his life in Hampton, VA on the Chesapeake Bay. He grew up sailing and powerboating at a young age, so when he got started in marine canvas he naturally fell in love. When he was 16, he started in the family business, Charlton’s Mobility Center, located in Yorktown, VA where he learned from his father hard work, attention to detail and how to work with customers in need of custom fabrication for vehicle and home adaptive equipment. While working at the family business, he started his own business in the sign marking industry doing boat and vehicle lettering, yard signs, magnetic signs, banners, store fronts, etc. Mike has owned and operated his sign business for 11 years alongside his full-time job. In 2011, Mike decided to make a career change and start working for a local marine canvas shop learning the skills and techniques for fabricating all marine canvas. While at this job, he was a member of the MFA (Marine Fabricators Association) and played a big roll in winning several international awards in different categories of craftmanship and design. Mike’s passion for personal growth and improving in marine canvas has driven him to go into marine canvas on his own, opening Charlton’s Marine Canvas.

Jim Cowan, Co-Owner of Premier Performance Interiors, has been in the Marine Industry for over 40 years. He started a canvas shop for a marina in Indiana at 18 years old, and then went on to manage the upholstery and canvas shop for JC Pontoons. In 1995 he became the Sales Manager at Aqua Marine Products in Clearwater, FL. In 2001 he Partnered with Lee Wingard and PPI Interiors was formed. He is the Vice President/Owner of PPI where he oversees the Sales, Engineering & CNC divisions.

Jess Flegel has been working in the marine industry at Oyster Creek Canvas since 2015. Her previous experiences in custom picture framing, teaching workshops through the community college, community organizing and as the Gallery Director for a local arts and music non profit have given her opportunities to develop and implement new systems in a variety of environments. She continues to learn and fine tune new skills in an effort to improve the working environment for herself and her teammates.

Clint Halladay joined the marine textile industry by becoming a part of the SewLong team 12 years ago. He is grateful for the ongoing tutelage of Justin Jones and the opportunities provided through SewLong. Over the years, Halladay's role has expanded to encompass managing workflow, production standards, deadlines, and the ever-evolving culture of the organization. He has discovered a passion and a talent for personal and leadership development, and enjoys helping the people around him excel.

Vince Innocenzi is the owner of Chicago Marine Canvas which opened in 2014. Vince and his team at Chicago Marine Canvas specialize in boat canvas and upholstery along with commercial and government projects. Chicago Marine Canvas has won multiple Award of Excellence and Outstanding Achievement Award for a variety of upholstery and canvas projects.

Owner of Bayview Canvas since 2010. Family owned business that's been around for over 25 years. Father started the business and I have been working with him since I was a teenager. Bayview Canvas is located in West Creek NJ (Jersey Shore). We specialize in all things marine- enclosures, bimini's, dodgers, cushions. Also do some residential and commercial. Favorite type of work is sailboat related- dodgers/biminis. 3 man shop- myself, my wife Tonya who does all the sewing and scheduling, and a part time worker for smaller jobs and repairs. Broke into the digital work approx 5 years ago, just got into the Photomodeler within the last year.

Rob Kotowski is the second-generation owner of Lake Shore Boat Top Company, located in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. With a business degree from Walsh College and years of working in the family business as a child he decided to become a more active part in the future of Lake Shore. Now as an owner, he has followed in his father’s footsteps, learning how to balance family life with a growing business. In his free time he enjoys watching and playing ice hockey and spending time with his wife Jessica, 3 year old daughter, Ava and 5 month old daughter, Julianna.