Chad

Project Manager

Coming to Van Dam in 1994 as a 14-year-old high school student, Chad is a tale of dedication and determination. Throughout high school and some college Chad worked summers and after school at the shop, and then finally made the decision that he was ready for a career in boat building. In 2003, Chad became the first person to complete the formal apprenticeship program at Van Dam. He has worked in every facet of the building and maintenance processes. Chad is a highly skilled woodworker, but he is also very comfortable with the electrical, mechanical, and electronics installations that are a vital part of the custom boats at Van Dam.  In early 2011 Chad became the Shop manager and is responsible for keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently on the shop floor. In addition to this he is also a project manager overseeing the construction of an individual boat.

The constant shift through the various stages of building and accomplishing new things every day are a few of the reasons Chad chose this line of work.

Chad is an outdoorsman, an avid hunter, and enjoys everything from sailing to skiing to fishing. Chad and his wife Amanda have two sons, Porter and Weston, which they love to take boating on the Inland Waterways in the summer. He also enjoys home construction projects and always has one at going at home.

• Started at Van Dam: 1994
• Born in: Charlevoix, Michigan
• Attended: Boyne City High School
• Favorite projects to work on: Multiple projects at once
• ABYC certified in Marine Systems
• ABYC certified in Marine Electrical
• ABYC certified in Marine Corrosion