“If You Can Imagine It, You Can Achieve It.”
Steven Gilchrist is a seasoned executive leader, entrepreneur, and marine industry professional whose career reflects more than three decades of operational leadership, maritime expertise, and business innovation. Known for his commitment to transparency, resilience, and people-first leadership, Steven has built a reputation for transforming complex operational environments into high-performing organizations. His guiding mission—to be a man of his word in an industry often challenged by hidden costs—has shaped both his professional journey and the values behind the companies he leads.
Steven’s career began in the transportation and logistics sector, where he developed a strong operational foundation while managing air cargo and transportation services for Airborne Express. During his tenure, he supervised a workforce of up to 100 employees across multiple pickup and delivery stations while overseeing aircraft ramp operations. His leadership directly contributed to measurable operational improvements, including a 4% profit increase in a single quarter while maintaining strict compliance with FAA, DOT, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements. This early experience cultivated his disciplined approach to operational efficiency, safety, and performance management.
Building on this foundation, Steven expanded his leadership responsibilities in telecommunications and logistics, serving as General Manager for Davel Communications and later as National Distribution and Logistics Manager for Appliance Warehouse of America. In these roles, he oversaw large-scale operational infrastructures, including fleet management of more than 80 vehicles and capital expenditures exceeding $3 million per quarter. His ability to identify inefficiencies and implement strategic improvements resulted in measurable operational gains, including the creation of a nationwide damage-claim procedure that improved productivity and standardized processes across the organization.
Steven further strengthened his executive management experience during his time as Branch Manager for Mac Gray Services, where he managed a $15 million operation with full profit-and-loss accountability. Leading cross-functional teams spanning service, installation, warehouse operations, and administration, he demonstrated a talent for balancing operational excellence with financial oversight. His leadership emphasized collaboration between operations and sales teams to drive new business development while ensuring disciplined financial management and adherence to corporate standards.
In 2004, Steven transitioned into the marine transportation sector as General Manager and Part-Time Captain for Water Taxi Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, a role he held for more than a decade. Responsible for all operations, marketing, and sales initiatives, he managed a team of 50 employees while maintaining full P&L responsibility. Under his leadership, the organization enhanced service quality, strengthened customer experience, and developed strong relationships with the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and other local business organizations. He also oversaw the company’s IT infrastructure, demonstrating an unusual blend of operational, technical, and hospitality expertise.
Steven’s entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led him to found Yacht Sea Management Company, where he specialized in comprehensive yacht management, hospitality operations, and crew placement services for luxury vessels. Over nearly a decade, he guided vessel owners and marine businesses through complex projects ranging from commercial passenger vessel refits to full business startups within the maritime sector. His hands-on experience as a captain and operational consultant gave him a unique perspective on both the technical and experiential aspects of marine operations.
His expertise in yacht brokerage further expanded while working with HHilton Yacht and Ship, where he leveraged his decades of maritime experience to guide buyers and sellers through high-value yacht transactions. Known for his honesty and deep understanding of vessel performance and ownership realities, Steven built trusted relationships with clients seeking both investment insight and operational guidance. His ability to translate complex technical details into practical decision-making advice became a hallmark of his professional approach.
Steven later served as President of Coastal Offshore X-cellence, where he provided executive oversight for company operations and spearheaded initiatives that improved performance and operational efficiency. His leadership during this period reflected his capacity to balance innovation with disciplined management, ensuring that organizations remained adaptable in an evolving maritime marketplace.
Today, Steven serves as Chief Executive Officer of Straight Up Marine Group, the company he founded after more than 30 years in the marine industry. The organization was built around a core philosophy of transparency and customer-first service. Straight Up Marine specializes in advanced marine stabilization systems, yacht brokerage, and vessel refit projects, with Steven leading the company’s strategic direction, operational planning, and business development initiatives. Through partnerships with leading manufacturers and a commitment to precision engineering, the company helps vessel owners enhance comfort, safety, and reliability on the water.
Steven’s technical and professional credentials reflect his diverse capabilities. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Master License and is a certified FAA pilot with a high-performance complex fixed-wing aircraft rating. His expertise also includes specialized training and certifications in marine stabilization technologies, including Dometic Gyro Stabilization, Sleipner Fin Stabilizers, and NEMA certification. These qualifications underscore his unique ability to bridge the worlds of marine operations, aviation, and advanced technical systems.
Beyond his executive leadership, Steven remains deeply engaged with the broader maritime community. As a member of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, he contributes to industry collaboration and professional networking while continuing to share his expertise through training sessions, sales conferences, and operational strategy meetings. His experience conducting safety briefings, operational reviews, and leadership training across multiple national locations highlights his ability to communicate complex operational concepts with clarity and purpose.
Steven’s international exposure across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East—including business interactions in Japan, England, Italy, France, and Dubai—has broadened his understanding of global maritime markets and international business practices. Combined with his bilingual capability in English and Spanish, this global perspective enhances his ability to build partnerships and navigate cross-cultural business environments.
At the heart of Steven’s career is a deep passion for helping businesses grow and evolve. Whether launching new ventures, optimizing operational performance, or mentoring leadership teams, he approaches every challenge with a solutions-oriented mindset. His belief that imagination and determination can unlock extraordinary achievements continues to guide his work as an entrepreneur, executive leader, and advisor to organizations seeking sustainable growth.
Steven Gilchrist’s career represents a rare intersection of operational discipline, entrepreneurial innovation, and technical mastery across multiple industries. With experience spanning aviation logistics, telecommunications, transportation, and luxury marine operations, he brings a holistic perspective to leadership that blends strategic thinking with hands-on expertise. As he continues to expand Straight Up Marine and explore new opportunities in aviation and commercial investment, Steven remains committed to building a legacy defined by trust, precision, and long-term value creation.
Character:
Steven Gilchrist demonstrates unwavering integrity and transparency in every professional endeavor. His leadership philosophy centers on honoring commitments and building trust with clients, colleagues, and partners. By prioritizing people and ethical decision-making, he has built a reputation as a dependable and principled leader within the marine and transportation industries.
Knowledge:
His extensive expertise spans marine operations, aviation logistics, transportation management, and advanced vessel technology. His decades of hands-on leadership across multiple industries provide him with a rare combination of operational insight and technical proficiency. This deep knowledge allows him to quickly identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions that drive efficiency and growth.
Strategic:
Throughout his career, Steven has consistently demonstrated the ability to translate vision into practical execution. He has successfully managed multimillion-dollar operations, implemented operational improvements across national organizations, and launched new ventures within competitive industries. His strategic mindset allows him to anticipate industry trends while building scalable systems that support sustainable expansion.
Communication:
An effective communicator who excels at translating complex operational concepts into clear, actionable strategies. His experience conducting training programs, leading safety briefings, and presenting at sales conferences highlights his ability to connect with diverse audiences. Through transparent dialogue and collaborative leadership, he fosters strong teams and productive partnerships.
