(Annapolis, MD) On January 27, 2022, during the International Yacht Brokers Association’s (IYBA) 2022 Annual Dinner in Sunrise, Florida, the Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) program presented the 2021 Vincent J. Petrella Chairman’s Award to Gary Smith, CPYB, owner of Sarasota Yacht and Ship in Sarasota, Florida.

First presented in 2019, the award was recently renamed the Vincent J. Petrella Chairman’s Award to honor the founding member and the first chairman of the Certification Advisory Council. Awardees represent individuals actively engaged in boating and sailing activities on a local, regional, and/or national level; exemplify professionalism, ethical behavior, and business practices that are the trademark of the CPYB certification; actively promote the CPYB program as a way for industry professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and professionalism; and serve the community to help those in need.

“Gary Smith is a certified professional yacht broker who exemplifies a true leader in our profession and a dedicated volunteer to the needs of the community,” said Vincent Petrella, who presented the award to Smith. “He is a past member of the Certification Advisory Council, a current member of the Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA), and a long-term board member and past president of IYBA. He is a humanitarian whose efforts include flying personal aircraft for relief missions to the Bahamas and the Caribbean and enlisting the help of the aviation community to fly their planes for relief efforts. He is also supporter of the K1 Britannia Foundation, a thoughtful leader who instigated the enhanced working relationship between sister organizations YBAA and IYBA, and a leader, mentor, and great friend to the yacht brokerage industry.”

Visit www.cpyb.net for more information about the award and to view a recording of the awards ceremony.