Donald Long
Donald Long
Saint Cloud FL
Don held his first job in the marine industry at the age of 13 working as a yard hand, ship store clerk and general maintenance/rigging assistant at Wilcox Marine in Camden, Alabama. He has owned many vessels over the years never being without a boat since he was 14. Don’s professional experience, education and training include his time as a young marina employee, U.S. Marine 1971 to 1999, Bachelor of Science Business Management (with honors), parts/service manager for a major marine manufacturer test facility, service manager/ship store manager/salesperson at two major dealerships, licensed yacht broker, and Chamber of Commerce Chairman and CEO. Don began his adult marine industry career in 1999 after serving 27 years as a U.S. Marine from 1971 to 1999. After leaving the Marine Corps he went on to work at Lake X (test facility for Mercury Racing) where he managed the parts and service departments. With the closure of Lake X in 2004, Don began his brokerage career with Robert Christopher Yacht Sales (RCYS) where he worked until 2016 quickly rising to the position of Senior Vice President, COO Florida Operations, International Export Specialist, as well as Hi-Performance and Waterski Wakeboard Boat Specialist. During this time Don was the first company broker to carry more than one-hundred concurrent listings while also completing numerous global and continental sales. While at RCYS he also managed the ship stores and service departments of two major dealerships while also actively executing the sale and delivery of hundreds of new and used boats. Don developed strong local connections and influence resulting in his election as the 2012 Chairman/CEO of the St. Cloud Regional Chamber of Commerce. Later from 2018 to 2023 he worked as the full-time CEO of the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce serving one of the fastest growing communities in Florida. Don kept his marine industry acumen during those years by staying an active broker and consultant for the boating community. Retiring from the chamber industry Don presently serves as a Florida Employing Broker with Bond Yacht Sales of Port Canaveral, Florida. He also owns Top Yacht Brokerage as a contractor to Bond Yachts. He holds current certifications as a USCG Master Captain along with an instructor certificate with the American Safer Boating Council. Don and his wife, Madelyn, continue active involvement in their community, enjoy the daily challenges of professional yacht brokerage, and celebrate a boating lifestyle from their St. Cloud, Florida lakeside home.
