Keynote Speaking

Meet Guest Speaker Randy Ramsey

Randy Ramsey

Vice Chair, University of North Carolina System Board of Governors

Randy Ramsey is the founder and president of Jarrett Bay Boatworks, a Beaufort, North Carolina-based company that specializes in the construction of custom sport fishing boats, the repair & sales of all types of marine craft, and the distribution of a wide range of goods & services for the recreational & commercial boating communities at large. Since its inception in 1986, the company has built more than 95 unique sport fishing boats up to 90′ in length and services over 1,000 boats annually at the 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Industrial Park. Recipients of many construction and service accolades, Jarrett Bay was most notably named the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association’s (ABBRA) Outstanding National Boat Yard in 2011, and the North Carolina Manufacturers Association (NCMA) Manufacturer of the Year for 2015.

“Put forth the effort, and there’s no way you won’t be successful.”
– Randy Ramsey

Randy is also a partner and board member of Bluewater Yacht Sales. This company is the third largest boats sales organization in the United States with 10 locations from Baltimore, Maryland to South Florida, and a dealer for pre-owned & new models from prestigious brands such as: Viking Yachts, Princess Yachts, Back Cove, Sabre, Regulator, Albemarle and Jupiter.
Prior to these endeavors, Randy worked as a marine surveyor for various underwriters, providing condition and valuation reports for all types of watercraft; And at Harris Boat Works of Marshallberg, North Carolina – a builder of sport fishing boats designed for the NC charter fishing industry, he formed the building blocks for what would become Jarrett Bay.

Ramsey’s story is quite extraordinary and is a testament to his success as a business owner and a person who is committed to living his dreams. While he did not attend a four‐year college, his work within North Carolina’s higher education system has certainly earned him the right to consider himself an alumnus. He credits his ascension to serving on the venerated North Carolina University System’s Board of Governors to his long‐held belief in higher education. Hooked on athletics most of his life, he keenly found a way to bring the two things he loved together. When Randy was first appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees at North Carolina State University, the experience helped him learn more about the System and allowed him to share his business, entrepreneurial, and manufacturing skills with the University.

Randy was appointed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2017 to serve on the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System until his term ends in 2021. He serves as the vice chair of the Board of Governors, and serves on two committees: the Committee on University Governance and the Committee on Healthcare. As a Board member, Randy is focused on working towards outcomes that reduce student debt, grow four‐year graduation rates, and provide higher education access to all citizens of the state. He is also very passionate about helping young people find resources to make their pathways to an education easier.
Randy’s service to other organizations has expanded over the years. He has served on a variety of boards, including, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, the West Town/Sound Bank, the NC State Student Aid Association, the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association, the Hatteras Marlin Club, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, the NC Chamber of Commerce, and the Centennial Authority, among others.

He also holds memberships in several organizations, including the NC State Alumni Association, NC State Student Aid Association, The State Club, the NC State R. Stanhope Pullen Society, Giving Society, and the NC State University Board of Trustees (emeritus). He is the recipient of an NC Governor’s Cup Billfish Conservation Series award, and the NC State University Walter Hines Page Award in 2017.

The Kinston, North Carolina native is a graduate of Carteret Community College with a degree in marine propulsion. He holds a USCG Master license, a DOT private helicopter pilot certification, and a Florida yacht broker’s license. His broad range of life & work experiences and entrepreneurial spirit merged with his dynamic personality make him one of the most highly respected, recognized and sought-after personalities across many circles.
Randy Ramsey takes great pride in helping students to plot their career paths, as well as rousing a ballroom of professionals to reach their goals passionately. If you are looking for a keynote speaker who inspires, empowers & will yield positive results from your audience for years to come, Randy would be happy to consider your engagement.

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