
Derecktor Shipyards is proud to announce the hiring of Captain Glen Allen, who will be spearheading sales and international relations at its newest shipyard, Derecktor Ft. Pierce located in Fort Pierce, FL.
FORT PIERCE, FL – Derecktor Shipyards is excited to announce the hiring of Captain Glen Allen, who will be spearheading global sales for its newest shipyard, Derecktor Ft. Pierce, located in the eponymous Florida city.
“Glen’s broad experience as a yacht captain, sailor and leading voice in the international superyacht community make him the ideal person to attract the global fleet to Derecktor Ft. Pierce. The yard is the first American shipyard specifically designed and built for the 200-foot, 900-ton and up customer.” Paul Derecktor, President of Derecktor Shipyards, commented.
Glen’s maritime career began in Biloxi, Mississippi where he learned to sail at an early age. By the time he turned 9 years old, Glen was sailing his own boat. At the age of 12 he began his first marine industry job working at his grandfather’s wharf.
At 16, Glen competed in his first offshore sailing race from Florida to Mexico. Shortly thereafter his father moved the family to Arkansas where he added lake sailing to his repertoire, by learning how to read challenging winds on the local lakes.
In 1978, Glen joined the U.S. Coast Guard as a Quartermaster assigned to search and rescue patrols in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1980, he was transferred to Houston, Texas to a challenging new position as a Vessel Traffic Operator for the Houston Ship Channel.
After an honorable discharge, he taught sailing and obtained his first US Coast Guard captain’s license. In 1987, he began his career in yachting by taking command of a 65-foot motorsailer, where he fell in love with the lady who hired him. They were married in 1990 and still work together on special yachting projects.
As Glen’s yachting career continued to blossom, so did his experience in the charter yacht industry, with charters to the Florida Keys, Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Northeastern Coast of the U.S., the Azores and numerous destinations throughout the Mediterranean.
His reputation throughout the industry soon created opportunities to utilize his expertise in new vessel construction. During the mid-90s, he was commissioned as build manager for a 96-foot Sparkman & Stephens sailing yacht built at Derecktor Shipyards in New York. He went on to oversee construction of a 220-foot Lurssen motor yacht built in Germany, as well as a 147-foot Feadship built in Holland. Along the way he received his 1600-ton Master’s License.
For the last 13 years, Glen has directed operations for a fleet of yachts ranging in size from 32 feet to 154 feet long. During this time, he managed numerous yacht refits at shipyards throughout the world.
Glen is also the current president of the International Superyacht Society, the foremost association in the large yacht industry, as well as a board member of the International SeaKeepers Society and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida.
“I have had a long and successful relationship with Derecktor Shipyards as a captain and owners’ representative. I have always enjoyed the experience whether it was doing a new build at the Mamaroneck yard or the numerous haul-outs, paint jobs or complete refits at the Dania location, the end results have always been outstanding,” Glen says.
“When the opportunity came up to work with them I jumped at the chance. Derecktor Ft. Pierce will be a world class facility and run by the best personnel available anywhere. To be a part of this is exciting and we are all looking forward to the yard being fully operational.”
Founded in 1947, Derecktor Shipyards has since become a worldwide leader for excellence in the construction, repair and refit of yachts, commercial and military vessels. Today, four Derecktor facilities span the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. from Maine to South Florida, offering vessel owners and operators everything from marina space to megayacht construction. For more information about Derecktor Shipyards, visit www.derecktor.com, email jbeard@derecktor.com or call 772-595-9326.