MASTER BOAT BUILDERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the MANAGEMENT TEAM
- DIRECTOR of PRODUCTION CONTROL
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE VP - CORPORATE RESOURCES
David Rice has been with Master Boat Builders for nearly 40 years. Growing up in Coden, Alabama, joining the family business felt like the natural decision. He embraces the challenge of building something and gets to combine that challenge with his love of the water in his career. While he is focused mostly on purchasing for the company, he also lends a hand with operations management. As a member of the Board of Directors of Dauphin Island Water and Sewer Authority, David is active in his community and values time spent giving back.
David has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama. On his days off, you can find David at home on Dauphin Island or out on his boat. He and his wife have two sons and two granddaughters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MANAGEMENT TEAM
- President
Job Titles:
- Member of the MANAGEMENT TEAM
- DIRECTOR of PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Job Titles:
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Member of the MANAGEMENT TEAM
Michael Rice founded Master Boat Builders with his late father, James Rice, in 1979. The shipyard in Coden, Alabama was started on the same piece of property it sits on today after Hurricane Frederick tore down their seafood shop. Founded on a vision to build quality, long-lasting work boats, the company grew from a small start-up to a world-renowned business in the industry. Michael takes pride in having built a company from the ground up alongside his family and is gratified that his son, Garrett, has grown in the business and now shoulders most of the day-to-day responsibilities.
Michael holds a bachelor's degree in business from Mississippi College. He supports the Distinguished Young Women organization in Mobile and enjoys playing golf in his spare time. He and his wife are life-long residents of the Gulf Coast where they raised two sons.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MANAGEMENT TEAM
- VP - OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION
Mike has been with our team for over 20 years. He has known most of his business partners for the majority of his life and sees his workforce as family. His father has worked at Master Boat Builders since it was founded in 1979, and Mike came on part-time as a youth, learning multiple crafts and business operations. His tenure has instilled in him our value of providing customers with a quality product delivered on time and on budget. Mike has been an integral part of the evolution of the business as it has grown and adapted in an ever-evolving industry.
Mike attended the University of South Alabama and Bishop State Community College. Outside of the office, you will find him on the water fishing, spending time with his wife and two children or whipping up some tasty cuisine in the kitchen.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MANAGEMENT TEAM
- Professional Engineer
- VP of ENGINEERING
Ryan Roth combined his life-long interest in boats with his technical aptitude to build a career that led him to Master Boat Builders in 2020 as Director of Engineering. From the beginning of his career, he gained experience in a variety of roles in the marine industry including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Director of Business Development, Engineering Manager and Project Manager. These roles gave him the breadth of experience to become a strong leader who meets his responsibilities head on and solves problems with professionalism and integrity. Ryan values being a part of building something long-lasting that contributes to the marine industry.
Ryan has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2009 and holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received bachelor's degrees from Spring Hill College and Auburn University in Science and Mechanical Engineering, respectively. In his time off, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, working on projects around the house and flying a Cessna when he gets the chance.
Job Titles:
- VP of PROJECTS & ESTIMATING