About Us

Advisory Board

Donald Douglas

Donnie has been active in marine businesses and environmental issues for most of his adult life. His companies include Boat Nation and A1A Yacht Brokerage. Donnie has over 35 years experience in marine businesses having earned his 100 ton Masters Captain license in 1986. He was the developer and project engineer of the world famous line of “wave piercer” boats in the 1980’s. Developer and owner of Rivers Edge Marina in St Augustine, Founder of IMA International Marine Association.

Frank Williams

Williams is the President and CEO of the International Marine Association. IMA’s mission is the conservation and preservation of our marine resources for individuals and businesses who enjoy and depend on our waterways worldwide. He is the Managing Partner in HidaAHole.com. Williams is Vice President, Florida Acquisitions for National Community Renaissance (CORE), a National 501 (C)(3) nonprofit with $1 Billion in assets Williams is the former Chairman of the Board and Interim CEO/President of Community State Bank headquartered in Starke, Florida.

Williams was named Chairman of the Board and President Emeritus by the Banks Board through a Resolution in 2022.

He is a former Board Member of Bonded Builders Risk Management Group and WNC, INC, a multifamily housing national syndicator and new market tax credit authority.

Williams is the former chief Executive Officer of the Building Industry Association of Southern California Baldy View Chapter, retiring after a tenure of 20 years. The Baldy View Chapter upon Williams retirement was the most awarded Association within the National Association of Home Builders. In 1998 Williams was named Executive Officer of the Year for the National Association of Home Builders.

Williams was the founder and Chairman of the Board and President of Housing Action Resource Trust (HART). From 1999 until the Congress, IRS, and HUD discontinued all private down payment assistance programs in 2004. HART gifted $400 Million and assisted 50,000 families and individuals buy homes (no government funds used in this program).

Williams is also the former CEO of HomeAid San Bernardino County, a501(c)(3) nonprofit. HomeAid is helping to alleviate the homeless problem in San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County by building or renovating homeless shelters.

Williams served five (5) years as Chairman of the Board for the Housing Authority of San Bernardino County (appointed to two four (4) year terms) Williams is a former six (6) term member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing Bradford, Clay, and St. Johns Counties from 1972-1984. He is a former member of the California Board of Architectural Examiners.

A former member of the California Regional Water Quality Control District Santa Ana Region, a former member of the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Advisory Council, former member San Bernardino County Work force Investment Board

A Board Member of the American Building Products Export Alliance, and is a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Special Services Bureau member.

Williams is a founder of the American Civil Defense Association. He  serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board at California State University College of Business and Public Administration.

He is Past  Commander of American  Legion Post 56. He was the the founding Executive Director of the Ontario (CA) Business Alliance. The purpose of the Alliance was to bring back local control and ownership of the Ontario International Airport to the City of Ontario from the Los Angeles International Airport.  The Alliance succeeded in bringing the business community in Southern California region to support efforts to return the  Ontario Airport to local control and to work to increase patronage at Ontario Airport to meet the long term demand for  air trance and cargo delivery in the Region.

He is a 54 year member of Lawtey Lodge 189 Free and Accepted Masons (now Starke Lodge #35), a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner for over 50 years.

Williams is a Special Deputy Sheriff with the Bradford County Sheriff’s Department. Williams is the recipient of the Fair Housing Award from the

Fair Housing Council of San Bernardino County and received the Congressional Community Leadership Award in 2005. A three time Paul Harris Fellow  Rotarian. He was the recipient of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Summit Award for the creation of a private down payment assistance in 2001.

Michael Shanley

Michael Shanley served as Chairman of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Clean Boating Partnership and Committee Chairman of the Manasota Chapter of the Southwest Florida Marine Industry Association. Shanley also served on the Government Relations Committee for the Marine Industry’s Association of south Florida (MIASF), Board of Directors of the Miami Billfish Tournament, board member of the Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust and served two years as National Marina Day Chairman.

Michael is affiliated with several professional memberships including the International Marine Association, Association of Marine Industries, Southwest Florida Marine Industries and Southwest Florida Marine Industry’s Association.

Michael holds the highest professional designation in the marine industry as a Certified Marina Manager (CMM). Through much of his career, Michael Shanley has managed 30+ million dollars in properties that included yacht clubs, ships stores, and full service marinas.

Michael resides in Ft. Myers Florida and spends his leisure time boating and surfing. He is acutely aware of the need to keep our oceans clean.

Mitchell Ghaneie, P.A.

Mitchell “Mitch” Ghaneie , as a native Floridian raised in Merritt Island, spent most of his free time on the river and waterways of the area where he developed a love for marine wildlife and the water. After graduating Florida State University College of Law, Mitch moved to St. Augustine where he specializes in Intellectual Property Law. Mitch advises and assists IMA with it’s goal of supporting eco-conscious businesses while advocating responsible eco-friendly use of the sea and waterways with eco-friendly products that will ensure the marine ecosystems will thrive.

John Luhrs

John comes from a family of boat builders, repairers and chandlers.  His business at one time included Luhrs sport fishing boats, Hunter Marine ,Silverton Yachts and Mainship trawlers. A clean ocean environment has always been important to him and his companies.

Dr. Arthur Rubens

Professor Emeritus:  Florida Gulf Coast University. Arthur lives in Naples Florida and has always been concerned with having a clean ocean environment.

Ashley Motes, CEO

Ashley Motes provides oversight and project management support for the International Marine Association. She is a Florida native with a Bachelors Degree in Science from The University of North Florida. Ashley is passionate about giving everyone the resources and support to meet their conservation goals. Ashley is also a licensed Yacht Broker with the State of Florida. Being a leader and creating community based programs are her focus of IMA.