Heather

Marine Designer

In 2010, Heather moved from New York to Northern Michigan, a place that she now calls home. She and her husband live in Interlochen with their dog, Murphy. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design, earning a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design with a specialization in Marine Design. She started designing boats professionally in 2010 and has been involved in the development of over 60 models ranging from small runabouts to large cruisers. She admires all types of boats, with respect for both traditional designs as well as modern styling.

Heather grew up near the water and has been around boats her entire life.

She and her husband enjoy hiking with their dog in every season. In the summertime, they kayak down rivers and paddleboard lakes throughout Northern Michigan.

Heather also started teaching yoga in 2013 as a way to give back to the community. The skills that she has learned along the way bolster her creative thinking and ability to listen. You can find her teaching weekly classes and practicing daily.

• Born in: Buffalo, New York
• Graduated: Savannah College of Art & Design
• Favorite Projects to work on: I love to listen! I think the best boats come from teamwork and co-creation. My favorite part of the design process is translating the client’s wishes into a visual representation.Favorite Fundamental: (It’s hard to pick just one!) Give a (Van) damn & Keep things fun
• Favorite thing about working at Van Dam: Working with a team that has a “Yes, we can do that” attitude!