US superyacht services business MarineMax appoints general counsel

Recreational boat and yacht seller MarineMax has promoted Manny Alvare to general counsel, formalising his position as head of the company’s legal department.

Alvare was previously MarineMax’s vice president of legal affairs, which made him the company’s most senior in-house legal executive. Since joining MarineMax in 2018, he has overseen all legal matters related to acquisitions, brand expansion and domestic and international growth.

Clearwater, Florida-based MarineMax is the world’s largest recreational boat, yacht and superyacht services company. Its group of marine businesses also operate luxury marinas and manufacture premium sports yachts, among other activities.

Brett McGill, CEO and president of MarineMax, said: “This promotion recognises Manny’s professional accomplishments at MarineMax, particularly his pivotal role in overseeing legal affairs and guiding us as we execute on our growth strategy. We look forward to Manny’s continued success as a key leader in our organisation.”

Alvare originally joined MarineMax as corporate counsel, before being elevated to vice president of legal affairs in 2021. Prior to joining MarineMax, he was vice president for legal at Florida-based transport and logistics business Comcar Industries, assistant GC at The InfiLaw System, GC at Creative Recycling Systems and GC at NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started his career as a litigation counsel at defunct house building business Jim Walter Homes.

The company has been without a named legal head since the departure of long-time legal chief Paulee Day, who led the department for 15 years. MarineMax terminated her position “without good cause” in 2018 and she was handed about $1.2m in separation pay. She is currently chief administrative officer and corporate secretary at boating company West Marine.

In other luxury-related in-house appointments, luxury EV-maker and Tesla rival Lucid Group hired Matt Everitt as GC back in February from Mercedes-Benz USA. In December, diamond giant De Beers promoted Chris Johnson to GC, having been head of legal since 2020. In June last year, Prada Group named Francesca Secondari as chief legal officer and group GC, replacing Cristina de Dona. And in April last year, Cartier-owner Richemont appointed Thomas Loest as group GC from Kraft Heinz.