The Dataw Island Owners Association is pleased to welcome our new Harbormaster, Chad Langford.
Chad brings great skill and experience to the Dataw Island Marina, including a five-year tenure as a hands-on General Manager of the Hilton Head Boathouse. “I like to know how to do every job in the yard. For one, I don’t like to ask anybody to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. And, if you know something that I haven’t learned yet, I want to learn.”
And, Chad lives this mantra. While at the Boathouse, he became five-star Yamaha certified to work on boat engines, “just so I knew how to do it.” He says that the team at Dataw Island has been very receptive and supportive. “Some places, coworkers try to ‘protect’ knowledge and hold it close to the chest. I really appreciate that the team at Dataw Island, from Whitney to the GM, and everyone else for that matter, shares knowledge and seems to want to work for the betterment of the whole operation.”
Dataw Island General Manager Ted Bartlett seems to share the sentiment. “Chad is doing fantastic. I am just thrilled to have him here!”
Bartlett also said that although the Dataw Marina continues its talks with a third-party management company, that Chad’s background and skills would be a great benefit to them as well.
Growing up in the Lowcountry (in Ridgeland, Beaufort, and Savannah) Chad has always loved the outdoors, especially fishing, golf, and boating. In fact, he spent several years in the earlier part of his career in the 1990s working in the golf industry, including as Assistant Golf Professional at Bray’s Island and running a golf store on Lady’s Island called Stic’s. From there, his career has meandered through video poker (back when it was legal!) to the boating industry, and working for a beer distributor.
It may sound like a wide set of experiences, but when speaking with Chad, it quickly becomes apparent that each position he has held has a common thread: working with, and helping, people.
And, connecting with people is important in any role in a club. “Chad is off to a great start and is already connecting with members,” Bartlett said.
Chad added, “I love the salt air and being out in the sun, but mostly I love working around people. And, most boaters are really passionate and form a ‘family’ around their passion. They’re good people. And their boats are their babies, and I get that. Being able to support them is a privilege.”
