Drawing upon more than 15 years of professional experience in the field of marine transportation, Meredith K. Floyd has excelled as the chief mate of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots since 2023. In her prominent role, she maintains responsibility for managing departmental personnel consisting of upwards of 20 individuals and handling payroll, human resources, ordering, budgeting, and equipment management. In addition to these tasks, Ms. Floyd ensures that vessel operations are running smoothly and efficiently, as well as monitors safety protocols for departmental personnel. Alongside this endeavor, Ms. Floyd has excelled as the principal and owner of Marine View Logistics since 2022 and the co-founder of Oceans Unlimited since 2020.
Among her vast career achievements, Ms. Floyd is particularly proud of rising to the rank of chief mate in an industry that is largely male dominated, with only 2-4% of industry professionals being women. Earlier in her career, she was a second mate and a third mate with the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots between 2018 and 2020, a third mate with the American Steamship Company and an able-bodied seaman with the Alaska Marine Highway in 2017, and a second mate and a third mate with the Great Lakes Fleet from 2016 to 2017.
Furthermore, Ms. Floyd served as a deck cadet with Polar Tankers Inc. and Central Marine Logistics, having previously thrived as a premium service coordinator for Global Spectrum, a group sales intern for Comcast Arena, and a marketing and sales intern for Distributed Energy Management. While pursuing these positions, she worked as a first mate and deckhand for Auke Bay Charters between 2008 and 2015. Other vocational activities to her credit include working as a student assistant at the University of Washington Bothell, a page for the Everett Public Library, and a sales and customer service representative for Designer’s Furniture Warehouse, having started her career in 2005.
Notably, Ms. Floyd also pursued a formal education while tending to her career journey. In 2008, she earned an associate degree from Everett Community College, having thereafter received a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary arts and sciences from the University of Washington Bothell in 2010. In 2016, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, where she was also named Deck Cadet of the Year. Over the course of her educational path, Ms. Floyd was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was selected to be on the dean’s list. She also holds a 1,600-ton master’s license, an unlimited tonnage chief mates license, and is a licensed pilot of the Great Lakes and connecting waterways.
To remain abreast of developments in her areas of interest, Ms. Floyd has maintained an active affiliation with several organizations. In this regard, she is a member of the Women International Shipping and Trade Association, Women Offshore, Women on the Water, and the alumni associations of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy and the University of Washington.
Ms. Floyd credits her love for her work and dedication to moving forward despite any obstacle that may obstruct her path as the reasons for her success. Emphasizing that she is passionate about the maritime industry, she also holds great enthusiasm for recruiting more women into the field. Throughout her career, Ms. Floyd has been influenced by many friends, family members and colleagues, including her parents, who always helped her maintain a positive attitude, and Gerry Schroeder, her close friend and mentor. She is also grateful for the support and guidance of Capt. Darin Huggins and Capt. Steven Moneymaker of USNS Watkins.
In the coming years, Ms. Floyd aims to elevate to the position of captain of unlimited tonnage. She would also like to expand the scope of her business, becoming an industry staple and household brand name. In her leisure time, Ms. Floyd enjoys traveling, hiking, backpacking, swimming, and visiting historical presidential homes.
