Her Story
About Debora
Debora Radtke owns American Yacht Agents, based in Palm City, Florida, which she established about 11 and a half years ago. The firm delivers essential shore support to foreign-flagged vessels visiting the United States, managing vessel entries and clearances, immigration matters, purchasing, and comprehensive concierge services as an extra set of shoreside hands for crews. With three decades in the maritime sector, Radtke began her career working on yachts in 1995 after obtaining her captain's license and teaching sailing on Lake Superior. She spent 16 years onboard, starting as a cook stewardess before advancing to first officer and captain, ultimately earning a 1,600 to 3,000 ton Master's ticket. She is a high school graduate who attended a small liberal arts college for two semesters and maintains active memberships in the Marine Industry Association of South Florida and the Association of Yacht Support Services. Radtke attributes her company's success to her firsthand vessel experience, which allows her to understand operational pressures, combined with a commitment to honest, fair, and high-quality service.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Debora
01What do you attribute your success to?
The experience that I bring to it from having been on board for 16 years is a huge element of our success because I can understand it and having worked as the captain I understand it from the vessel's side. I speak their language because I did it. We have a reputation for being honest and fair and wanting to provide 4-star or 5-star service.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Trust your gut. And don't allow anyone to diminish you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Work on your people skills and learn how to type. Secretarial and administrative skills are undervalued but that's the place that you can learn the most. Those skills are very underrated and they're very important because they're people skills.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Dealing with captains and people who directly report to high net worth individuals who want everything immediately so all of that rolls downhill. Maritime is a male-dominated industry although a good portion of the yacht agents I know throughout the world are women.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty. A strong work ethic. Kindness almost above honesty. Kindness gets undervalued because people see kindness as weakness. It takes a lot of strength to be kind to people that have not necessarily treated you right. It shows your character and the strength of character.
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