All of our BMG associates are passionate boaters. We’ve combined our love for the water with a keen understanding of the recruiting industry. The result is helping our marine industry clients identify, qualify and attract top talent. We are a firm built on a culture of continuous improvement. Our team cares deeply about our oceans and waterways and we are dedicated to helping protect our natural resources.
Neal Harrell
President
Neal founded Brooks Marine Group in 2002 in Fort Lauderdale, FL after recognizing the need to place talent across the recreational marine industry. The business expanded quickly, and he opened a second office in Newport, RI in 2004.
Neal, his wife Sara and their two young children relocated to Newport in June 2010 and Brooks Marine Group moved its corporate headquarters to today’s location on the campus of the IYRS School of Technology & Trades.
Bobby Whitehouse
Recruiter
Bobby is a Hampton Roads native and lifelong sailor whose passion for teamwork and performance was shaped on the waters of the Southern Chesapeake Bay, where he grew up keelboat racing. Following his service in the U.S. Navy submarine force, Bobby transitioned into military-to-industry recruiting, finding his professional calling with Bradley-Morris and RecruitMilitary.
With a firm belief that “building a top-performing team starts with the right people in the right roles,” Bobby specializes in connecting talented professionals with rewarding career opportunities. He takes pride in helping organizations strengthen their teams while guiding candidates toward meaningful long-term success. Nothing is more rewarding to Bobby than seeing the people he places thrive and contribute to growing, high-performing organizations.
McKenzie Hutaff
Recruiter
McKenzie is a native of Eastern North Carolina and comes from a long line of family members who spent time on the Carolina coast. In pursuit of her love for the water, McKenzie made her way to the College of Charleston in 1999 where she received her degree in Communications. She has called South Carolina home ever since.
McKenzie’s career in the marine industry started in college while working on the docks at the Isle of Palms Marina. It was there she found her passion for advocating for boaters while growing the marina’s bottom line. She became Dockmaster at Isle of Palms Marina in 2001. A few years later, McKenzie joined the management team at Charleston City Marina where she served 15 years. Along the way, she completed the Certified Marina Management (CMM) course in 2009 and was a board member of the South Carolina Marine Association.
After leaving Charleston City Marina in 2019, McKenzie joined MJM Yachts as a member of the sales and marketing team. In that position, she served as a liaison between the MJM factory, yacht buyers, and MJM dealers.
McKenzie joined Brooks Marine Group in the fall of 2023 to help the company expand its presence throughout the southeast. Based in Charleston, her deep understanding of the recreational marine industry serves as an asset to BMG clients as they look to hire top talent.