Back to News

By: MIASF Staff

Date posted: Mar 02, 2022 Wed

Katie Hagan – Chief Operating Officer, FHG Marine Engineering, Inc.
 
Tell us where you are from, what brought you to Florida, and how long you’ve lived here.
 
Although my focus is now all about the ocean, I’m initially from the desert of Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2018, I left my former career doing international humanitarian diplomacy work in New York City to move to Fort Lauderdale to co-found FHG Marine Engineering with my business partner and now husband, Richard Grennen. We moved here in the summer of 2018, so we’ve been here now just under four years.
 
Where do you work, what is your job title, and what does your job entail?
 
I’m the Chief Operating Officer and Owner of FHG Marine Engineering Inc. FHG Marine Engineering provides concierge yacht maintenance service and ship repair. We service the luxury yachting industry, as well as the commercial shipping industry. As the COO, I manage our daily operations in our team of 11 engineers and technicians. That includes everything from interacting with clients and vendors, new business development, HR, finance, social responsibility, parts ordering, invoicing, reporting, you name it.
 
How did you initially become interested in the marine industry?
 
When I was 19, I lived and worked as anas an assistant librarian onboard Semester at Sea’s ship the M/V Explorer. In five 5 months, we completed a global circumnavigation voyage visiting 10-12 ports throughout Asia, Africa, and South America.  Ironically our final disembarkation point was right here in Fort Lauderdale at Port Everglades. Before moving to Fort Lauderdale to start FHG, that was the only time I’d ever been here.
 
What is your favorite or most valuable benefit of membership in MIASF?
 
MIASF is a wonderful organization for so many reasons. When we moved to Florida, we really didn’t know anyone. MIASF was our first networking event we ever attendedattended, and we immediately felt so welcomed and included. Starting a business is seriously hard work and maintaining one is even harder. MIASF gave us that grounded sense of community, support, and camaraderie that’s so crucial. My favorite memories are probably participating each year in MIASF’s Annual Broward County Waterway Clean-up.
 
Describe any other community organizations or events with which you are involved?
 
I’m also on the Board of Young Professional in Yachting (YPY) USA as the Volunteer Chair, as well as a member of US Superyacht Association (USSA), WISTA, an official partner and Executive Club partner of Eco-Mer’s Yachts du Coeur in France, and Ambassador for She of the Sea. 
 
Tell us about your hobbies and the kinds of things you do for fun.
 
When I’m not working, I also try to keep up my language skills studying Mandarin Chinese. I’m also a huge reader and love yoga, cooking, and doing anything on the water.