18 FOGHORN FOGHORN FOCUS Ben Bernstein has been with BB Riverboats in New- port, Ky., since 1993, beginning his career at age 12, assisting in the HR Department. After obtaining his initial 100-ton masters license at 19, he served as captain while studying business management at the University of Kentucky. Following graduation in 2004, Ben transitioned to director of sales and marketing before assuming his current role as chief financial officer in 2013. Ben holds a 1600-ton in- land masters license and a 200-ton master of towing license. Ben has been a member of the PVA Board of Directors since 2020 and is a past chairperson of the PVA Safety and Security Committee. BEN BERNSTEIN CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, BB RIVERBOATS About the Author While I am unsure if 2026 PVA President Andrew Sargis’ private security allowed anyone to get close to him, PVA is in good hands as we approach the new season. And all joking aside, Andrew is about as easily contacted as any leadership member has ever been. He believes deeply in all that PVA stands for and always has time to hear from any- one in our membership. So, with that, the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends came to a close. From the entire Bernstein family, we truly appreciate having you in our hometown. We hope your time here was one of the best conventions you have at- tended. We hope our city’s restaurants and amenities were everything you hoped for, and we hope to see everyone in Tampa in 2027. I also very much appreciate everyone in the association who believed enough in me to be elected to leadership as I will be your incoming secretary/treasurer for 2026. Along with our new president, Andrew Sargis, and new vice president, John Lake, we all hope to continue positioning the Passenger Vessel Association in its rightful place atop the maritime landscape of the country.
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