Company News

Doug Howell has been a Sales Associate in Sterling’s Ft. Lauderdale office for a little over three years now.  A native of Stuart, FL, he attended the University of Colorado, majoring in economics, before returning to his home state and landing the job at Sterling Associates. “The most interesting thing about this job is that […]

Kieran Conaty joined the Sterling team in the Annapolis, MD office as a sales associate in June of this year. Kieran brings a wealth of experience in the boating industry through his work with PassageMaker Magazine and then BoatTest selling video content programs to boat builders and product manufacturers “Over the years, I was able […]

Kathryn Bakinowski joined our Ft. Lauderdale office as a sales associate in August. She graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a degree in Business and a specialization in Professional Selling. She worked her way through UF in just three years, one and a half of which she also spent as a Teaching […]

When buying a boat, financing is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. While banks or credit unions are options, there’s a much smarter choice: working with a lender who specializes in boat loans. Sterling Associates, experts in marine financing, offer many advantages that can save you time and money. Here are 7 Reasons to […]

Sterling Associates opened its Lowcountry office in Charleston, South Carolina about 18 months ago. The Carolina and Georgia coasts, with numerous bays, inlets and fascinating marshlands as well as the open Atlantic, are a boater’s paradise. And of course, the inland lakes and ponds are home to some of the best bass fishing in America. […]

Join Sterling Associates’ Marine Finance Representative Cindy Lewis as she helps you navigate financing your dream boat on the Great Loop Radio Podcast! Marine Lending Basics – Key Moments in the Video About Cindy Lewis: Cindy Lewis has been in the marine industry for over 45 years. Early in her career she worked for a […]

Matt Bedigian and his fishing partner have won a place to represent Massachusetts in the Bassmaster Team Championship at Lake Hartwell.

Rising interest rates in the current economic uncertainties are a concern for everyone. And since Sterling Associates is in the business of finding solutions for our clients’ borrowing needs, it’s a primary concern of ours. Sterling Associates President Shawn Rogan has been watching rising interest rates at the Federal Reserve, but has not yet seen […]

It is not a requirement that the person helping arrange the financing on your new power boat be an experienced captain or someone who spends a lot of time on a boat. But it doesn’t hurt, either.  Having a good working knowledge of boats and the boating life makes it easier for our associates to […]

Shawn Rogan Moves Up to President; Founder Tom Smith to Become Senior Advisor

We are pleased to recommend Sterling Associates in this Editor’s Choice as a company dedicated to the boating lifestyle and fully aware of the nuances of financing and the associated requirements of completing your purchasing arrangements. Coming to terms with the decision to buy the boat of your dreams comprises many emotions. Whether it’s your […]

The Sterling Associates’ yacht financing team covering the Southeast and Gulf Coast region of the U.S. brings multiple years of experience in yacht, aircraft and RV financing as well as the highest degree of professional and personal customer service to each client’s request. Their knowledge of the inner workings of underwriting criteria and cash flows […]

You’ve finally decided to buy the boat of your dreams. Now, how to pay for it? If you’re financing your purchase, you want the best rate and a quick approval to get out on the water as soon as possible. Is your local bank or credit union the best way to go? The best option […]

Lee Casey has joined Sterling Associates in Charleston, SC. Her role will expand Sterling’s reach in the Southeastern states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Since 2002, Lee has followed her passion for boating and has worked in the marine industry, first in marketing for the Waterway Guide, then as a finance specialist […]

Sean Rogers doesn’t really have to leave his office to visit clients in person to close loans. But in his mind, he needs to. “If you personalize the relationship by meeting the client face-to-face, it creates a bond,” Rogers says. Sterling Associates’ mission to exceed their customer’s expectations by providing professional, personalized service on a […]

With more than three decades of experience, Max Salvater has been involved with every aspect of the marine industry. Currently a marine loan specialist with Sterling Associates, he has previously worked as a sales manager, a general manager and a finance manager. That broad range of experience allows Salvater to connect with clients on virtually […]

Jim Stiverson has plenty of experience in the financing industry. For the past six years, he has served Sterling Associates as Assistant Vice President and the Midwest and Central United States sales manager. But Stiverson is unique in that not only can he talk numbers with customers, he is also a true expert on boats. […]

If you’re looking for a boat loan in California, whether it’s Orange County, the Newport Beach area or even north of San Francisco, Joni Geis is the person to see. For nearly 20 years, including the past 12 at Sterling Associates, Geis has been securing financing for boaters on the West Coast. “There wasn’t a […]

It’s not surprising that Jeffrey Kosinski feels like his life is changing on a daily basis. In October, Jeffrey began working at Sterling Associates as an assistant sales and credit manager. Next spring, he will graduate from the New England College of Business. And in June, he will get married. “No question, a lot is […]

Shawn Rogan is proud of his Irish heritage. The names of his four children, Liam, Aidan, Tighe and Maeve, is evidence of that. And like any self-respecting Irishman, Shawn likes talking with people, learning what makes them tick and developing relationships. As vice president in charge of sales closings at Sterling Associates, the 50-year-old Rogan […]

When he’s not working with clients for Sterling Associates, Scott Visbeek can usually be found at a football field, on a baseball diamond or in a gymnasium. “I coach youth football, baseball and basketball,” says Visbeek, 47, and a father of three boys. “It’s something I do probably 365 days a year. I’m at some […]

Dealing with customers directly, looking into their eyes, shaking their hands and getting to know them, is something of an outdated concept in a world of electronic devices where family members now often text each other from the next room. Sterling Associates believes in an old-school approach. Although it is one of the largest marine […]