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V O L . X X I I I N O. X I I I J U N E 1 2 , 2 0 1 7 30 A n afi cionado of wooden boats since he was a child and an economist by training, Andrew Breece came on as the publisher of WoodenBoat Publications on March 8, stepping into the shoes of the wooden boat world's most prominent standard-bearer, Jon Wilson. Wilson started WoodenBoat mag- azine in 1974 and quickly found suc- cess not only with the publication, but in the development of a synergy with wooden boat builders, customers and fans, bringing about a resurgence of a craft that was being marginalized by fi berglass construction. Today, WoodenBoat Publications includes one of Maine's most prominent magazines, WoodenBoat, as well as two niche publica- tions, Professional BoatBuilder and the digital-only Small Boats Monthly. It spun off the WoodenBoat School, which attracts over 800 students annually to the company's Brooklin campus; the WoodenBoat Show, held annually in Mystic, Conn.; the WoodenBoat Store; and various other publications. Breece,31, grew up in Orono around wooden boats and was intro- duced to the magazine at a young age. He bought his fi rst sailboat at age 10. At 12, he wrote the editors of WoodenBoat to ask if he could be a judge in one of the magazine's design contests. ey agreed, and after- ward mentioned him in an editorial. Breece went on to earn his bachelor's degree in economics from Bates College, then attended e Landing School in Arundel to study yacht design. He began his professional life at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, followed by the Maine Island Trail Association. Meanwhile, WoodenBoat Publications president Jim Miller never forgot Breece. In 2014, Miller was exploring new ways to expand readership and adver- tising revenues of both WoodenBoat, for consumers, and Professional BoatBuilder, for industry. He recon- nected with Breece and hired him in business development to expand reader demographics. at remains Breece's primary charge now, as publisher, as he seeks ways to con- nect both publications with younger generations. Andrew Breece, 31, who took over as publisher of WoodenBoat Publications in March, faces a challenge not uncommon in the media industry: fi nding younger readers.The company has 32 full-time employees and adds 15 to staff the WoodenBoat School in the summer. P H O T O / L A U R I E S C H R E I B E R Finding younger readers Andrew Breece, 31-year-old publisher of WoodenBoat, seeks millennial readers B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r F O C U S Progressive • Creative • Forward Thinking • Resourceful Progressive • Creative • Forward Thinking • Resourceful Progressive • Creative • Forward Thinking • Resourceful Come See Why Brewer Means Business. Your Business. BREWERMAINE.GOV/BIZ Contact D'arcy Main-Boyington Economic Development Director dmain-boyington@brewermaine.gov | 207-989-7500

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