Smiling woman with dark hair and red lipstick in a dimly lit indoor setting

Tina Cardone, Executive Director


Tina has worked in the Marine Assistance Industry since the late 1980s, building deep expertise alongside the U.S. Coast Guard as new regulations shaped the field. Her background gives her a unique perspective on how associations serve their members, balancing compliance, business growth, and community needs. This makes her a strong voice in advancing both C-PORT and the industry.


With a B.A. in Political Science and a passion for law and writing, Tina has published multiple articles and brings a thoughtful, analytical lens to her work. Beyond her professional contributions, she is an experienced cruiser who has traveled extensively throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the French Islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Man in a patterned blazer and blue shirt standing indoors, with a blurred staircase in the background

Harold "Smitty" Smith, Chairman
Miller's Towing & Salvage
Atlantic Highlands, NJ


Smitty lives in Middletown, NJ, with his wife of 35 years, Sissy. They enjoy life on an 11-acre farm with their horses, children, and grandchild.


Smitty has spent his career on the water, holding a USCG credential for over 30 years, along with a 200-ton Master’s License and Master of Towing credential. He began on tugboats in New York Harbor, later became a senior captain in the Fast Ferry industry, and in 1998 joined Miller’s Launch, where he managed daily operations for TowBoatU.S. Sandy Hook. Today, he brings deep experience in towing, salvage, and spill response to C-PORT. As a member of the American Salvage Association, Smitty draws on decades of leadership to help guide the industry and keep regulations balanced.

Smiling man in a blue blazer and shirt standing indoors against a blurred background

Terry Hill, Vice Chairman
Potomac Marine
Woodbridge, VA


Terry became a member of C-PORT in 2003. Though only a member for a relatively short period, Terry became deeply involved with the association and its mission and was elected to the Board in 2004. Terry has been an advocate for the towing and salvage industry, working closely with local, State, and Federal agencies both locally and nationally. Terry was instrumental in developing the relationship C-PORT has with NASBLA and is now a NASBLA Certified Instructor. 


Terry is president of CMTAA, Chesapeake Marine Towing and Assistance Association, a regional chapter of C-PORT.


Man in a blue polo shirt posing against a gray studio backdrop

Richard Paul, Treasurer
Marine Towing & Salvage of SWFL
Cape Coral, FL



Rich’s lifelong love of the water began in Florida, where he spent weekends on Little Gasparilla Island. In 2005 he earned his 50-Ton Master’s License with a Towing Endorsement, the first step toward turning his passion into a career.


After retiring from a 25-year career with Publix Supermarkets, Rich purchased TowBoatU.S. Cape Coral and has spent the past 19 years building a respected business. He remains dedicated to the professional growth of the marine assistance towing and salvage community.

Man in a black shirt standing outdoors at the beach during sunset, with blue sky and ocean behind him

Michael Tucker, Secretary

Texoma Destinations
Lake Texoma, OK


Michael’s love of the water began in Corpus Christi, where he spent his childhood surfing and fishing. After a career in the entertainment industry and several years in Los Angeles learning to sail, he returned to Texas. He became co-owner of Lighthouse Resort and Marina with his father. Together, they expanded it into a large operation that now includes a marina and resort, charter and rental fleets, campgrounds, a park, a tackle shop, and, most recently, a marine dealership and boat club.


That experience led Michael to earn his captain’s license, operate charter boats, and work as a towboat captain for TowBoatU.S. Lake Texoma. In 2022, he purchased the towing operation, adding it to his portfolio of businesses. With over a decade in assistance towing and salvage, he brings deep experience, passion, and leadership to the industry and is committed to helping represent its future growth.


Smiling man in a blue patterned blazer and white shirt, standing indoors.

Phil LeBlanc, Chairman Emeritus
Safe Sea
Wickford, RI


Growing up on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, Phil has been on the water his entire life. Summers were spent cruising New England under both power and sail, and by 18, he had earned his captain’s license. While studying at the University of Rhode Island, he began working for Safe/Sea, TowBoatU.S. Narragansett Bay, a role that turned a college job into a career spanning more than two decades.


Today, Phil is co-owner of the company where he got his start. He has served on multiple C-PORT committees, represented the organization on the NASBLA BOAT Program Advisory Council, and holds a 100-Ton Master for Near Coastal Waters with Commercial Assistance Towing and Radar Endorsements. As an ambassador for the commercial assistance industry, he is dedicated to advancing its growth through education and outreach.

Smiling man in a blue blazer and white shirt standing indoors against a blurred background

Jake Dunfee
 Rescue Marine
 Marblehead, OH


Jake began his career in towing and salvage in 1992, working as a deckhand and dispatcher at Boater’s Emergency Service in Marblehead, OH, under C-PORT founder Neil Shrock. Growing up boating on Lake Erie, he found it rewarding to help boaters in distress during his high school and college summers. After graduating, Jake purchased Boater’s Emergency Service in 2001 and later acquired two additional firms, forming Rescue Marine as a TowBoatU.S. company in 2005.


Over more than 25 years, Jake has witnessed both major growth and serious challenges in the industry. He credits C-PORT with addressing those challenges and helping towing and salvage thrive. With that perspective, Jake is proud to support C-PORT’s mission to represent, promote, protect, and defend its member companies, and he is honored to serve on the Board of Directors.

Smiling man in a dark suit and light blue shirt against a dark studio background

David LaMontagne
Pacific Towing LLC
Newport Beach, CA


David founded the Vessel Assist Association of America in 1984. He was also a founding member of C-PORT, where he helped establish the first minimum equipment standards for the assistance towing industry. He grew Vessel Assist into a nationwide network of 200 contract stations and 500 rapid response boats before selling the entities to BoatUS. He has continued to operate Vessel Assist/TowBoatU.S. Newport Beach, CA, has been home for nearly four decades.


A lifelong boater, David has owned many vessels and logged extensive racing and cruising miles, from Hawaii to the Caribbean, South America, and, most recently, the Bahamas to the Chesapeake Bay. An active member of the Balboa Yacht Club since 1998, he brings deep industry knowledge, business experience, and historical perspective to C-PORT. He is proud to serve the association he helped establish once again.




Man in a black suit and bow tie, smiling against a light textured wall.

Rich Lenardson
Great Lakes Marine Services
Bridgman, MI


Rich launched GLMS as an extension of Great Lakes Towing’s road service and, together with his wife Jessica, opened their first marine port in Saint Joseph, MI, in 2008. Since then, the business has grown to 16 TowBoatU.S. ports across five states.


With a lifelong background in road towing, Rich has applied those lessons to marine assistance, becoming a strong advocate for safety and training programs. He looks forward to sharing his experience with C-PORT and contributing to the growth of the industry and its membership.