Founder
Jack Foster was always a natural entrepreneur and ran many successful businesses before founding Floatair Boatlift. He was the first in his family to acquire a business degree from college but was a natural engineer. His continuous quest to make everything he touched better for others was apparent from the outside organizations he was a part of. He was also a founding father to the Flying Nobles a group of pilots who flew burned children who couldn't afford treatments to specialty hospitals up north. He was on the USC golf team while attending college, a licensed pilot and scuba diver and also served in the National Guard. He was also a great dancer wrote a book on shagging, the SC state dance. His positive aura was contagious as he inspired others to try and achieve and better themselves wherever he went. We all miss Jack but his contributions and designs still live on within the products and experiences he created within so many lives for so many people.
Engineer
It's hard to capture the essence of Hayward Porter in just a few words—he was one of the most unique and memorable individuals many of us had the privilege of knowing. Although we lost Hayward in January of 2020, his legacy lives on in the innovations he contributed to Floatair products and the lasting impressions he left on both our team and the customers who knew him. Known as the "Legend of the Lakes," Hayward’s talents and passions extended far beyond his work in the marine industry. Not many knew that in his younger years, he was an outstanding athlete, even being scouted to play professional baseball. Unfortunately, a pitching injury during a championship game ended those dreams, but it didn’t slow him down. Hayward was an avid hunter, a licensed electrician, and even held a general contractor’s license when he built houses. He could run heavy equipment like cranes, and he mastered numerous trades, including metal fabrication, wood carpentry, and electrical work. Not to mention being a master distiller and running moonshine back in his hay days as he called it. The stories from our team’s adventures with Hayward during long-distance trips and dealer training sessions are legendary. Working with him was never boring—his presence always ensured excitement and energy. Beyond work, Hayward and his wife, Regina, were dedicated to their community, regularly volunteering with organizations like Meals on Wheels and giving back wherever they could. Although we miss him deeply, Hayward will forever remain an integral part of Floatair Boatlifts and in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.