In an industry built on trust, experience, and long-term relationships, leadership matters. Over the past decade, Josh McLean has not only carried forward the legacy of David Walters Yachts, but he has also redefined what it means to grow a modern yacht brokerage while staying true to its core values.
What began as a single-office boutique firm in Fort Lauderdale has, under Josh’s leadership, evolved into a nationally recognized brokerage with a global footprint. Today, David Walters Yachts spans key markets including Annapolis, Maryland; St. Maarten; and Marina del Rey, California—an expansion that reflects both strategic vision and a clear understanding of where the market is moving.
Josh’s path to yacht brokerage was anything but conventional. Raised along the shores of Lake Michigan in Grand Rapids, his early life revolved around the water; sailing, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. That foundation instilled not only a love for boating, but also a respect for seamanship that continues to influence his work today.
Following the events of September 11, Josh chose to serve his country. While earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, he completed ROTC and went on to graduate at the top of his class in U.S. Air Force flight school. Selected to fly the U-28A for Air Force Special Operations Command, he completed eight combat deployments and spent more than two years in active combat zones.
That experience, defined by precision, accountability, and high-stakes decision-making, would later become a cornerstone of his leadership style.
After separating from the Air Force in 2015, Josh relocated to Fort Lauderdale and joined David Walters Yachts under the mentorship of founder David Walters. What followed was an intensive immersion into the brokerage business, not just the mechanics of buying and selling yachts, but the philosophy behind it.
David Walters built his reputation on integrity, client advocacy, and a deep respect for the boating lifestyle. When he was diagnosed with cancer, the transition of leadership came sooner than expected. Josh stepped into that role with a clear mandate: preserve the values that built the company, while positioning it for long-term growth.
Over the past ten years, Josh has led David Walters Yachts through a period of remarkable growth.
The firm has expanded from a small team of four brokers into a network of more than twenty professionals throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Strategic expansion into Annapolis, St. Maarten, and Marina del Rey has allowed the company to better serve a broader and more diverse client base while maintaining a consistent standard of service.
Beyond geographic growth, Josh has prioritized partnerships with respected yacht builders and continued to strengthen the company’s position as a leader in the brokerage market. The focus has never been on volume alone, it has been on aligning the right clients with the right opportunities and doing so with a level of professionalism that earns long-term trust.
Despite the demands of running a growing organization, Josh remains actively involved in client transactions. That hands-on approach is intentional. It keeps him connected to the realities of the market and reinforces a culture where leadership is not removed from execution.
Colleagues and clients alike recognize his disciplined, results-driven mindset, paired with a steady, thoughtful approach to decision-making. It’s a balance that reflects both his military background and his deep respect for the responsibility that comes with guiding clients through significant purchases and life transitions.
Ten years in, the impact of Josh McLean’s leadership is clear. David Walters Yachts has grown in size, reach, and reputation without losing the character that defines it.
As the company continues to expand, the focus remains unchanged: deliver exceptional service, build lasting relationships, and uphold the standard set by those who came before.
In many ways, that may be Josh’s most significant achievement, not just growing the business, but doing so without compromising the values that made it worth building in the first place.