Ashley Reville Hill: The Woman Behind NYB

Meet Ashley Reville Hill, NYB partner and project manager.

She started her career in the marine industry working in Newport at what’s now called Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard. She has crossed several oceans, raced in superyacht regattas around the world, and worked on vessels ranging from Swan 82s to J class yachts.

As project leader for Newport Yacht Builders, Ashley manages the operational side of the business: she handles all communications, scheduling and coordinating.

Ashley is also the manager of another arm of Newport Yacht Builders called CaptureRI, its 3D interactive scanning partner, which delivers accurate scans of yachts, yacht interiors, and shoreside interior spaces to provide owners, designers, and builders with detailed data for the design and build process.

We asked Ashley some questions to get to know her better:

1. What are some of the obstacles you come up against as a woman in the industry?

I’d say I’ve been pretty lucky with the guys I’ve worked with in this industry, and I thankfully don’t have to think much about my place as a woman on a day-to-day basis, but that’s not to say I don’t experience it. The marine industry is especially male dominated but the younger generations seem to be less segregated by sex in professions compared to the past generations, so I’m hopeful that there will be fewer obstacles for women to come.

 2. What do you love most about your job?

I really enjoy interacting with all of the different contractors and owners. I also love seeing our process in full swing—going from design to finished build is pretty amazing.

 3. How do you see the industry evolving over the next five years?

Hopefully the marine industry continues to be profitable and the current and future boat/yacht owners stay passionate about the boating lifestyle so that we can continue to redesign and rebuild for them. I also think technology is already playing a large role in improving our processes and lending to more accurate and time-saving methods.

 4. Where and what would be (or is) your ideal vacation?

There are too many destinations to list but anywhere that offers a good adventure…and some days in a lounge chair with my book and a nice glass of vino in hand!

 5. What do you love most about the sailing world?

The people and the adventures it brings you on. My husband has been sailing for the past 18+ years, and many of these yachts have brought us all around the world. Each place we end up, you somehow see a familiar face or you meet someone new who becomes a life-long friend. It’s a small industry that makes the world also seem small!

 6. When you aren't working, where can we find you?

Hopefully no one is looking that hard, but most likely at home with a book in hand or walking my dog Charlie! I love a good adventure but there’s nowhere like home.