Raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Ron Silvia’s passion for boating began at an early age. Eager to spend time on the water as much as he could, Silvia spent summers working as a dock-hand at his family’s marina and earned his Captain’s license by age 18. Throughout his undergraduate years at Bentley University studying Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Silvia captained 40 to 60-foot yachts up and down the East Coast during his summers off. In 2008, Silvia and his wife moved to Chicago where he pursued his MBA from Loyola University. Silvia went on to begin a career at Chicago’s acclaimed Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, where he attained recognition as a leading yacht salesman in Chicago and worked his way up to become Vice President of Sales in 2015.
Leveraging expansive knowledge in boating and dock operations, Silvia soon saw the potential for a more accessible way for people to experience the Chicago River. In April of 2012, Silvia launched the Chicago Electric Boat Company alongside his late business partner, Greg Krueger, with just two Duffy electric boats. The unique business model offered guests a simple, safe, and affordable way to boat privately on the river. To date, Chicago Electric Boat Company has grown its fleet to over twenty-five vessels, having expanded into multiple brands including Chicago Retro Boats and Chicago Cycleboats. Silvia serves as a leader and advocate for Chicago’s boating community, as President of Downtown Docks which has multiple locations at the Chicago Riverwalk, RPM on the Water, and Rockwell on the River. He played an integral role in the development bringing recreational boaters to Chicago’s award-winning Riverwalk. Silvia is also a member of the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee, where he serves as the bareboat sector representative on behalf of local businesses and social interests to implement safe, sustainable and community-driven measures that bolster the city’s waterways. A father of two, when he’s not boating, Silvia enjoys skiing, traveling, and spending time with this family.