A Leader Who Lifts All Boats
When you stand on the deck of one of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s tall ships, you can feel the difference a real leader makes. For the past decade, Captain Bruce Heyman has been at the helm, steering LAMI toward an extraordinary vision: empowering young people to discover their greatest potential through the transformative experience of sailing.
This year, we are deeply honored to have Captain Heyman serve as Grand Marshal of the 63rd Annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Boat Parade. He represents everything this celebration stands for: passion for our harbor, commitment to our community, and an unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to explore their possibilities.
The Man Behind the Mission
Captain Heyman isn’t just an administrator or a figurehead. He’s a sailor, an educator, and a dreamer who truly understands the power of being out on the water. When he talks about why LAMI matters, you hear the conviction in every word. He speaks about kids who’ve never set foot on a boat before, many from under-resourced communities, stepping aboard the Irving Johnson or the Exy Johnson for the first time and feeling something shift inside them.
“This is exactly why we do what we do,” he has said, “to create these unforgettable experiences for local youth while they learn important skills to help them succeed in the future.”
That’s not corporate speak. That’s a man who has dedicated his career to making sure that a young person’s zip code doesn’t determine their future. That a child’s circumstances don’t limit their dreams.
Building a Better Waterfront
Beyond LAMI, Captain Heyman serves as chair of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, where he champions the Bridge to Breakwater initiative and works tirelessly to transform our LA Waterfront. He understands that thriving communities are built by people who show up, stay engaged, and believe in something bigger than themselves.
“A rising tide floats all boats,” he often says. And he lives that philosophy every single day.
In the last thirty years, LAMI has touched the lives of over 130,000 young people. That legacy didn’t happen by accident. It happened because Captain Heyman and leaders like him believed that education happens on multiple levels: in the classroom, yes, but also on the water, in the rigging, in the teamwork required to move a 110-foot brigantine through the harbor.
Why He Matters to Us
Captain Heyman represents the heart of the LA Harbor Afloat Boat Parade. This year’s parade benefits LAMI’s TopSail Youth Program, and when you see our Grand Marshal leading the way, know that he’s spent a decade opening doors for young sailors who might not have otherwise had that chance.
He believes in the power of light to transform darkness. He believes in the power of community to lift individuals. He believes in second chances, new beginnings, and the extraordinary potential that lives in every young person if we just give them the opportunity to discover it.
That’s the Captain we’re honoring. That’s the leader we’re proud to follow.
As you watch the boats light up our harbor this December 6th, keep your eye on our Grand Marshal, Captain Bruce Heyman. He represents the very best of San Pedro Bay, the very best of Los Angeles, and the very best of what happens when someone dedicates their life to helping others reach their greatest potential.
Fair winds and following seas to our Grand Marshal.