So is there a time when a boater’s passion for pontooning can be a hobby and a job?

Yes, if you’re Brian Woodall.

It’s not uncommon to find a pontoon manufacturing company employee who is passionate about boating. And vice versa.

But it does make us envious nonetheless.

Several years prior to starting his career with Veranda Luxury Pontoons in Arkansas, Brian took time to serve his country for six years, albeit on a much bigger ship than he was used to during his upbringing.

“Boating has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Brian said. “I grew up in the Hot Springs, Ark., area with four lakes nearby so many of my earliest memories involve camping and fishing on the water with my family.”

In 1993 Brian joined the U.S. Navy, where he served for six years; four in active duty (1993-97), followed by two years in the reserves (1997-99).

He explained, “On active duty, I served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) as an aviation storekeeper Third Class (E-4). I was responsible for warehousing and managing repairable aviation components for the carrier’s air wing, ensuring our squadrons always had the parts needed to stay mission-ready. I completed two West Pac deployments to the Persian Gulf region during this time.”

After active duty service, Brian moved to the reserves where he transferred to a Navy Seabees Construction Battalion. In that unit, which is based at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark., Brian was a Builder Third Class (E-4). The group trained to build and fight wherever needed on the front lines.

Reflecting back on why he signed up to serve, Brian said, “My maternal grandfather had served in the military and his stories inspired me. I wanted to serve my country while also earning money for college.”

Brian also reflected on some fond memories – and unique experiences – of his time in the Navy. He explained, “Some of my favorite memories include visiting beautiful Hawaii five times and pulling into incredible foreign ports such as Yokosuka in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Bahrain, Muscat in Oman and Perth and Hobart in Australia.”

As for one of his most unique experiences, Brian said, “On my first deployment, I earned my Golden Shellback certification by crossing the Equator and the International Date Line simultaneously, a rare maritime milestone marked with traditional Navy ceremonies.”

Brian is able to stay in touch with “several shipmates,” occasionally meeting up in South Dakota during the Sturgis Bike Week. Of that he said, “We ride the Black Hills and reminisce about old times.”

Thanks, in part, to Brian’s service in the Navy aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, his passion for boating never waned during his time in the Navy. After his military service, he became a certified marine mechanic and went to work for a local marine dealership, where he worked for five years. “That’s when I really fell in love with working on boats and being around the water every day,” he said.

Fast forward to today and you’ll find Brian at Veranda Luxury Pontoons where he is the warehouse supervisor. He’s been at Veranda a little more than five years. “What I enjoy most is knowing we’re building high-quality pontoon boats that help families create lasting memories on the water, just like the ones I’ve made with my own family over the years.”

When he’s not working around pontoons, he’s enjoying his own 2025 Veranda Vista Sport 25RCT triple pontoon. Powered by a Yamaha 250hp SHO VMAX engine, his current pontoon is the latest in many boats he’s owned over the years.

Brian and his wife Angela love to use their Veranda to get out on Lake Ouachita to fish and relax with family and friends.

So while it seems like Brian “takes his work with him,” when he’s out enjoying his pontoon, it appears he doesn’t mind it too much at all.