(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) — IMTRA Corp. and its employees are saddened by the passing of former CEO and longtime member of the IMTRA family, Nat Bishop, after a 15-year battle with melanoma.
Bishop joined IMTRA, a leading manufacturer, supplier and importer of marine products, in May 1974 and worked there until his retirement at the end of 2013. He spearheaded the company’s expansion effort by opening its Southeast operation in Clearwater, Fla., which proved to be pivotal for the company’s growth and profitability. After returning to New England in 1985, Bishop was tasked with leading IMTRA’s subsidiary, Maximum Inc., a boutique manufacturer of precision weather instrumentation. As a member of the IMTRA leadership team, he was responsible for numerous acquisitions and growth activities. In 1997, Bishop became the CEO, navigating the economic challenges of the Great Recession and preparing the company for success in the future. After retirement he remained an active member of the IMTRA board of directors. Bishop’s care for his employees, customers and vendors set a tremendous example on how to live and lead.
“Nat will be sorely missed,” said Eric Braitmayer, CEO, IMTRA. “He had an incredible impact on our company culture and was trusted and valued by everyone who had the privilege of working with him. He led us through times of great growth and change as well as through some of our most challenging moments, and did it all equally well with grace and humor. I know I speak for the entire company when I say we are all better for having worked with and known Nat.”