BRUNSWICK APPOINTS SCHWABERO PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, PFEIFER NAMED PRESIDENT OF MERCURY MARINE
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) has announced that Mark D. Schwabero has been elected to the newly created post of president and chief operating officer, reporting to Dustan E. McCoy, chairman and chief executive officer.
Schwabero, most recently president of Brunswick's Mercury Marine engine segment, will be succeeded by John C. Pfeifer, who had been vice president – global operations for Mercury Marine. These promotions are effective immediately.
As part of this action and to further facilitate the Company's long-term succession process, Brunswick Boat Group (BBG) President Andrew E. Graves will be leaving the Company. Graves' direct reports – Jeff Behan, vice president – planning and business development; Boston Whaler President Huw Bower, Freshwater Group President Jeff Kinsey, and Recreation Boat Group President Tim Schiek — will now report to Schwabero.
In his new position, Schwabero will be responsible for all of Brunswick's day-to-day operations, with the leadership of the Company's four business segments – Engine, Boat, Fitness and Bowling & Billiards – reporting to him.
"An important responsibility of our Board of Directors is to ensure that we have a deep and robust succession process. Today's announcement reflects the quality of that process," McCoy said. "Mark is an accomplished executive who is intimately familiar with Brunswick's markets, particularly those in the marine segment from which the Company derives the majority of its sales and earnings. The role of chief operating officer positions Mark to better learn and actively manage Brunswick's overall operation, and each of its business segments and to develop and execute our strategic imperatives.
"John Pfeifer is taking the helm of a Mercury Marine organization that is strong and vibrant and building upon the momentum of a number of recent new products and engine innovations," McCoy said. "John has been an integral member of Mercury's leadership team, helping to fashion an energized organization that is setting the pace in today's global marine marketplace.
"In conclusion, the fact that we can adopt and staff such an organization structure totally from within our management ranks is testimony to the depth, talent and bench strength that we have fashioned through the years at Brunswick," McCoy continued. "We will miss Andy Graves, and we wish him the best and thank him for his contributions. He leaves behind a Boat Group that is better prepared and positioned to continue to prosper in this evolving and challenging marine market environment."
Mark Schwabero
Mark Schwabero joined Mercury Marine in 2004 as the president of the engine maker's Outboard Business Unit,
where he led the development, manufacturing and sales of the company's global outboard marine business. He
became president of Mercury Marine in 2008. During his tenure, Mercury Marine has launched a number of
successful and award-winning products, such as the Verado supercharged engines, 150hp FourStroke engine,
Joystick Piloting propulsion systems and a host of innovative products, parts and accessories.
He has also overseen the migration and integration of Mercury's sterndrive engine production from Oklahoma to
Wisconsin. Under Schwabero, Mercury has also continued to gain share in the competitive global engine market
as well as raise performance levels to attain some of the industry's highest quality and safety ratings.
Further, Mercury Marine recently was named 2013 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year taking top honors in the
Mega category.
Prior to joining Mercury, Schwabero was president and chief executive officer of Hendrickson International of
Woodridge, Illinois, a leading manufacturer of heavy trucks and trailer suspension systems and components.
Before that he served as president, Automotive Products and regional president for Pilkington Libbey-Owens-
Ford. Earlier, Schwabero was president of Bosch Braking Systems, North America, formed from an acquisition of
AlliedSignal's Braking Systems business, where he served as president. A 17-year career with Navistar
International preceded these more recent roles, and during that tenure he was a group vice president of the
truck business, group vice president of Operations and general manager of Medium Duty Products. He also spent
two years in sales with Navistar.
Schwabero holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in industrial and systems engineering
from The Ohio State University, where he was recognized with the University's Distinguished Alumnus Award in
1991 and a Meritorious Service Award in 2008. He serves on the Board of Directors of 1stSource Corporation and
National Exchange Bank, and is chairman of the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
John Pfeifer
John Pfeifer joined Brunswick in 2006 as president of the Brunswick Asia Pacific Group, and in 2008 was
appointed president of Brunswick Marine in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). In those roles, Pfeifer
streamlined the Company's global marine businesses to drive enhanced levels of customer service and improved
overall operating capability.
In 2012, Pfeifer was appointed vice president – global operations for Mercury Marine. In that position, he was
responsible for all of Mercury's global operations, which combined material supply with manufacturing and
distribution to enable a more streamlined and effective operations group. During his tenure, Mercury executed
a multi-year manufacturing capacity expansion to better position the operation for growth and profitability.
Prior to joining Brunswick, Pfeifer most recently held executive positions with ITT Corporation and Milacron,
Inc. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese language and culture at
the University of Michigan.
For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com
