Navico®, parent company to the Lowrance®, Simrad Yachting, B&G® and C-MAP® brands, has announced the hiring of Kim Rodriguez as its new PR Manager for the Americas, bringing the communications position in-house for the first time.
Sadly, on June 5, 2021, James “Jim” Priest passed away. After a brief but courageous fight against leukemia, Jim peacefully slipped away at the age of 69 years. He loved his family and friends, playing golf and enjoying life.
Nautisme Québec is pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Julien de Tilly as program coordinator – marinas and marinas. A proud yachtsman and conscientious navigator, Julien has been traveling the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and the North Shore for nearly ten years, where he continues to discover the countless treasures aboard his sailboat.
Furuno USA has hired a new commercial business development manager. Based in Jean Laffite, Louisiana, Mr. John Bozzelle will play a key role in establishing and developing business relationships with Furuno dealers and commercial ship owners, operators, and builders around the Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard to promote the Furuno product line.
Mercury Marine Canada welcomes Richard Straka as the Director of its recently formed Category function.
Paul Frederick Sherman, owner of Ritchie Navigation, passed away peacefully on March 20 at the age of 81, followed by his wife of 55 years, Joan, on April 4. Sherman led the Pembroke, Massachusetts-based company from 1966 through 2020. His son and current company president, Jon Sherman, shared the sad announcement.
Boating industry leader and innovator Dometic Marine has announced the promotion of Bill Longacre to the important position of Vice President, After Market Sales & eCommerce.
Leading marine industry innovator Dometic Marine has promoted industry veteran Ray Wong to the pivotal position of Vice President, Technology & Product Development. Wong has been with the company for more than two decades, helping to develop many of its award-winning products.
Vesper Marine, manufacturer of innovative marine safety and communication products, has announced that due to rapid growth in the vital North American market, Damien Frye, based out of Seattle, Washington, has been hired as U.S. National Channel Manager.
James was first introduced into boating in 1980, in the town of Port Severn. Almost immediately he developed a passion for boating and purchased his first boat, a 15’ Kodiak with a 50hp Johnson.
Can-Am Sales Group, LLC., is pleased to announce that Canadian retail specialist Ray Jeffery has joined the Can-Am sales team as Sr. Account Manager. Ray will lead Can-Am’s sales efforts with key general merchandise and outdoor channel accounts based in Western Canada.
The industry is saddened to announce the passing of Doris Baxter-Forbes, founder of Monto Reno Marina in Lefroy.
On April 13th, Wells Fargo Distribution Finance, part of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), announced the retirement of marine industry leader Bruce Van Wagoner after 45 years in the industry and 33 years with Distribution Finance (DF). Effective immediately, Chad Lyon will lead DF’s Marine group.
Patty Lawrence to Manage International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference Education Program. The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has announced that Patty Lawrence has joined the team as Education Director.
After a long and distinguished career, Richard “Dick” Iosso, founder of Iosso Products, passed away on March 28 following a brief illness. He was 87. News of the loss of this industry innovator was shared by Dick’s daughter and company VP, Marianne Iosso.
Daniel Zilkha, CEO, Sabre Yachts recently sent the following newsletter to their customers and dealers. The end of March brought a big change at Sabre and Back Cove: after almost 30 years, Bentley (Collins) will complete his retirement, and, while remaining on our Management Committee, will relinquish his day-to-day sales and marketing responsibilities…
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has appointed Jeff Gray as the new chairman of their Technology Committee. Gray, vice president of the Trailer Division at ASA Electronics, has been a member of the committee for two years.
Magnum Venus Products (MVP), a global manufacturer of fluid movement and production solutions for industrial applications, is pleased to announce Tobi Ferguson as its President and CEO.
Boating Industry Magazine today announced that Lauren Beckstedt, Chief Marketing Officer, Brunswick Boat Group, Business Acceleration and Enterprise Marketing Services, has been selected as one of its 40 Under 40 award winners for 2021.
Groupe Beneteau has announced that Martin Schemkes has been appointed Brand Director of DELPHIA. Previously in charge of sales management for the JEANNEAU and PRESTIGE brands in Central and Northern Europe, Martin Schemkes joined the Groupe Beneteau in 2000.