Midwest

MarineMax Promotes Riley

MarineMax has announced that Bryan Riley has been promoted to Regional Service and Parts Manager of Midwest and North Florida stores.Riley grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1989. He began his career in the Marine industry in 1993 when he started working at Port Arrowhead Marina as a Delivery Captain and later as Service Manager. Port Arrowhead Marina joined the MarineMax family in 2006 and afterward, Riley became the Operations Manager. Along with his wife and two children, he enjoys boating and all watersports.

AMI Welcomes Affiliate Partnership with WMA

The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) has welcomed the Wisconsin Marine Association (WMA) as its newest membership partner. Now all WMA marina members will receive the additional benefit of being members of AMI in conjunction with their WMA membership. This means WMA members will now have access to all AMI services, products and benefits in addition to those they already receive from WMA. The WMA was launched in March 2009 with the planning and support of several WI marina operators, the Wisconsin Harbor Towns Association, and funding support from the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.

Chris-Craft Appoints Regional Sales Director

Norm Kraus has joined the Chris-Craft team as Regional Sales Director. Kraus comes to Chris-Craft with 40 years of industry experience. He started his professional career in the retail sector, working as a technician/sales/sales management/GM at dealerships in the Northern Ohio Market. In addition to his retail experience, Norm has served as a District Sales Manager for Eagle Trailers, and most recently Regional Business Development Manager at Mastercraft Boats, assisting dealer growth in the Northeast and Midwest. "We are excited to have Norm join our team as a Regional Sales Director.

Lunasea Lighting Adds Midwest Sales Representative

Lunasea Lighting, a manufacturer of lighting solutions and accessories for marine applications, has selected Great Lakes Marine Marketing to represent its product line throughout the Midwest region. Headquartered in Port Clinton, Ohio, Great Lakes Marine Marketing has serviced distributors and OEMs within the commercial and recreational marine industries for more than 30 years. “We’re excited about this opportunity, and we look forward to introducing Lunasea’s extensive lineup of high quality LED lighting products to our customer base,” said Randy Dykstra, president of Great Lakes Marine Marketing.

Safe Harbor Marinas Acquires Grand Isle Marina

Safe Harbor Marinas has acquired Grand Isle Marina in Grand Haven, Mich., about a three-hour drive from both Chicago and Detroit. Located along 21 miles of inland waterway and just minutes from Lake Michigan, Grand Isle Marina features 400 permanent boat slips and about 150 dry racks. Safe Harbor Marinas said it is seeking to expand and diversify its inland and coastal marina portfolio. One of the key reasons the company acquired Grand Isle Marina is its proximity to another marina owned by Safe Harbor along the same waterway. The company projects that this common ownership will help develop transient boating opportunities in the region.

Jensen Joins Larson FX Promotional Team

The Larson FX promotional team has added one more member to the team, Bob Jensen. "We are thrilled that Bob has chosen to join our FX team." said Rob Parmentier, Larson Boat Group President and CEO. Jensen is teaming up with existing Larson FX promotional team member, Mike Frisch and his School of Fish children's education programming to educate and excite others, regardless of age, about fishing. "I am looking forward to my new relationship with Larson, my fellow FX promotional team members and especially educating others and catching fish from a Larson FX 1750 TL powered by an Evinrude 90hp or the brand new 1850DC with a 150hp Evinrude," Jensen said.

Springfield Marine Appoints Walker

Springfield Marine Company appointed Bill Walker as Upper Midwest Regional Sales Manager. With more than 15 years experience in the marine industry, Smith joins the company from Sierra International, where he served as Assistant Product Manager. Prior to that Walker held a Business Development Manager role with Mercury Marine. Smith will be responsible for growing sales with Marine OEM and Aftermarket customers, as well as the RV segment, for the full line of Springfield products…

World's First Hi-speed Amphibians Miami Debut

The GIBBS Quadski, will make its Miami public debut at this year’s Miami International Boat Show (Feb. 14-18). Developed and built in the U.S., the high-speed amphibian (HSA) has a durable, but light-weight composite hull; utilizes patented water-jet technology, and is powered by a BMW Motorrad engine and transmission. The Quadski transitions from land to water in less than five seconds and reaches planing speeds in seconds. The new HSA weighs 1,300 pounds, is equipped with a 15-gallon fuel tank and retails for about $40,000.