PROGRESSIONS

CRUISING WORLD, SAILING WORLD TAP TWO FOR PROMOTIONS

Sally Helme, group publisher for Cruising World and Sailing World, announced that Ted Ruegg has been promoted to Advertising Director for Cruising World and Michael Tamulaites has been promoted to Advertising Director for Sailing World. 

“I am delighted to announce these well-deserved promotions” said Helme.  “Ted and Michael share a passionate commitment to sailing and the sailing industry, and they have the creativity and strategic vision needed to move our brands forward in partnership with our clients.  As Ad Directors, they will lead the sales and marketing efforts for Cruising World and Sailing World across all channels including print, digital, web, and events.”  

SCHMIDT NAMED SAIL BUYER’S GUIDE TECHNICAL EDITOR

In addition to his role as SAIL’s editor-at-large, David Schmidt has also been appointed technical editor of the annual SAIL Buyer's Guide.

Based in Seattle, Schmidt served as senior editor of SAIL (2006-2010), and before that was a long­time contributor to the magazine. He is a lifelong sailor with a deep passion for the technical aspects of sailboats. He is also owner of Alembic Media, LLC, a media company serving the marine and outdoor industries.

"David steps into the role of SAIL Buyer's Guide technical editor as we continue to invest in the search, navigation, and database elements of the Guide's website," said Publisher Josh Adams. "His technical expertise will insure that the data consumers search in the print and online SAIL Buyer's Guide is accurate."

FORMER SAILING INDUSTRY EXEC HEADS UP MARINEMAX VACATIONS

MarineMax recently launched MarineMax Vacations, a charter program offering sail and power yacht vacations as well as yacht ownership. The new venture begins with vessels from sailboat builder Dufour Yachts which is slated to begin in the BVIs this December.

Heading up the new vacation division is Raul Bermudez, formerly of TUI Marine, who serves as vice president and brings 10 years of charter industry experience to the position.

According to an article in Soundings Trade Today, MarineMax said it chose to partner with Dufour Yachts “because of the brand’s reputation for building premium sailboats with exceptional comfort and ease of use.” The MarineMax charter vessels have more than $50,000 worth of modifications and amenities to ensure the most user-friendly selection of charter boats available.

MOVIE STAR MORGAN FREEMAN FILLS NSHOF HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

Morgan Freeman was chosen to become the NSHOF Honorary Advisory Board Chair, filling a position that was formerly held by the late Walter Cronkite.

“I am honored to be part of the National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame as we create a home for American sailing,” Freeman said in a press release. “I know how important it was to Walter. My love for sailing started at an early age, and there is nothing like being carried away by the wind and waves.”

The inaugural induction to the Hall of Fame was held on Oct. 23 at the San Diego Yacht Club. It is being dedicated to Walter Cronkite, who was the first chair of the Honorary Advisory Board.

The NSHOF describes Cronkite as an avid sailor and is celebrating his contributions to sailing in America with a two-part series in which Cronkite chronicles the 1987 America’s Cup race by race titled, “America’s Cup: Cronkite Reports.”

The America’s Cup: Cronkite Reports video series, narrated by Walter Cronkite, chronicles Dennis Conner’s challenge to recapture America’s Cup from Australia in 1987.

MARGARET PODLICH PROMOTED AT BOATU.S.

Margaret Podlich is promoted to executive vice president and official spokesperson for BoatU.S. She now oversees all official external communications including public relations and government affairs. She will also establish the Association's official policy positions and action plans, as she has done the past several years.

Over the past six years in her role as Vice President of BoatU.S. Government Affairs, Podlich developed boating-friendly policies nationwide on behalf of the Association's members. Prior to that, Margaret served as Assistant Vice President and Director of the BoatU.S. Foundation's Clean Water Trust after starting with BoatU.S. in 1994.

A life-long boater, she was a member of the 2006 and 2007 US Sailing Team and raced the 3-woman Yngling. This year, she competed in the (solo) Laser Master Nationals in Michigan, sailed her 8th Rolex International Women's Keelboat Regatta (finishing 4th) in Rochester, and won the Alice Kelley Ladies Billfish Tournament in North Carolina with the Volvo Penta team.

KARMA WINS TOP BENETEAU HONORS

The prestigious Beneteau 'President's Award' for the top 10 dealers in the network based on their sales accomplishment and the Beneteau 'Dealer of the Year Award' for Sales and Service given to the top dealer in each categories for the 2010-2011 year were recently announced.

Lake Michigan Dealer Karma Yacht Sales (KYS) was the proud recipient of 'Service Dealer of the Year Award', having received a perfect NMMA Customer Service Initiative (CSI) score of 100%. KYS was also awarded the Beneteau 'President's Award' for their achievements in sales.

The 'Dealer of the Year Award' came as a pleasant surprise to the founders of the company, Jack Buoscio and Lou Sandoval, as it is the first time a winner has received a perfect score.

"This award is a testament to our hardworking service employees" said Jack Buoscio, "They show up every day ready to live our mission. While some days are more challenging than others, we make sure the end result of each commissioning is a happy client on a boat that will perform well."

TOP ISLAND PACKET DEALERS RECOGNIZED

US boat builder Island Packet has named Island Yacht Charters winner of its Dealer Awards 2011. Based in the US Virgin Island and run by Skip and Andrea King, Island Yacht Charters took home the prize for the best overall sales and service provider of any dealer worldwide.

Also recognized with the Golden Wrench award for outstanding customer service and support were Island Yacht Charters, Pierce Yacht Company (Boothbay Harbor, ME), Hellier Yacht Sales (New London, CT), Gratitude Yachting Center (Rock Hall, MD), Suncoast Yacht Sales (San Diego, CA) and Signature Yachts (Seattle, WA).

Island Yacht Charters also received a 15-year dealer service award while Norm and Mary Pierce of Pierce Yacht Company and Ray Schrader of Schrader Yacht Sales (Point Pleasant, NJ) both collected 25-year dealer service awards.

GMT COMPOSITES NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF SALES and MARKETING

Bristol, R.I.-based GMT Composites Inc. named Jonathan Craig its new director of sales and marketing. Craig, who has more than a decade of experience in composites with Fiberspar Inc., will look to grow GMT's marine business, increase brand awareness with new marketing initiatives and expand GMT's industrial applications.

"Of course, our goals are to increase business, both in our core marine and industrial categories and find new areas of opportunity, but we place a premium on our high standards of quality, customer service and customization,” said David Schwartz, president of GMT Composites. “Jonathan's sales and marketing experience are a great benefit to achieving our goals. He has a deep interest and experience in the marine category and has developed multiple sales channels, but he also has the dedicated focus on the customer that will make him an important part of our team."

CRUSADER YACHTS ANNOUNCES NEW OWNER

Crusader Yacht Sales announced that after 30 years of ownership, Nancy Cann has sold the business to Mike Titgemeyer of Annapolis, Md.

“It is great to have Mike as the new president of Crusader, as I know he will keep our strong company culture, as well as guide the company to new heights. I look forward to remaining involved with the company for a long time to ensure a smooth transition and to continue doing what I love — without the strains of ownership,” Cann said in a statement.

Titgemeyer is a lifelong sailor and a certified yacht broker. He has held various positions within the sailing industry during the last 25 years, including rigger, sail maker, service manager, national sales manager for Tartan Yachts and regional manager for Tartan C&C Yacht Sales of Annapolis.

Cann will remain with Crusader Yacht Sales in a general manager role for the foreseeable future and will gradually taper her Crusader responsibilities.

Crusader is a leading broker and dealer for Tartan, C&C, Malo, Legacy & Bruckmann Yachts in Annapolis.

Newport Charter Yacht Show gets new owners

The Newport Charter Yacht Show (NCYS) has been acquired by Newport Harbor Corporation (NHC). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

NHC is the parent company of Newport Exhibition Group, which produces and manages multiple industry events, including the Newport International Boat Show. The Newport Charter Yacht Show has been in existence for 30 years.

“This will be the third consecutive year that the Newport Charter Yacht Show will be held at the Newport Yachting Center but the first time it will be a part of the NHC family,” said Tom DeLotto, director of Newport Exhibition Group, in a statement. “The Newport Charter Yacht Show has a solid foundation and will synergize perfectly with our company’s expertise in the yachting industry.”

The show will run from June 18-22, 2012.

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