Two New Members Join SAFE Boats Board of Directors
Bremerton, Wash. based boatbuilder SAFE Boats International announced that retired Vice Admiral William “Dean” Lee and Tom Norton have joined its board of directors.Vice Admiral Lee served in the U. S. Coast Guard for more than 36-years, most recently serving as the Commander, Atlantic Area (LANTAREA), responsible for all Coast Guard operations from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. During his service to the Nation, he served in numerous command and staff positions specializing in search and rescue and small boat operations. Notable assignments included Commander, Fifth District;
SAFE Boats Becomes 100% Employee-owned
SAFE Boats International, a boatbuilder with yards in Bremerton and Tacoma, Wash., announced it completed a transaction that transfers 100% of the company’s ownership to its employees.The SAFE Boats International Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has acquired the company, completing the final milestone in a journey that started in late 2022. An ESOP is an employee retirement plan that allows employees to own shares in the business and benefit from the shares’ growth in value over time.SAFE Boats, which designs and manufactures aluminum watercraft ranging in size from 21 to more than 100
MJP Taps Kirby to Lead Americas Sales
years of marine industry expertise, including marine design and engineering, program management and new product development. Most recently he acted as director of marine sales for a propulsion system integrator. Previously Kirby has worked for several shipyards including Vigor, Kvichak Marine, SAFE Boats International and United States Marine Incorporated (USMI).“With Kevin’s technical background and knowledge of the marine industry, MJP will strengthen its position in the Americas region,” said Kristian Berg, MJP vice president of sales and marketing. “We welcome Kevin and look
Christensen Joins SAFE Boats
U.S. boatbuilder SAFE Boats International announced it has hired Cole Christensen as Business Development Manager - Commercial.Christensen brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. In his new role with the Business Development Team, he will focus on all aspects of the commercial sector, growing brand awareness both domestically and globally. He will be integral in advancing efforts to expand SAFE Boats’ presence in the offshore wind market and promoting the Stormer Workboats line of products.“We’re excited to have Cole on board to lead our commercial efforts. His energy
SAFE Boats to Reopen Tacoma Shipyard for Naval Build Program
U.S. shipbuilder SAFE Boats International will reopen its Tacoma, Wash. facility following the award of a $20 million lead contract for the U.S. Navy to start construction of the Mark VI patrol boats headed for the government of Ukraine.The U.S. Navy announced in January it had awarded SAFE Boats a portion of the contract to purchase long-lead material and associated pre-production and planning support with the remaining $80 million award anticipated in June.SAFE Boats’ Tacoma facility situated alongside the deep-water banks of Commencement Bay is an idea site to manufacture and launch the
Stott Joins SAFE Boats International
SAFE Boats International has hired Mark Stott as Business Development Director for the U.S. Western Region for government customers and private/commercial customers worldwide.Stott began his professional career in electronics and telecommunications before diving into the maritime industry. He has served as an engineer on large, private vessels worldwide and undertaken technical and business development roles with Protector USA and most recently, Moose Boats.“I’m excited to bring to SAFE Boats my 20-plus years of marine technical and business development experience,” Stott says.
US Shipyards: Always on the Job Hunt
to be part of our team, to be honest. Whether it’s design, construction or maintenance and sustainment, we are solidifying our place as a tier one American shipbuilder,” Deste said.On the West Coast, the pandemic has not diminished the strong sales and backlog of aluminum boatbuilder SAFE Boats International, who is currently hiring for various positions in production, engineering and other support roles at its Bremerton, Wash. shipyard.“The pandemic has had no impact on our staffing needs,” said SAFE Boats’ human resources director, Cindy McFarland. “We have not seen
Marine Jet Power Adds to Growing Team in the Americas
recently he was employed by the Mack Boring & Parts Company where he was responsible for dealer accounts for Scania Marine, providing technical sales support and account management to customers in his area of responsibility. Prior to that Merritt held increasing roles of responsibility at SAFE Boats International in the customer support group. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the American Military University.Gonzalez has joined MJP as Aftermarket Sales and Training Manager responsible for aftermarket sales and training in the Americas region. He served in the U.S
Hotz Joins National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy
international law enforcement, coast guard and military partners.” “John has spent his entire career as a steadfast consumer advocate while serving as a consultant and in executive management with many of the iconic companies that service our first responder needs such as SAFE Boats International, Boston Whaler, Donzi Marine and First Watch Safety Gear,” Wells said. “We are in exciting yet very challenging times,” Hotz said. “All aspects of our country’s resources are being stretched, while on-the-water responsibilities increase. The NMLEA
Landay Joins Gibbs & Cox Board of Directors
School. He was the 1998-1999 Navy Fellow in the Defense Systems Management College, Military Research Fellowship Program. He is a DoD level three certified acquisition professional and an expert in C4I Systems. Landay currently serves on the Board of Directors of VT Halter Marine and SAFE Boats International and is a senior Advisor at Avascent International and the Potomac Institute of Policy Studies
SAFE Boats Names Willis VP of Program Management
SAFE Boats International has promoted Janice Willis to the position of Vice President Program Management. Willis joined SAFE Boats in December 2010 as a member of the Business Development team, and in 2014 became the Director of Program Management, leading the teams responsible for managing SBI’s fed-eral government program business in Bremerton including the USCG CB-OTH and USCBP CIV Programs. Willis has over 25 years’ experience in program management and contract administration. The past 10 years have been in the marine industry in the Pacific Northwest. Before relocating
SAFE Boats Names Champagne Senior VP, Operations
SAFE Boats International has appointed Hartwell Champagne as its new Senior Vice President of Operations. Champagne joined SAFE Boats in 2013 and has been a key member of the company’s executive team. Prior to his new assignment, Champagne was the General Manager of the company’s Large Craft Production facility in Tacoma, Wash. where the U.S. Navy’s Mk VI Patrol Boats are manufactured. Hartwell has been part of the defense and government contracting industries almost the entirety of his career. His background is in product development, program management
Landay Named SAFE Boats’ Board Director
SAFE Boats International announced that Retired Vice Admiral William E. “Bill” Landay III has been appointed as a Director of the Board at SAFE Boats International. Vice Admiral Landay retired in 2013 after more than 35 years of naval service. His final assignment was as Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) from August 2010 until September 2013. DSCA oversees the U.S. Government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and is responsible for the sale of arms, defense technologies, training and other services to foreign governments. His sea tours
SBI Hire Aims to Boost Foreign Military Sales
Joseph Abeyta, President of Allwater Marine Group, LLC, has joined SAFE Boats International (SBI) as Foreign Military Sales Business Development Consultant to help increase foreign military sales business development growth efforts, SBI announced. Abeyta is a recently retired 24-year veteran of the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG). During his career with the USCG, Joe was an accomplished operator, held multiple commands, served as a vessel platform manager and as a regional security assistance officer. Abeyta brings a strong understanding of international and federal program requirements and
Goley Signs on as Director at SBI
SAFE Boats International (SBI) announced that Rob Goley has joined the company as its new Business Development Director – U.S. Federal Programs. Goley comes to SBI as a recently retired 20‐year veteran of the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG). During his tenure with USCG, Goley was an accomplished operator and respected leader with multiple command tours. Goley has received national recognition for his strong partnerships across all Department of Homeland Security components, as well as state and local agencies. He also serves as the national secretary for the Maritime Professional
SBI Adds Business Development Director
SAFE Boats International (SBI) announced it has hired Paul Ouellette as its new business development director for the U.S. East. Ouellette joins SBI as a recently retired Major for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Ouellette earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology from Fort Lewis College in Colorado. Commencing work as a State Law Enforcement Officer with FWC, Ouellette rose through the ranks to become Florida’s Boating Law Administrator, Chief of FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section and Regional Commander of Florida’s NE
SAFE Boats International Promotes Hotz
Aluminum boat manufacturer SAFE Boats International (SBI) announced the promotion of John Hotz to Director of International Business Development for Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico, a region which currently operates more than 130 SBI vessels. Hotz is a 30 year marine industry, business development veteran and is recognized worldwide as a subject matter expert on high speed maritime interdiction vessels, SAFE Boats said. Prior to joining SAFE Boats in 2009, Hotz led business development efforts for companies such as Boston Whaler and Donzi Marine.
