Solutions
Solutions
We contacted builders who are at least near a half-century old and asked them to recommend an employee who deserves a little recognition. Not necessarily an employee who has been with each manufacturer the longest, but one who has played a significant role in the company’s success over the years. What we discovered was a list rich in history with plenty of stories to share.
Dave Frey, Years 47
After managing paint and final finish early in his career he got involved in quality and supervising the compliance group.
“The majority of my time has been spent in compliance and quality,” explains Dave. “I’ve worked for different management teams and this current one is by far the best. If not for the people I wouldn’t be here because I am old enough I could retire.”
Dave currently serves as the quality compliance supervisor, heading a group of more than 40 people over all the different lines the company offers. Today, Starcraft uses a much more advanced system for its quality inspection but Frey was instrumental in the tablet inspection system that was considered revolutionary at the time.
“Dave has always been someone I looked up to, someone I rely on and consider to be a mentor,” says Marketing Coordinator Steve Huber. “He has the wisdom of a long-term employee, but he’s also been able to stay relevant. Dave has always been able to do that.”
David Allen, 57 Years
In the early 2000s, he could often be seen setting up the company’s booth at various trade shows across the country. At these trade shows, he made connections with other industry professionals and potential customers for the company.
“Years ago when we would display at the wholesale trade shows the unions in charge of the convention centers would charge a fortune to hang signs,” recalls Tom Cox, the owner of Aloha. “David is 6-foot, 6 inches tall and he would take a softball, drive a nail in it then attach a kite string followed by a rope and throw it over the rafters to hang our signs as well as other exhibitors’ signs. It was hilarious and helped a lot of people save money.”
Tom credits him for being a very dedicated worker and a true friend to his peers and said it’s not uncommon for David to spend the weekends delivering pontoon boats across the country after working all week.
During the economic downturn in 2008 when the recession flipped the boat industry on its head, Tom was unsure if Aloha would survive. “David’s work was invaluable and a key factor in helping the company survive and my favorite quality about David is his dedication as well as how much he cares for the business.”
Chuck Inman, 28 Years
“From the first day on the job, you could tell Chuck was motivated to succeed in our company and was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish the mission at hand,” recalls Joe.
After 9/11, PlayCraft closed their houseboat division and moved Chuck over to the pontoon side of the business. Originally, Chuck worked on the decking crew, but later transferred to the final assembly team because of his astute attention to detail.
In his time with PlayCraft, Chuck has mastered all aspects of the pontoon building process and has become the lead foreman for his crew. He must give his final approval to all pontoon boats leaving the company before they are delivered to the customer or dealer.
Chuck’s personality and sense of humor make him a delight to work with. On the occasions when his team has to work extra hours to meet deadlines, Chuck remains a smiling face, doing what he can to boost the morale of his co-workers. His motto is, “24/7. Whatever it takes.”
When talking about Chuck’s role at PlayCraft, Joe concluded by saying, “It is with great pride and honor PlayCraft was blessed with such a great man that has accomplished many things in life, and it will be a sad day when he finally decides to hang his hat up. Without his mental fortitude, passion, motivation, and desire to succeed, PlayCraft Boats would not be where they are today. I am extremely proud and truly honored to not only have him as a tremendous employee, but a wonderful friend as well.”
Rory Herndon, 28 Years
“Rory’s DNA runs through each and every boat that exits its facility,” says Clay Connor, vice president of marketing.
From his first memory as a youngster, Rory has been involved in just about every aspect of the development of the Veranda Luxury Pontoon evolution beginning with the very first Xpress pontoon in 2004. Realistically, Rory can be considered the most tenured Veranda employee and now at the helm has moved the company from its humble beginnings of a 32,000 square-foot facility in the Xpress Boats plant to its very own 377,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant located just three miles south.
Rory has not only focused his efforts on defining and implementing production efficiencies but also a relentless focus on R&D.
“This young man has humbly accepted and embraced this enormous responsibility to build a great business on sound principles, develop a culture that his employees have fully supported,” adds Clay. “You will not find a more engaged, active leader of a company in all aspects of the business than Rory, as he has fully accepted the challenge and the responsibility–all the while perpetuating the legacy of his family and the brand.”
Rory believes that it is his calling to not just carry the torch, but also pass it on to his two sons better than he found it if they too wish to take the reins some day.
Dave Denniston, 38 Years
Dave soon moved into maintenance and played an integral part of redesigning current machinery and developing new machinery; many of the machines he built and helped develop are still in use today along with the wall bending process, frames and jigs.
According to management, Dave is a testament to the days of hard work and a hand-crafted boat before drawings, computers and prints, providing the company with knowledge for reworking boats that come back for service pre-dating their existing files.
Dave was fortunate to work alongside his wife Juanita for 10 years before her retirement in 2015 and his son Louis followed in his footsteps and is currently a Level 3 welder for Avalon & Tahoe. He spends his days now continuing to improve machinery and building processes but most importantly serves as a mentor to mold the generations behind him by teaching them his tips, tricks and techniques he’s picked up throughout the years.
President Duane Dinninger said of Dave’s contributions, “The value Dave Denniston provides is truly immeasurable. His unwavering commitment to excellence and his expertise in the art of pontoon building have helped us navigate challenges and seize opportunities over the years. Dave truly embodies the values that Avalon & Tahoe stands for and we are extremely fortunate to call him part of the family.”
Jeremy Bowers, 45 Years
“Jeremy is a true friend. He is loyal, trustworthy and well respected by his peers,” said Amy Parker, a co-owner of Splendor Boats.
Jeremy is currently head of the boat production department at Splendor where he oversees each point of the manufacturing process. He is always looking for ways to improve production and make the end product better.
His wealth of knowledge and deep concern for the quality of the product produced are characteristics Jeremy shares with the company’s earliest employee and founder, Doyle Heckaman.
Heckaman started Splendor boats after decades of fabricating fiberglass hulls for many other major boat brands. In 1989, he created a new hull which allowed for a much more stable ride on the water.
This design meant too much to him to give to some other company, so he kept it, creating Splendor Boats. While the company has grown exponentially since its founding, it has never lost sight of Heckaman’s original goal: to provide better, more innovative products and services to its customers.
Kirk Harmon, 29 Years
“I am thankful for the opportunities and all the people who have been a part of my journey,” says Kirk.
“I’ve enjoyed watching and being a part of all the changes over the last 29 years.”
Kirk is credited for being a great asset to Harris and contributing to its success according to management.
Sean Brooks, 35 Years
Sean has also been instrumental in helping set up and supporting sales at the major boat shows Godfrey displays at.
He has headed up the company co-ed softball team for years and says what he loves most about working at Godfrey Marine is the relationships he has made with the employees, sales team and dealers and feels like he’s treated as family.
In the past, Sean co-chaired a non-profit fundraiser for Godfrey Marine with the United Way. Outside of work he enjoys golfing, soccer and minor league baseball as well as spending time with his family. Sean has been married 31 years and has two boys he loves to spend time with.
Tommy Newell, 25 Years
Tommy began his career in the furniture department before moving to rail panel/press. In 2001, he became the lead of rail panel, a position he held until he was promoted to be a supervisor in 2010 for a brand-new department.
The new department, which Tommy helped set up and he continues to manage today, includes rail and rail panel, rail weld, rail cut, Bimini as well as sandblast powder coat.
“Tom prides himself on being a hands-on type of leader, never asking anyone to do something he’s not willing to do himself,” says Justin Griffin, a production manager at Crest. “He is 100 percent accountable and through his work ethic, experience, and leadership, an absolute pillar. He is easily one of the most dedicated employees here at Crest.”
Richard Luttrell, 45 Years
After many years with LOWE Boats, Richard became the lead over the pontoon fence and log line and later moved to the engineering R&D department where he still works today.
According to management, Richard’s experience in many different areas at the company has given him a wealth of knowledge that he uses to promote a better creation and product development process. He is always willing to take on any assigned task with a positive attitude and has become a leader to his co-workers.