Brunswick Corp. named Nick Stickler president of Boston Whaler.
Stickler succeeds Huw Bower, who recently was appointed president of the Brunswick Boat Group. Stickler most recently was president of Harris and Cypress Cay Pontoons, a position he had held since 2012. He previously served as vice president of operations for those brands at the Fort Wayne, Ind., facility.
Stickler’s new appointment is effective immediately, and he will report to Bower.
Succeeding Stickler at Harris will be Jorge Valdes, managing director of the Brunswick Boats operation in Brazil. Valdes will transition to his new responsibilities over the coming weeks. As head of Harris and Cypress Cay, Valdes will report to Jeff Kinsey, president of Brunswick Freshwater Boats.
Stickler joined Brunswick in 2005. For the next six years he served in positions of increasing responsibility in the company’s former bowling operations before joining Harris/Cypress Cay.
While at Harris/Cypress Cay Stickler championed the development and introduction of many new and popular models, broadening the product portfolio while driving market-share gains in one of the industry’s fastest-growing segments, Brunswick said. He also oversaw significant capital investment, including the capacity expansion and relocation to a new production facility.
“Nick has a very impressive track record of accomplishment, fostering strong distribution relationships and guiding the Harris and Cypress Cay brands to their premier leadership positions in the pontoon category,” Bower said in a statement.
“Boston Whaler is one of the industry’s most iconic brands, and I am thrilled that Nick’s strategic insight, growth mindset and collaborative leadership style will perfectly complement the team at Boston Whaler.”
Stickler earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.
Valdes has been managing director of Brazil operations since 2011. He joined Brunswick in 2003, initially directing sourcing activities in Latin America. In 2009 he became director of business development for Latin America.
“A versatile marine industry professional, Jorge has been instrumental in advancing Brunswick’s presence in the Latin American region,” Bower said. “He planned and oversaw the construction of our boat production facilities in Joinville, Brazil, and developed and expanded our dealer network and support infrastructure there. Jorge’s deep operations skill set, personal energy and customer focus will reinforce the strong growth trajectory of the Harris and Cypress Cay brands.”
Valdes has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Mexico. He also has an MBA from the University of North Carolina.
Brunswick has begun the process of identifying Valdes’ replacement. In the interim, Brad Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sport boat and cruiser category for Brunswick Recreational Boats, will assist in the transition and assume direct oversight responsibility for Brunswick’s Brazil operations.
