Photo courtesy Chaparral and Robalo Boats

Chaparral and Robalo Boats today announced the 80th birthday of Buck Pegg, who founded the Chaparral brand in 1965.

“I will now cut back my working hours to only 50 per week,” Pegg said in a statement.

In honor of his birthday and economic contributions to South Georgia, the state flag was flown over the Georgia State Capitol. Additionally, a U.S. flag was flown in Pegg’s honor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., according to the statement.

“The past 41 years working with Buck has been a wonderful journey,” Chaparral Boats senior vice president Ann Baldree told Trade Only Today. “I have been privileged to a work alongside a man with a great work ethic and someone who wants to empower and challenge those around him to be their very best. He has been a mentor, friend and hero. He cares for his team, and he has taught me to think out of the box and be bold but fair.”