Tiara Yachts / S2 Yachts Announce Organizational Changes

Tiara / S2 Yachts chairman and founder Leon Slikkers announced organizational changes for the builder’s Tiara and Pursuit brands.

Part of that restructuring includes Slikkers “taking a step back in the day-to-day operations of the two divisions,” according to a statement from S2 Yachts. “He will continue to focus on his role as advisor/consultant for S2 Yachts, which is now being run by three generations of Slikkers,” according to the statement.

Slikkers also announced that Pursuit Boats president Tom Slikkers will assume the position of S2 CEO and president. Robert Slikkers will continue to oversee Tiara’s manufacturing process, in addition to focusing on Energetz Composites. Energetz builds composite components for the alternative energy market.

As Tiara looks to streamline redundancies within the two boat companies, Tom Slikkers announced that Pursuit V.P. of Sales and Marketing George Hetzel was promoted to V.P. of Sales & Marketing for S2 Yachts. Hetzel will also coordinate S2’s international sales expansion plans with Pursuit’s Paul Perry and Tiara’s Graham Nisbit.

“George continues to demonstrate excellent leadership skills and has a real vision for the business,” Tom Slikkers said in a statement. “I’m confident that George will bring a best-practices approach to both organizations.”

In his new role, Hetzel hired yachting industry veteran Nick Bischoff to serve as Tiara’s business development manager for the northern region of the United States. Bischoff served as Tiara vice president of sales and marketing as recently as 2009.

“Nick is a natural fit for the position — he knows the Tiara customer, the Tiara product and the Tiara dealer network very well,” Hetzel said. “With his 25 years of experience, I know that he’ll hit the ground running and will have an immediate impact on our business.”

Bischoff will also serve as Tiara’s special projects manager, with an emphasis on facilitating new development and leading Tiara’s sales training program at Tiara University.

Hetzel also assigned the Latin American and Caribbean regions for Pursuit Boats to John Armbruster, who currently handles the southern region for Tiara. “John continues to demonstrate his effectiveness as a well-respected dealer advocate,” Hetzel said. “With John’s current responsibilities in Latin America and the Caribbean for Tiara, it made sense for John to work with S2’s Pursuit dealers in the region.”

Randy Jernigan was named business development manager for Pursuit’s Northeastern region and Canada. Jernigan brings more than 25 years of marine wholesale and retail experience to the brand. After serving in the Coast Guard, Jernigan worked with such companies as OMC, Bombardier and Hydra-Sports.

“Randy’s intimate knowledge of the Northeastern marketplace and extensive wholesale experience will immediately support and continue to strengthen a solid Pursuit dealer network,” Hetzel said. “We are fortunate to have such a strong representative join our Pursuit team.”

In addition to the direct sales responsibilities outlined, Pursuit marketing director David Glenn was promoted to marketing director for S2 Yachts. Glenn will be responsible for shaping both brands as the company moves forward.

“David has quickly become a valuable resource for our sales and marketing

Tiara is headquartered in Holland, Mich., and builds inboard yachts from 30 to 58 feet. Pursuit builds center console, sport and dual console boats from 18 to 38 feet in Fort Pierce, Fla.team,” Hetzel said. “His industry relationships, practical knowledge and brand savvy will play a critical role in our success for the future.”