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After 20+ years working for Hunter Marine (nka Marlow-Hunter, LLC) it is time to tackle future endeavors.  I have strong marketing and sales skills coupled with general team management which resulted in Hunter being the number 1 brand in North America prior to the current ownership.  Sales rose from $16.5 million to $83 million under my direct supervision over a 12 year period.  This was accomplished by growing the distribution network and being innovative in a never attempted non-traditional sales methods. An example of this would be Hunter's exclusive relationship with Sailtime which resulted in a fleet of 155 boats.  

Under my leadership as President, I was the key figure in the sale of the assets of Hunter Marine and managing through an industry wide deep depression.  Direct reports rallied as a team; they being Directors of Manufacturing, Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, Customer Service; Quality Control Manager and the CFO; to survive and make the sale happen within a short 90 day window.

Highly respected in the industry as I was the first non-owner elected President of SailAmerica, the industry's trade association, and first non-owner to receive the SAIL Industry Award for Leadership.

Many of my skills and talents are transferable to many industries that manufacture, market, and sell products through a channel distribution system.

Please connect with me on LinkedIn or e-mail me directly at appete@aol.com to obtain more information about my business experience(s), skills and/or to obtain a copy of my resume.

Recruited initially to take over the sales and marketing of the company which, at that time, had 32 dealers, sales revenues of $16.5 million and 125 employees, and focused on 30’-40’ sail boats. Grew the business more than five-fold to revenues of $83 million 
and 425 employees – along the way, increasing the average package price by 9% and gross margins by 3 percentage points by the creative bundling of options. Later promoted to President.
?	As Vice President, Sales & Marketing grew the business from number 3/4 in the market to #1 market leader – while increasing pricing and margins:
?	Drove company to #1 market share in the largest segment of the market - the 30' to 40' range and the #1 or #2 retail dealership in the top 18 markets in North America.
o	Quickly built a more comprehensive dealer network increasing the dealer network from 32 to 142 including international dealers for the first team. Traveled  overseas to evaluate and appoint 40 international distributors.
o	Created a ‘Customer Profile Council’ to identify demographics and preferences of existing and targeted customers – used feedback from the council to drive “pull” advertising and to shape boat design and interior finishes
o	First in US (world?) to establish a leasing agreement with a major North American boat rental corporation – eventually selling 150 boats via this arrangement at full retail price - $ 23 million in sales revenue.
o	Established a professional Customer Service function and introduced formal and structured customer feedback both immediately after sale, and one year after purchase – using the feedback to shape customer practices and boat design.
o	Initiated and negotiated a JV with a small boat company to broaden the product offering – extending the range from 14’ plastic sail boats all the way up to 50’ sail boats. 
o	Led the development of a new 35’ boat winning ‘Cruising World’s” coveted "Best Value Boat under 40'" and “Boat of the Year.”
?	Built 300 of the new boats (Hunter 356) in 12 months - the most successful boat in history of the company with $38 million in sales. 
?	Boat concept and design were driven and shaped by customer feedback mechanisms introduced earlier.
o	Exceeded sales goals by 5% to 16% every year until 2009 model year ending July 2009, while managing within the sales/marketing budget. 
o	Recruited, trained and mentored the sales, marketing and customer service teams – and mentored their performance by introduction of KPIs.
?	Promoted to President in 2009 and, when the global market went into a precipitate decline in 2010, was appointed by the board of the holding companies (all controlled by the Luhrs brothers) as Treasurer and Chief Restructuring Officer to manage the business through restructuring and divestiture of Hunter Marine and related assets. 
o	Maintained cash neutrality despite steep market decline – downsizing the workforce from 425 to 80 while transitioning the business into new ownership. 
o	Successfully negotiated the buy-out of a small boat JV and merged into the Hunter line. 
o	Personally negotiated a highly successful OEM manufacturing agreement for a complementary product to increase sales by $11 million and significantly increase marginal profits
o	Added a power boat product to product offering and managed its manufacture. 
o	Increased labor efficiency by 8% and reducing WIP by 14% by adopting a modular build process. 
o	Negotiated revised agreement and signed contract with Sailtime, a new company started to capitalize on the advent of shared usage of sailboats. Sales results continue from the 100 boats referenced below to over 155 boats today.

Director of Sales & Marketing, Vice-President, President

Find out detailed information about John Peterson,  in Gainesville, FL

John Peterson: in Gainesville, FL

John Peterson

Hunter Marine Coporation

Golden Gate University