Brunswick names Cecil Cohn to head Brunswick Financial Services
Brunswick Corp. has appointed Cecil Cohn to lead Brunswick Financial Services effective May 2.
Currently president of the Crestliner boat brand, Cohn succeeds Scott Ward, who recently was named senior vice president and general manager of Sea Ray sport yacht and yachts. In his new position, Cohn will report to Brunswick senior vice president and CFO Bill Metzger.
BFS and its affiliates provide secured wholesale inventory floorplan financing to Brunswick boat and engine dealers in the U.S., through a joint venture with Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance. BFS also provides marine dealers and original equipment manufacturers extended product warranties to sell to retail customers through its Brunswick Product Protection business, as well as retail financial services to marine dealers, through its Bluewater Finance business. Administration of Brunswick Dealer Advantage, which offers a broad range of dealer services designed to enhance the long-term profitability of Brunswick’s marine dealer partners, also will be led by Cohn.
“Cecil has a distinguished and comprehensive track record of experience and accomplishment within Brunswick’s boat operations, with a particular emphasis on supporting the dealer network’s efforts to connect with consumers and ensure their satisfaction,” Metzger said. “He is well suited and prepared to step into this important role.”
Since 2013, Cohn has led Crestliner, one of Brunswick’s most popular Freshwater brands. Before that assignment, Cohn had served for three years as vice president of marketing and sales support for Brunswick’s freshwater fishing boat and pontoon businesses. During that time, he had been instrumental in launching a lead generation and response program to help dealers to better capture sales as well as other significant marketing improvements.
Prior to his assignment to Brunswick’s Freshwater Group in 2010, Cohn had managed Bayliner’s inside sales and customer support operation, along with Bayliner’s supply chain function. Cohn first joined Brunswick in 2005, working in various strategic planning and business development roles for the Brunswick Boat Group.
Cohn earned an MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in Durham, N.C., and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Emory University in Atlanta.
Cohn’s replacement at Crestliner is expected to be named soon.