Correct Craft president returns to Brunswick

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After less than two years as president of ski and wakeboard manufacturer Correct Craft, Terry McNew, 44, is resigning his position to return to Sea Ray Corp. – where he has spent the majority of his career.

McNew will serve Sea Ray as senior vice president of Product Development and Engineering, beginning in the latter part of May, according to Brunswick Corp., Sea Ray’s parent firm.

Whether it is a coincidence that this top executive is returning to Brunswick at the end of its campaign to “fill in the white space” with only one category – ski and wakeboard boats – left to be filled remains to be seen.

McNew, with more than 20 years at Sea Ray under his belt, will report to Sea Ray President Richard C. Stone.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome Terry McNew back to Sea Ray,” Stone said. “Terry began his marine career at our PD&E facility in Merritt Island, Fla., and steadily progressed through several key manufacturing roles before ultimately assuming the position of Sea Ray vice president – manufacturing in 2001. Terry’s marine experience, executive management capabilities, and seasoned insight will help ensure Sea Ray continues to bring superior products to the market and that we will continue to solidify our position as a leader in the pleasure boating segment.”

McNew will be based in Merritt Island, where he will work closely with Gary W. Zimmer, 54, who most recently had been the vice president at PD&E. Zimmer will put that experience to good use, Stone explained, as he returns to the position of vice president – quality and manufacturing technology, a role for which Sea Ray recruited Zimmer in 2004. Zimmer, too, will be based at Merritt Island and report directly to Stone.

“Gary’s experience at PD&E over that time will be of great value to him and our organization as he leads Sea Ray’s quality and manufacturing technology initiatives,” Stone said. “He will work closely with Terry and the entire PD&E organization, as well as the manufacturing side of our business, to accomplish our quality and manufacturing technology objectives and ensure the highest standards are being maintained throughout our manufacturing processes.”

Short, but sweet, suggests Correct Craft

Interestingly enough, Correct Craft doesn’t appear bitter. In fact, the company seems to genuinely appreciate all that McNew brought to the company during his short tenure.

Among his accomplishments at Correct Craft was the design and construction of its new 217,000-square-foot World Headquarters, which is scheduled to open in June and includes corporate offices, manufacturing, research and development and engineering operations.

“Terry is gifted in many disciplines as well as being a great people person,” said Ken Meloon, Correct Craft’s chairman of the board. “He has assembled a strong leadership team that is capable of taking Correct Craft to even greater levels of success. He is a wonderful Christian man and his leadership during this time of transition was God sent.”

According to Walt Meloon, former President/CEO (retired) and current executive committee chairman, “Terry brought a systematic approach to our manufacturing and development processes which has made us a stronger company. He has put the processes and people in place that will ensure our next 81 years in business are even more successful.”

Meanwhile, Correct Craft has hired Lovett & Lovett Associates of Dayton, Ohio to conduct an executive search for a successor.

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