Donzi Marine names new VP of sales

SARASOTA, Fla. — Marine industry veteran Craig Barrie has been named vice president of sales for Donzi Marine, the Sarasota-based builder of high-performance boats reported in a recent statement.

Barrie, 59, brings nearly 30 years of experience in the high performance powerboat industry to the job, according to Donzi.

“Perhaps best known as former president and CEO of Cigarette Racing Team, Barrie also enjoyed success as an offshore boat racer, winning world and national titles in Offshore Open and Superboat classes and competing in Formula One,” Donzi stated. “In 2003 Barrie founded Dragon Powerboats and since that time has produced custom, built-to-order performance boats at a facility in Melbourne, Fla.”

For the past four years, he has also been involved in retail sales at FastBoats.com, a Pompano Beach, Fla.-based retailer of high-performance boats and one of Donzi’s largest dealers, the company added.

“Craig’s long-time relationship with Cigarette and his work at Dragon are invaluable in the premium high performance boat field,” said Lee Kimmell, CEO of Donzi’s parent company, American Marine Holdings. “As importantly, Craig has his finger on the pulse of the retail market today, particularly as it applies to the Donzi buyer. His encyclopedic knowledge of the marketplace, specifically as it relates to our brand and positioning, is of paramount importance to us.”

From 1984 to 1992, Barrie was vice president of sales and marketing for Cigarette. He became president and CEO in 1992 and continued in that position until 1999. During his time at Cigarette, he established the dealer network and international marketing plan. He was also involved in the design of several boat models including the 35’ Café Racer, 38’ Top Gun and 42’ Tiger, all of which became top sellers in the high-performance world, according to Donzi.

He also owned and was president of Hawk Marine Power, a high-performance engine builder. Hawk became the first engine builder to launch superchargers into a successful marine application, Donzi reported.

“This is far more than an executive changing brands,” said Josh Stickles, Donzi’s vice president of marketing. “Craig has an across-the-board wealth of experience in sales on both the manufacturer and retail level, he’s been a custom builder, he has acquired and set up dealers and he is a born boat salesman.”

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