Brunswick Boat Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), have just announced the appointment of Brad Zoelle as President of Boston Whaler. Zoelle, who most recently served as General Manager of Mercury Marine APAC, succeeds Lenn Scholz, who is pursuing new opportunities outside the Company.
Zoelle brings a proven record of strategic leadership and commercial impact across the Brunswick portfolio through a series of high-impact roles at Mercury Marine and Sea Ray. Most recently as General Manager of Mercury Marine APAC, he spearheaded international market expansion and drove significant growth across the propulsion and P&A segments. His strategic leadership extended to Sea Ray, where he drove the launch of flagship models like the SLX-R 400e earning recognition at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and played a central role in the Sea Ray rebranding strategy, including the successful market introduction of the Fathom system and the portfolio expansion with the Sundancer 370. Zoelle’s commitment to advancing the marine industry is further reflected in his participation on the board of the Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA) in Australia, serving as its Chairman for the past two years, advocating for outboard manufacturers and setting market standards.
In his new role, Zoelle will lead Boston Whaler’s strategic vision, product innovation, operations, and drive commercial execution, building on the brand’s legacy defined by relentless innovation, uncompromising quality, and deep customer loyalty.
“I am honoured to lead a brand with such a strong legacy and devoted customer base,” said Zoelle. “For more than half a century, Boston Whaler has set the standard in our industry, earning its reputation through relentless innovation, uncompromising quality, and an unwavering focus on what customers love about being on the water. I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional team to build upon that foundation, accelerate growth, deliver world-class products, and shape what’s next for this iconic brand.”
Brunswick also announced the appointment of Jerry Newton as Vice President of Operations for Boston Whaler. Newton brings 25 years of operational expertise, including the past two years as President of Brunswick’s Venture Boat Group and 15 years in operational leadership positions at John Deere. His appointment further reinforces Boston Whaler’s commitment to quality, operational excellence, and innovation as the brand enters its next phase of growth.
“Brad’s impressive track record across multiple brands at Brunswick and his deep understanding of our industry make him the right leader for Boston Whaler’s next phase of growth,” said Brenna Preisser, Brunswick Boat Group president. “We’ve been strategically positioning Boston Whaler for success: streamlining operations at the Edgewater campus and making meaningful investments in product development. The brand has exceptional market positioning and a strong foundation to build from. Together, Brad and Jerry bring the leadership depth and experience to ensure Boston Whaler is well-positioned for continued success.”
Preisser added, “We also want to recognise Lenn Scholz for his many years of dedicated service to Brunswick. Lenn made meaningful contributions across several important roles, including VP of Product Development & Engineering for Boat Group, President of Lund Boats, and President of Boston Whaler, and leaves behind a strong foundation for this brand. We’re grateful for everything he brought to this organisation and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
