Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/834717
22 | Boating Industry | July 2017 [ 40 Under 40 ] www.BoatingIndustry.com in my life who I've known long before I began working in the boating industry. His perspective helps keep me focused not simply on whatever end goal I have, but on primarily on enjoying the journey to get there. West Marine's Director of B2B ecommerce is someone I lean on regularly for advice. He worked for much of his career in sales and as a VP with OMC. As West Marine's founder, Randy Repass cannot help but be an influence on my career. John Buller currently leads the Loyalty Solu- tions Group, a consulting firm working to help build dynamic team culture. John and I worked together on a number of projects and he is a guiding force in my thinking around team build- ing, leadership, and building strong partnerships to benefit customers. JESSE DAVIS District sales manager, Legend Boats What accomplishment are you most proud of? When I look at the growth of Legend Boats over the past decade I have been here, you can't help but be proud of the part you have played in this growth. We have a great team of people, and a fantastic group of dealers I work with everyday. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Aside from boating activities, I love attempting to stay active. I play a variety of sports, and try to keep active getting all the boat show weight gained back off! What is your favorite place to go boating? Our country is absolutely beautiful, and although it is nice to find a private lake with no one around, it is hard to beat spending the day on Lake Mus- koka, fishing, sight seeing and having the option to go dock and grab some lunch before heading back out on a second afternoon shift. What boat did you learn to boat on? My father had a 16-foot Princecraft with a 40 Johnson. I can still remember being pretty young and out camping, I was bugging him to go out when he handed me the keys and said take it yourself. Who was your hero as a child? I might not have known it at the time, but now as a father of two, it is hard not to look back at my parents raising three kids, and the work ethic they had and instilled on me, not to point to them as a hero. BEN DORTON Product manager, Bayliner/Heyday Wake Boats, Brunswick Corp. What was your first job? I worked at MasterCraft Boat Company implementing lean manufacturing practices with a concentration in 5S in the engineering department. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Co-founding Heyday Wake Boats a brand that is bringing affordability to the tow boat segment. What are some of your favorite non-boating hobbies? Hard one here … I spend the little free time I have on a bass boat or tow boat. I like duck hunt- ing but I have a boat for that as well! What is your favorite place to go boating? Lake Loudon, that is part of the Tennessee River. I have been wakeboarding and fishing here since I was six years old. What boat did you learn to boat on? A Ranger bass boat that my father let me drive when we were bass fishing. Who was your hero as child? My father John Dorton and still is. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? Zane Swank, a pro wakeboarder who had a very successful career in marketing and sales in the tow boat segment was always kind teach me about how to present product at both whole sale and retail levels. CORY DUGGER Vice president of engineering, Malibu Boats What first drew you to the industry? My passion began when a new friend introduced me to wakeboarding in 1996, my freshman year in college. I was hooked and tried every way possible to spend evenings and weekends wakeboarding. What was your first job? My first job was as a manufacturing engineer for MasterCraft Boat Company. What is your favorite place to go boating? Dale Hollow Lake, I have spent two or three long weekends on a houseboat there every sum- mer for the last 20 years. What boat did you learn to boat on? The first tow boat I learned to drive was a 1997 Malibu SunSetter LX. Did you have any key mentors or influences in your career? I would have to say one key influence was my parents. As far back as I can remember, they were great examples of working hard and always encouraged me to find a career doing something I enjoy. Another key influence is my best friend, Ryan Lewis. He introduced me to wakeboarding over 20 years ago and the possibilities of a career in the boating industry. A key mentor would have to be Ritchie Anderson, Malibu's COO. I have worked for Ritchie over 15 years and he has set the example for excellence, loyalty, integ- rity and boatbuilding knowledge.