Stephen Heese, president of Chris-Craft Boats and senior vice president of Winnebago Power Systems, and Rick Reyenger, strategic advisor and past president, Patrick Industries’ Marine group, have been inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame.
Heese and Reyenger were presented with the 2025 NMMA Hall of Fame Award during the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX)’s annual Industry Breakfast.
Hees’s marine and powersports career spans three-decades. A Tampa native, his passion for life on the water began early, with fishing, sailing, and water-skiing along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
He met his longtime business partner, Stephen Julius as he completed his MBA at Harvard Business School in 1988, and together they acquired and revitalised several brands.
Riva Yachts acquisition
In 1997 Julius entered the marine industry with the acquisition of Italian yacht builder Riva Yachts from Rolls-Royce.
The venture united the two partners and began a passion for boatbuilding that would shape the next chapter of their careers.
They sold Riva to the Ferretti Group in 1999, and in 2000, Heese and Julius purchased the assets of Chris-Craft Boats.
Under Heese’s leadership, Chris-Craft transformed from a struggling company, posting 11 consecutive years of losses into one of the top powerboat manufacturers in the country.
Portfolio expansion
He expanded the portfolio to five model series and headed investments in manufacturing facilities in Sarasota, Florida, most recently opening a new 70,000sqft plant in 2023 that added 200 jobs.
He also led the development of Chris-Craft’s first all-electric concept boat, the Launch 25 GTe, and expanded the brand’s international reach through partnerships in Asia.
Heese sold Chris-Craft to Winnebago Industries in 2018 and continues to serve as president and senior vice president of Winnebago Power Systems.
He also briefly served as interim president of Lithionics Battery after its acquisition in 2023.
Beyond Chris-Craft, Heese and Julius also revived Indian Motorcycle in 2004, before its sale to Polaris Industries in 2011.
Extraordinary revitalisation
“Steve has preserved and strengthened the heritage of one of the most iconic brands in marine history, while positioning it to be relevant with future generations,” said Michael Happe, president and CEO of Winnebago Industries.
“His revitalisation of the Chris-Craft brand has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his vision has continually elevated the standards of quality, design, and customer enjoyment in boating.
“In addition to being a tremendous friend to many in the boating world, he is both a steward of tradition and a pioneer of innovation, an enduring example of leadership that defines our industry.”
Heese is a director and past chairman of the NMMA board of directors and currently serves as chairman of Independent Boatbuilders, Inc. (IBBI), the world’s largest marine buying cooperative.
Saltwater growth phase
Reyenger has more than 40 years of leadership across the recreational boating industry, beginning his career at Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), where he rose to become president of OMC Canada and later led the Aluminum Boat Group.
He also held senior leadership roles at Boston Whaler during its IPO period, at Mako Marine International during its saltwater growth phase, and at Tracker Marine Group, where he oversaw the Astro, Fisher, and Procraft brands.
In 2000, Reyenger became CEO of Marine Accessories Corporation (MAC), where he began an acquisition and integration strategy that transformed MAC into a global supplier.
OEM and aftermarket solutions
Over nearly two decades, he acquired more than a dozen businesses and led innovation in both OEM and aftermarket solutions.
After MAC was solde to Patrick Industries in 2018, Reyenger advanced through senior roles and was named president of Patrick’s Marine Group in 2024, overseeing the company’s full marine portfolio. He now serves as strategic advisor to the Marine Group.
“Rick is a transformative leader who has left his mark on every part of the boating industry,” said Andy Nemeth, CEO of Patrick Industries.
Innovation and collaboration
“From guiding legendary OEM brands to building Marine Accessories Corporation into a powerhouse, his vision and integrity have elevated the standards of innovation and collaboration across the market.
“He has mentored countless leaders, advanced industry advocacy, and continues to set the benchmark for what leadership in our industry should be.”
Outside of Patrick Industries, Reyenger was a long-standing member of NMMA’s Marine Accessories & Components Division (MACD), and supports NMMA’s BoatPAC and played a role in strengthening quality and standardisation across OEM and aftermarket categories.
