Smoker Craft has announced a new chapter and leadership transition following the retirement of Doug Smoker, company president and CEO.
The family boat building business has expanded our executive team to support continued growth, strengthen its dealer network, and build on its family-owned legacy.
Peter Barrett has now taken on the role of chief executive officer and Phil Smoker is the new company president.
Krista Sparkes is Smoker Craft’s vice president of sales, North America, Garrett Cannizzo is the chief financial officer and Josh Drudge is chief operating officer.
Fourth generation boat builder
Doug, a recipient of the NMMA Hall of Fame award in 2022, joined the business in 1972 as a fourth generation boat builder and played an integral role in the success and evolution of the company.
During his 55-year career in the recreational boat business, grew the business to more than 900 employees producing around 20,000 boats a year, sold around the world.
Smoker Craft’s boat segments include pontoons, aluminum fishing boats and fibreglass boats, under the Smoker Craft, Starcraft, Sylvan, Starweld and Sunchaser brands.
Doug led the company through various acquisitions, expansions, recessions, a global financial crisis and the Covid pandemic.
Growth in sales volumes
Throughout his tenure at the helm, the company has seen growth in sales volumes, expanded product lines, developed new products and nearly doubled the size of its manufacturing complex together with building a worldwide dealer distribution network.
Doug’s contributions to the success of Smoker Craft include multiple design and engineering innovations and included taking a direct role in the development of the company’s Hydro-Lift reverse-chine hull which is still used in the aluminum fishing boat production.
He also oversaw multiple facility expansions, including a second factory established in the Pacific Northwest.
Outside of Smoker Craft, Doug has served on the NMMA and Grow Boating boards as well as on various committees.
Investing in people and products
Doug was the chairperson of the Boat Manufacturers Division board from 2018 to 2020 and served on the NMMA executive committee from 2018 to 2022.
During his time at the helm, he met with elected officials on behalf of the entire boating industry, including former vice president, Mike Pence, and former secretary of commerce, Wilbur Ross.
He has also been a supporter of the BoatPAC political action committee which allowed Smoker Craft to receive the inaugural Advocacy of the Year award.
“With five generations of family leadership and a strong foundation behind us, we’re excited for what’s ahead as we continue investing in our people, our products, and the future of Smoker Craft, Inc,” said Smoker Craft in a statement.
The company was founded in 1921 by John Smoker in New Paris, Indiana, as a lumber company and gradually evolved from its lumber origins, venturing into boat manufacturing.
The company first began producing aluminium fishing boats in the 1960s.
