Boston Whaler appoints new president

Kris Neff is replacing Nick Stickler as president of Boston Whaler. Stickler moves to a new role as vice president, category management and strategic planning for Mercury Marine.

In his new role, Neff will report to Aine Denari. Having joined Brunswick in 2005 he has worked within the Brunswick Boat Group, Attwood, and Mercury in category leadership, operational, and business development roles before moving to Life Fitness to lead global operations, M&A, and as integration lead and president of Cybex.

Neff rejoined Mercury in 2017, moving into his most recent role as vice president category management and strategic planning. Under his direction, Mercury launched some of its most innovative products including the February 2021 launch of the 600hp V12 Verado as well as the 1st Mate Safety System, which won multiple CES Innovation Awards. Neff started his career with Ford Motor Company as a manufacturing engineer, before joining Brunswick. 

Nick Stickler has been named vice president, category management and strategic planning, Mercury Marine, reporting to Chris Drees. Stickler also joined Brunswick in 2005, in its Bowling & Billiards division, advancing through the organisation in a variety of strategy and business development roles before being named vice president and general manager, bowling consumer & aftermarket products. He later transitioned to the Brunswick Boat Group where he was promoted to president of Fort Wayne Operations and subsequently assumed his current role as president of Boston Whaler. 

Stickler has guided Whaler through a time of incredible growth both in product portfolio and capacity, including with the recent re-opening of the Flagler facility which is adding further capacity to meet record customer demand. 

Stickler also started his career with Ford Motor Company as a powertrain design engineer before joining Brunswick in 2005.