Riviera CEO since the management buyout in 2002, Wes Moxey, has announced his retirement following Riviera's strong result at the 2008 Sydney International Boat Show and the overwhelming successful launch of the company’s new flagship 70 Enclosed Flybridge.
The outgoing CEO said, “After 26 wonderful years with Riviera, it’s time to take a break. My family have been totally supportive of me in my career at Riviera and now it is my turn to give them time.
"I am unashamedly proud of our brand and market position in 2008. Even in a challenging market, Riviera is the big boat brand of choice. People trust Riviera and depend on our unique 24/7 owner support and service. The business today is in very safe hands and this gives me great comfort to step away."
“We achieved sales of 25 boats at Sydney over the six-day show. When you combine this sales result and those of the 2008 Sanctuary Cove Show held just two months ago, the value of sales for the two shows exceeded $73 million. That’s a remarkable performance given the current market.
“Reaction to our new 70 has been overwhelmingly positive. I share our design and manufacturing team’s passion for this boat being the largest we have built in our 28 year history. It’s the realisation of my dreams.
“Having reached these significant highlights, I feel that I can hand over the reins to industry veteran John Anderson to help take Riviera to a new set of milestones,” concluded Mr Moxey.
John Anderson has been appointed CEO at Riviera.
“We would like to publicly thank Wes for his great contribution to Riviera and wish him well in his retirement. We know he will remain a long-term advocate and friend of Riviera,” said John on behalf of the staff, management and Board of Directors.
John joined Riviera in March 2007 as Director of Operations of the company’s 14-hectare manufacturing facility on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Prior to joining Riviera, he served for nine years as President of American boat builder Four Winns.
“I knew Riviera back then because we were importing Riviera’s Excalibur sport boats,” he said. “I got to know Wes quite well. And I liked what I saw from the beginning.”
John has another strong connection with Riviera through Mike Scruggs, President of the company’s Americas subsidiary, Riviera Yachts of the Americas. Mike Scruggs was part of the senior management team at Genmar, a giant boating organisation that bought Four Winns in 2000. The two men immediately gained a mutual respect. So when John left Four Winns in 2006, he turned to Mike Scruggs for advice.
“I had a checklist of the company I wanted to work for,” says John.
“First, I wanted to work for a company I could respect. Tick one for Riviera.
“Next I needed to love the style and size of boat the company produces. I love big boats and Riviera builds them very well. Tick two.
“I had to have a passion for the product. Tick three for Riviera.
“Finally, I had to see an opportunity to work with the team to grow the business, to be an integral part of that growth. This would be my last employer before I retire. I’m here for the long haul. And I am very excited.”
The second key announcement by Riviera this week is the appointment of Les Galbraith as Managing Director of R Marine, Riviera’s retail dealer network, which now spans 13 locations within the region.
Mr Galbraith takes over the role from founding Managing Director Tim Sayer. Tim will undertake an Advanced Management Degree at Harvard University in the US over the next two months before returning to take up a senior strategic role within Riviera.
John Anderson said that Tim Sayer had performed an outstanding task to bring the R Marine network together.
“He has brought a group of independent business people together to create the largest and best integrated boating network in Australia,” said John. “R Marine today is one of the premier boating retail organisations in the world.”
Les Galbraith comes to R Marine from Travelscene American Express where he was General Manager.
Les brings to R Marine a passion for delivering lifestyle options for clients around Australia. His other great passion is boating.
