MIAMI BEACH - Yamaha Marine Group president Phil Dyskow announced Thursday he will retire May 1 from his position. Ben Speciale, vice president of planning and operations, will succeed him as president.
"These have been wonderfully rewarding years," Dyskow said in his announcement, made at the Miami International Boat Show. "My time as group president has been the most rewarding of all. I have had the opportunity to nurture and grow a business beyond the level that many had though possible."
Following his retirement, Dyskow will remain with the company as a senior advisor until Sept. 30 and will become an independent consultant to Yamaha Oct. 1.
Dyskow has been associated with Yamaha since 1975. He joined Yamaha Motor Corp. USA in 1981 as the first employee of the marine group and has served as president since 1997.
During his tenure, market share at Yamaha Marine Group has quadrupled, and customer satisfaction is among the highest in the outboard segment, the company said in a statement.
Speciale's career with Yamaha began in 1987 in marine parts and accessories, though his family's marina in Tennessee was one of Yamaha's first U.S. marine dealers. Through the years, Speciale has held various management positions with the company.
"Ben has unrelenting passion for this industry," Dyskow said. "I can't think of a better person to lead this organization into the future. My job going forward is to assure a very smooth transition over the months ahead."
Click here to watch Dyskow announce his retirement in a video posted on YouTube.com.
