Brad Zoelle has been appointed President of Boston Whaler, Brunswick Boat Group has confirmed. Zoelle steps into the role from his position as General Manager of Mercury Marine APAC, succeeding Lenn Scholz, who is departing the company to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Zoelle's career within the Brunswick portfolio has spanned senior positions at both Mercury Marine and Sea Ray, with each role producing tangible commercial results. At Mercury Marine APAC, he spearheaded international market expansion and delivered substantial growth across the propulsion and parts and accessories segments. His tenure at Sea Ray included steering the launch of flagship models, among them the SLX-R 400e, which earned recognition at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show, along with a central contribution to Sea Ray's broader rebranding strategy. That work covered the successful market introduction of the Fathom system and the portfolio expansion that brought the Sundancer 370 to market.
Beyond his Brunswick responsibilities, Zoelle has been active in the wider marine industry. He served on the board of the Outboard Engine Distributors Association in Australia, holding the chairmanship for the past two years, advocating for outboard manufacturers and helping to shape market standards.
As Boston Whaler's new president, Zoelle will have oversight of the brand's strategic vision, product innovation, operations, and commercial execution, building on a legacy defined by relentless innovation, uncompromising quality, and deep customer loyalty.
"I am honored to lead a brand with such a strong legacy and devoted customer base," Zoelle said. "For more than half a century, Boston Whaler has set the standard in our industry, earning its reputation through relentless innovation, uncompromising quality, and an unwavering focus on what customers love about being on the water. I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional team to build upon that foundation, accelerate growth, deliver world-class products, and shape what's next for this iconic brand."
Brunswick also confirmed the appointment of Jerry Newton as Vice President of Operations for Boston Whaler. Newton brings 25 years of operational expertise to the role, having most recently served as President of Brunswick's Venture Boat Group for the past two years, and with 15 years of operational leadership at John Deere before that. His appointment further reinforces the brand's commitment to quality, operational excellence, and innovation as Boston Whaler moves into its next phase of growth.
Brenna Preisser, Brunswick Boat Group president, outlined the thinking behind both decisions. "Brad's impressive track record across multiple brands at Brunswick and his deep understanding of our industry make him the right leader for Boston Whaler's next phase of growth," she said. "We've been strategically positioning Boston Whaler for success: streamlining operations at the Edgewater campus and making meaningful investments in product development. The brand has exceptional market positioning and a strong foundation to build from. Together, Brad and Jerry bring the leadership depth and experience to ensure Boston Whaler is well-positioned for continued success."
Preisser also paid tribute to the outgoing president. "We also want to recognize Lenn Scholz for his many years of dedicated service to Brunswick," she said. "Lenn made meaningful contributions across several important roles, including VP of Product Development & Engineering for Boat Group, President of Lund Boats, and President of Boston Whaler, and leaves behind a strong foundation for this brand. We're grateful for everything he brought to this organization and wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
Brunswick Boat Group is a division of Brunswick Corporation, which trades on the NYSE under the ticker BC. The company describes itself as the global leader in marine recreation, operating more than 60 brands across propulsion, parts and accessories, boats, and marine services. Propulsion brands include Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing, MerCruiser, and Flite. The parts, accessories, and technology segment covers Mercury Parts & Accessories, Land 'N' Sea, Lowrance, Simrad, B&G, Mastervolt, Attwood, and Whale. The boat portfolio includes Boston Whaler, Lund, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Harris Pontoons, Princecraft, and Quicksilver, while service and shared-access operations encompass Freedom Boat Club, Boateka, and a range of financing, insurance, and extended warranty businesses. Headquartered in Mettawa, IL, Brunswick employs approximately 15,000 people across 26 countries. In 2025, Forbes Magazine named the company among America's Most Trusted Companies, and it won more than 100 awards across the enterprise for the fourth consecutive year.
