Brett Thurley

Brett has dedicated his life to the watersports and marine industry. His initial foray into the marine business world as a Professional Water Skier quickly saw him aligned with the world’s premier waterski and ski boat companies as a sponsored athlete and promotional representative in the USA in 1983 through 1995. His career culminated in winning the 1993 World Slalom Championship, the first and only Australian male to win the title. On retirement from professional sport in 1995 he transitioned his boat show and dealer liaison experience into a National Sales Manager role for Tige Ski Boats in the USA which he left in 2003, as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and partner, growing the company to over 1100 boats annually at it's peak and 70 dealers worldwide. His return to Australia saw him at Riviera as Director of Global Distribution, reporting to CEO Wes Moxey, from 2004 to 2006 including rationalising the Australian distribution network, directing Customer Service, Technical Support and Warranty. In 2006 Brett created a stand alone dealership in partnership with Riviera/R Marine to be the only stand alone Princess Dealer principal in the Australasian network and was awarded "Princess Dealer of the Year" in 2007 for R Marine while also being awarded the Grand Banks dealership rights for Queensland in 2008 and ended in 2009 as the highest selling Grand Banks dealership worldwide for 2009 FY.    

Career Highlights:

1981 to 1995 Professional Slalom Skier

Ranked in Worlds Top Ten Slalom Skiers from 1985 to 1995 on US Pro Tour
World's fourth ranked professional slalom skier in 1990
Twice Moomba Masters Slalom Champion 1983 and 1995
Australian Waterski Team representative from 1982 until 1995
Won every major professional tournament worldwide once (except US Masters)
Salaried athlete with companies Connelly USA, Jobe USA, HO Sports USA, Bare Wetsuits and Tige Boats USA.
Annual US boat show attendances with retail dealers to assist in retail sales and client interaction.
Lived in Orlando, Florida 8 months each year
 
1985 - 1990 Created Masterline MFG - now Australia's largest waterski accessories manufacturer

Sourced and designed waterski gloves, ropes, packaging, covers, ropes from USA and Asia
Set up dealer network in Australia and New Zealand
Ongoing role directing sales and product development
Sold 50% share to partner Mick Neville in 1989

1991 to 1995 The Waterski Resort - Owner

180-acre waterfront property with 50 square renovated Queenslander in Bundaberg
Hosted international and Australian guests for luxury waterski vacations including chef, personalised instruction and accommodation
 
1995 to 2003 Vice President Sales and Marketing - Tige Boats USA – www.tige.com.au

Hired as National Sales Manager with 18 dealers and 260 boats per year sold - 10th in market share worldwide
1997 promoted to vice President and became part owner/ partner
2000 sales of 1166 units to become fourth largest ski boat builder worldwide
2003 Grew dealer network to over 70 dealers worldwide including licensed manufacturer in Australia
Oversaw global sales, marketing, customer service and warranty
Managed all boat tests, photo shoots, DVD shooting and production, website creation, dealer programs, boat show support, dealer terminations, new product development, new graphics.
Worked and attended over 300 retail boat shows, open houses and dealer events
Personally retailed over 30 boats annually on behalf of factory
Liaised with all magazines for advertising and editorial copy.
Created and launched www.tigeowners.com Owner website and Forum

2004 to 2006 Global Director of Distribution - The Riviera Group

Originally hired to work with Lee Dillon to create Riviera Retail network including rationalising company owned dealerships
2005 Promoted to Director of group after Lee Dillon's departure
Added new dealers in Australia and Asia and terminated non performing dealers
Created Decor, Merchandise, Spare Parts and Owner Care departments and business units
Oversaw record global sales in 2005/6 of 360 units annually
Created Owner Care Department to manage customer service, tech support and warranty processes
Initiated developed and implemented "Riviera Assist" 24/7 on water concierge and breakdown support service. Only manufacturer in Southern hemisphere to have the program
Oversaw corporate staffing and attendance for Sanctuary Cove and Sydney Boat shows
Implemented dealer sales training and "Reconnect Strategy" to drive retail dealerships outbound sales and contact activity with Peter Mc Keon
Implemented Owner Database management at Riviera corporate in ACT including retroactive capturing of previous owners
Implemented monthly owners colour email newsletter
Implemented new owner registration program online with corporate gift after handover
Implemented dealer training for handover standards
Ran regular Australasian Dealer Meetings including Dealer Awards program
Travelled to Asia, USA and Europe to audit and assist dealers and open new dealerships
Monthly board reporting to Riviera owners and directors including oral presentations
 
2006 to 2009 R Marine Motoryachts - Dealer Principal

Exclusive Princess and Grand Banks retailer in Queensland 
Partnered with Riviera in company owned dealership
2007 Princess Dealer of the Year R Marine Network 
2007 Awarded Grand Banks Franchise   
2009 Number 1 Retailer of Grand Banks worldwide in 2009 FY
Created all advertising, events, marketing and negotiated every vessel sold
Liaised with Princess and Grand Banks factories and management
Oversaw all customer service, warranty and commissioning
Responsible for sales of over $60 m in dealership
New Princess Sales – 15 units $33.2m
New Grand Banks Sales – 7 units $16m
Pre owned Princess – 5 units $6.5m
Other brands pre owned – 7 units $3.5m
Created Princess Island Escape at Hamilton Island - owner event over 4 days
Created Princess Safari for 9 boats from Gold Coast to Hamilton Island - 6 day event
Created Grand Banks Regatta to Fraser Island - 10-day event with 11 boats
Monthly colour email newsletter "Speed of Life"
Quarterly hard copy colour newsletter
Multiple DVD's edited and distributed to clients of all events
Database of over 1,000 prospects
Partnered with Bentley
Partnered with Breitling watches
Partnered with Moet - Hennessy including exclusive Dom Perignon partnership

Specialised Skills:

Wholesale dealer development including dealer performance auditing, termination and new dealer signing
Retail selling experience working over 360 boat shows including small boats and luxury motoryachts
Advertising and Marketing including web development, print advertising, copy writing, email newsletters and DVD editing and production.
Public Speaking including headlining retail events and dealer conferences.
Sales motivation, development and support for salespersons and dealerships
Competent handling of vessels up to 75 feet
Comfortable engaging with high net worth individuals and corporations
Dispute resolution including warranty and customer service systems and processes
Complete brand building strategies for new products and turnarounds
Event management for retail and wholesale events, shows, product releases and on water client rendezvous'
Competent in on water vessel photo shoots including lifestyle and running footage
Able to hire, train and manage a team while building a motivated and customer-centric culture

Interests:

Boating, dogs, cars, tennis, AFL Football, music, BBQing, travelling.