PHOTO COURTESY OF CRUISERS YACHTS
Ken Hayes started his career as a boat assembler with Cruisers Yachts right out of high school on September 27, 1971. Over the next 51 years with the company, he progressed up the ladder to fill roles in management from production to CS & Parts, Quality & CSM, Sales, and Customer Service Manager Quality Control. Named Director of Customer Service in 2005, he filled that role for 17 years, helping to improve the company and provide exceptional product and service.
“It was an honor to watch the company’s growth unfold right before my eyes during my time here and seeing all the success that followed,” says Hayes. “But the thing I loved the most about working at Cruisers for so long was the people. Getting to work with all the thousands of amazing individuals within Cruisers was a blessing that I will cherish forever.”
Hayes led the service department for the last 32 years of his career, was heavily involved with Cruisers Yachts’ Rampage line, and traveled the world working with customers and dealers.
“Ken impacted Cruisers Yachts in so many ways during his time here, especially by implementing an inspection program in the mid-’70s that helped provide us with the high-quality boats we have today,” adds Mark Pendersen, Cruisers Yachts president. “He will be greatly missed, but we are so thankful for all the time and effort Ken has given to making Cruisers what it is today. His positivity and passion for the product and customers were infectious. He always made sure to do what was right for them. I think this is a true testament to our values here at Cruisers. Showing how family oriented we are and want to make sure that our team members are passionate and proud of the work they are doing and can see themselves growing with us.”
Hayes is spending his retirement fixing up his 1966 Chevy Chevelle, enjoying time around the house with his loved ones, spending more time with his 97-year-old mother and continuing to enjoy his time out on the water.
