“The dealership continues to grow and create opportunities for its team members, recognizing that they are the people who truly make any company excel. Simply put, even as Gordy’s celebrated its 60th year in business, they just continue to get better,” said Boating Industry Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Sweet. “After achieving Dealer of the Year honors the first time, Gordy’s followed that up with a record year for sales and profits.”
The Whowell family, including Tom and Steele Whowell, Rallee Chupich and key members of the dealership team, were on hand to accept the award in front of an exclusive gathering of the boating industry elite held in conjunction with the Marine Retailers Expo & Conference in Orlando, Florida.
“On behalf of the Whowell family, we are honored and humbled to have been recognized by Boating Industry as its 2015 Dealer of the Year,” said Steele Whowell, owner and director of marina operations. “This award would not be possible without our team, who works so very hard every day to take care of our customers. In addition, we especially appreciate the amazing partnership we enjoy with MasterCraft and Cobalt Boats, whose boat quality is only matched by the quality of their people, as well as the support we receive from both our Cobalt and MasterCraft 20 Groups, who collectively challenge, motivate and inspire us to be the very best we can be.”
Begun in 1955 by Gordon “Gordy” Whowell on the west shore of Geneva Lake as a boat rental operation, Gordy’s has since become a nationally recognized retail leader and a highly diversified dealership. The Gordy’s umbrella sports a full-service marina and storage facility; a new and used boat sales division featuring Cobalt Boats, MasterCraft and Marker One; boat rentals; a ski and wakeboard school with specialty pro shop and a signature “Gordy Gear” line; plus the popular Boat House Bar & Restaurant and Cobalt Lounge and Surf Shack seasonal grill and deli.
Besides the Dealer of the Year distinction, Gordy’s has set the standard in the niches it represents, and is a marine industry certified dealership. A sampling of highlights include winning the 2014 Dealer of the Year, 2013 Boating Industry #1 Ranking for Best Customer Service in North America and 2012 Boating Industry #1 Ranking for Service; 2015, 2014 and 2013 #1 Customer Service Worldwide Award for Cobalt Boats; Top Ten Dealer Award and Cobalt Platinum Dealer Award; and multi-year top Customer Satisfaction Service Index of 98 – 100% from Mercury Marine. In 2010, the Whowell family was named “Wisconsin Family Business of the Year.”
“We’re looking forward to sharing this victory with our team and know each and every member of the Gordy’s family will take great pride, as we do, in receiving this special recognition,” said Tom Whowell. “In addition, we plan to thank all of our customers who have made our success possible and appreciate the opportunity we’ve had over many years to service their boating needs and earn their business.”
