FREEDOM BOAT CLUB - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Business Development
- Vice President, Fleet and Franchise Development
Barry Slade is Vice President of Business Development for Freedom Boat Club and brings a wealth of senior level experience to this position.
He is directly responsible for expanding the Freedom Boat Club franchise network internationally, a task he is well suited to handle after directing and managing global sales and marketing activities for several leading boat brands.
Barry also is point on new marina acquisition initiatives, drawing from previous experience as COO for a marine management company.
Cecil Cohn is our President in Mettawa, Illinois and has been since October 2020. Mr. Cohn previously served as our Chairman in Mettawa, Illinois, from May 2019 until October 2020. In Mr. Cohn's current capacity as President, Boating Services at Brunswick Corporation in Mettawa, Illinois, he also serves as President for Freedom Outdoor Delaware, LLC, Freedom Boat Club, LLC and Freedom Marine Sales, LLC, in Mettawa, Illinois and has done so since October 2020. Previously, Mr. Cohn served as Chairman of those same entities from May 2019 until October 2020. Mr. Cohn joined Brunswick Corporation in July 2006, serving in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as President for Crestliner Boats in Otsego, Minnesota from April 2013 to April 2016 and as Vice President, Brunswick Financial Services Corporation in Mettawa, Illinois from April 2016 to present.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director - Strategic Initiatives
John Giglio, the former president & CEO of Freedom Boat Club, today serves as a executive director focused on a number of strategic initiatives for Freedom Boat Club.
A business graduate of Florida Southern College with an MBA from the University of South Florida, John was part owner of a 20-chain auto body repair firm prior to joining Freedom Boat Club in 2004 as operations manager for its corporate-owned stores, a post he held for three years. He was promoted to sales manager, and within six months, was named director of sales and operations. He and his former partner purchased the company in 2011 and John was named president of Freedom Boat Club LLC. Just a little more than a year later, in May 2012, he bought out his partner and became president and CEO, with direct responsibility for all franchise and corporate operations. He maintained this role until the end of 2020 when he transitioned into his current role with the company.
Under Mr. Giglio's watchful eye and passionate leadership, coupled with a committed crew of entrepreneurial-driven franchise owners, Freedom Boat Club is thriving. Today, more than 50,000 boaters call Freedom Boat Club "home," with hundreds of locations in the US, Canada, and Europe with franchise operations situated coast-to-coast, and growing daily.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Freedom Franchise Systems, LLC
Louis Chemi is Freedom Boat Club's Vice President, responsible for the franchise portion of the FBC business.
In this capacity, Louis works closely with the corporate leadership team to lead Freedom Boat Club globally. His focus will be on market expansion and membership growth within the franchised locations.
Louis, who presently serves on the boards of the American Sportfishing Association and Grow Boating, brings global marine expertise from more than two decades at senior management posts for leading industry manufacturers, most recently including a 10-year stint at Navico, Inc.
Martha "Marti" Wagley serves as Training Manager for Freedom Boat Club's corporate clubs throughout Southwest Florida. In this capacity, Marti is responsible for recruitment and training of 25+ trainers, a job she is well qualified to manage. Marti has been with Freedom Boat Club since 2007 and in her tenure, has trained somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 members. With a 100-ton US Coast Guard Masters License and years of boating experience under her belt, Marty brings plenty of experience and a boat load of enthusiasm to her job.
On a personal front, Marti is a passionate scuba diver and a PADI certified master diver/instructor who has managed shops and trained divers in exotic ports of call including Maui and several venues throughout the Caribbean. She's also a former body builder and motorcycle owner/enthusiast. Her favorite role, however, is spending time with her daughter and grandkids, including the latest family production … her first great grandson!
Nic Thomas joined the Freedom Boat Club team in November of 2014 and is currently the Director of Club Operations. It's his goal to ensure that every member has their expectations met, all while providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. He works with local club managers, dock staff, instructors and closely with other departments to ensure that every experience anyone has with Freedom Boat Club is met with our high standards.
Before starting with FBC, Nic received his Bachelors and Masters degrees with concentrations in Biology, Political Science and Medical Sciences. He also earned his USCG Captain's License for an OUPV. In his free time, Nic enjoys water skiing, wakeboarding, Scuba diving, surfing, and running marathons. He also loves to hike, mountain bike, and cruise on his motorcycle in the beautiful outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Membership Sales Manager & Membership Executive
Randy Underwood is Freedom Boat Club's Corporate Membership Sales Manager. His first and foremost responsibility is to train and support his team of membership executives throughout the Southwest Florida region. He is responsible to provide the tools needed for the sales team to perform their job. He is also intimately involved in creating new systems and programs to facilitate a better experience for the sales team.
Randy is responsible for ongoing sales training for both the internal corporate team, as well as supporting franchise sales groups however needed. Prior to his promotion, Randy served in the trenches as an award-winning corporate membership executive himself, having won the "Membership Executive of the Year" five consecutive years. This hands-on experience working in the field allows Randy to bring a real world perspective to the position.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Membership Sales Manager
Job Titles:
- Vice President and General Manager of Freedom Boat Club Corporate - Owned Territory
Scott Ward oversees more than 100 corporate-owned locations. He leads sales, operations, fleet, and member experience for the Club.
Scott has spent his entire career in the marine industry. Prior to joining Freedom Boat Club in March of 2020, Scott has spent the last 15 years working within the Brunswick Corporation; most recently as the President of Sea Ray Sport Yachts and Yachts. Prior to that, he led the entities that make up Brunswick Financial Services and was responsible for Brunswick Dealer Advantage. Before joining Brunswick, he held senior management positions with a large yacht sales organization and a national bank serving marine dealers and manufactures throughout the United States.