Drees Named President Of Mercury Marine

Brunswick Corporation has appointed Christopher Drees president of Mercury Marine. A longtime Mercury Marine employee, Drees replaces John Pfeifer, who joined Mercury Marine in 2006 and became president of the Fond du Lac, Wis., marine engine and accessories company in 2014.

Mercury Marine, the world leader in outboard and stern-drive engine propulsion, has a new president. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Drees most recently served as the company’s president of marine parts and accessories. His appointment is effectively immediately and he will report directly to Brunswick Corp. chief executive officer David M. Foulkes, according to a press release sent out this morning from Brunswick, Mercury Marine’s publicly held Illinois-based parent company.

“Assuming the Mercury presidency is a natural progression for Chris,” Foulkes said in the release. “He has spent more than 20 years with the company, distinguishing himself in a number of varied assignments and making a series of planned career moves to hone his skills and experience in preparation for this well-deserved role.”

Drees, who holds a master’s degree in business administration from Marquette University, joined Mercury Marine in 1998. During his first eight years with the company, he held a variety of positions in purchasing, sales and marketing, and as general manager of the Mercury propeller business. From 2006 through 2014, Drees led Mercury’s Attwood operations, first as chief operating officer and then as president.

In 2014, Drees was promoted to vice president of global operations, and during his tenure in that role “Mercury made great strides in increasing the productivity and efficiency of its propulsion operations,” according to Foulkes. Last year, Drees assumed his role leading marine parts and accessories, where he was responsible for the integration of Power Products—Brunswick’s largest acquisition ever—”into the power and accessories portfolio.

“Chris’s appointment is indicative of both the deep bench of talent and leadership we have throughout the Brunswick organization and our continued focus on succession planning,” said Foulkes.

According to the release, Pfeifer is exiting Mercury Marine to “pursue opportunities outside the company.”

Said Foulkes, “We thank John, who will remain at Mercury for a short time to effect a smooth transition, for his many significant contributions through the years in a variety of roles at Mercury and Brunswick. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Drees Named President Of Mercury Marine

Address

Quick Links