By Frank O'Neil, Chief Commercial Officer
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Imagine, if you will, the ideal boating or fishing trip guest.
First and foremost, you’d likely look for someone confident and capable at sea. Experience isn’t mandatory, of course, but it’s certainly helpful to have a deft hand on deck. All the better if they’re a weapon with a rod and reel.
No less important characteristic is someone who’s simply a good hang—friendly, conversational, inquisitive; an easygoing presence in a confined space. You don’t want someone who eats too much or drinks too much or takes up too much room.
Now, if that person could also fix any mechanical or electrical issue that can possibly crop up, well, that’s certainly a friend worth inviting.
Mark Fritzer is that guy. That’s why he’s on speed dial in every Lindell owner’s phone.
A third-generation commercial and charter fisherman hailing from Port Angeles, Washington, Mark’s mariner bonafides run deep. His grandmother was the first female USGS-licensed captain on the West Coast, a high liner renowned through the region. Mark’s father and grandfather began training him in the fine art of fixing boat engines before most kids could ride a bike.
That led invariably to an interest in engineering then onward to boat rigging, racing, maintenance, construction, and design. He worked with builders around Puget Sound before an opportunity arose to take his skills abroad. At Circa Marine in Whangarei, New Zealand, Mark gained a ton of insightful experience working in the "long-range" cruising world building boats meant to cross oceans and withstand pirate attacks, should they occur. He made massive Pacific crossings with that team, accruing invaluable knowledge and credentials in the process.
In 2018, Mark reconnected with a high school classmate, Brian Kott, who had recently acquired Jim Lindell’s brand and blueprints for the ultimate Pacific Northwest long-range fishing and cruising vessel. Along with many other great collaborators they grew Lindell Yachts into the sophisticated business that it is.
Brian elevated Mark’s title from VP of Engineering to President earlier this year, an acknowledgement of leadership and mastery of the build process. If you were to imagine the ideal business leader, you might think of someone who could, in a pinch, do every job at the company, right? When you intimately understand every job, you can create conditions that allow every employee do theirs to the best of their abilities.
When you know every system and every inch of a boat, you’re also ideally situated to help clients solve any issues that may arise. Mark’s calm and pretense-free demeanor allows operators to ask even the most basic questions without judgement and find solutions quickly. Many of our customers say that working with Mark is the best part of owning a Lindell. No wonder he gets invited on so many fishing trips.
The ideal boat guest, the ideal company president. It’s my honor to present this short film about my buddy, Mark Fritzer.
