A veteran of production boatbuilding has been hired as president of Buddy Davis Boatworks Inc. in Wanchese, N.C., to help ease the company's transition from a small, custom builder to a larger-volume semi-custom operation. Rusty Kelley, former president of Skeeter and Glaston Boats, joins the Buddy Davis executive ranks at a time when the company is doubling its production from 10 boats last year to 20 this year. Plans for 2002 call for at least 30 boats. Buddy Davis builds sportfishing boats up to 70 feet. It plans to introduce five new models this year - all designed in collaboration with naval architect Donald Blount. With the arrival of Kelley, company founder Buddy Davis assumes the role of chairman of the board and Jeff Dickson, who joined Davis as a partner in 1999, becomes chief executive officer. "Rusty has a great reputation within the industry for his manufacturing background, design accomplishments, systems management and cost management skills," says Buddy Davis. The drive to increase production has been spearheaded by Dickson, whose investment in the company has enabled Buddy Davis to add new facilities, tooling and molds.

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