West Marine appoints new CEO

Marine multi-channel retailer, West Marine, has announced that Eric Kufel will succeed Ken Seipel as chief executive officer. As part of this planned transition, Seipel will become lead independent director of the West Marine board of directors, effective 23 August.

Kufel most recently served as executive chairman of Leslie’s, where he partnered with the team to transform Leslie’s into the largest omni-channel brand in the USA pool and spa care industry. Prior to his time at Leslie’s, Kufel served as the CEO of CorePower Yoga.

Seipel says: “I am excited to welcome Eric as our new CEO. His depth of experience in consumer-driven businesses and proven ability to accelerate growth, particularly through digital, supply chain, and marketing advancements within multi-channel retail organisations, make him well-suited to lead West Marine into its next chapter of growth.”

“I am thrilled to join West Marine at this exciting time in the company’s evolution,” says Kufel. “West Marine is uniquely positioned to build upon its category-leading position to become the leading tech-enabled platform for boating enthusiasts, providing unmatched product breadth, best-in-class value, expert knowledge, and superior convenience and service. Ken and the team have done a remarkable job refocusing the company on outfitting, educating, and inspiring all boaters and laying the foundation for a reimagined omni-channel consumer experience.”