Yamaha US Marine appoints vice president

Yamaha’s US Marine Business Unit has named 30-year Yamaha veteran Dean Burnett as vice president, Marine Business. In his new role, Burnett will oversee the company’s US Marine Development and Advanced Development teams, in addition to managing the Boat Business Unit, which includes the WaterCraft Business Group, G3 Boats, and Skeeter Boats.

Burnett will serve as president of Skeeter Products and also lead Yamaha’s Connected Division as president of Siren Marine.

“Dean has a deep understanding of the marine industry, and his leadership plays an integral role in Yamaha’s success,” said Ben Speciale, president, Yamaha US Marine Business Unit. “His tenure with Yamaha is marked by strategic growth, operational excellence and a strong commitment to our customers and partners. We are grateful to have him back in the U.S. and confident he will drive success in his new role.”

Burnett most recently served as president and managing director of Yamaha Motor Canada (YMCA) for three years, where he managed ten Yamaha product lines for the country. Additionally, he served as president and managing director of Yamaha Motor Finance Canada (YMFCA) for two years where he played a key role in integrating YMFCA into the newly formed global finance company, Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation. Previous to this, Burnett served as president of the Yamaha WaterCraft Business Group and led the Customer Service and Boat Businesses.

Burnett grew up in the marine business learning the retail side from his father and uncle at the family marine dealership in Louisville, Kentucky. He began his career with Yamaha in 1987 where he spent four years in sales and marketing roles for the company in the California market.

Burnett left Yamaha in 1991 and spent the next four years working with Boston Whaler and Grady White, as a territory manager. He also held positions with Fenwick Fishing Tackle and Mercury Marine before becoming national sales manager for Yamaha-owned Skeeter Boats in 1997. He became vice president of sales and marketing in 2001.

In January 2003, Yamaha named Burnett vice president and general manager of Century and Cobia Boats, two boat manufacturers also owned and managed by Yamaha at the time. While at Century, he oversaw production, sales, marketing, design, engineering and product planning for the company.

In May 2010, Yamaha appointed Burnett as vice president of Yamaha Marine Group, succeeding Ben Speciale, who became president of the Marine Group at that time.