The yacht design firm Sparkman & Stephens announced in December that it named Greg Matzat as president. Matzat, who formerly served as the firm’s chief naval architect and executive vice president, is only the sixth person to hold the top title in the firm’s 78-year history. As part of the new watch, Bruce Johnson, the firm’s chief designer, has been promoted to executive vice president. Matzat has been with the company since 1989. Sadly, Matzat’s predecessor, Mitch Neff, who stepped down in November to focus on brokerage, died early in the year of complications related to lung cancer. "Mitch enjoyed helping others with a passion for boats and his success was a result of his honesty and directness," Matzat said of Neff. "He didn’t have clients, he had friends." Visit www.sparkmanstephens.com.

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Fraser CEO Frank Brand. (Click image to enlarge)

Fraser Yachts also announced some big news regarding its executive committee. Frank Brand was appointed to the position of CEO of the Fraser Yachts Group. The change takes place immediately. Brand assumes responsibility for the management of the company from Carlo Agliardi, who has been with Fraser for more than 15 years. Brand has been instrumental in the growth and development of Fraser Yachts’ management over the years. He will remain based in Fort Lauderdale. Another addition is Marketing Manager Patrick Coote. Coote will be based in Monaco, where he will be responsible for marketing across the entire Fraser Yachts Group. Prior to working for Fraser, Coote built his experience in a luxury marketing background focused on strategic planning and implementation. Visit www.fraseryachts.com.

The Ferretti Group held its fourth editions of Convergence and Convergence Navi, conference events dedicated to the theoretical and practical training of captains of all Ferretti Group yachts. Captains of vessels smaller than 80 feet attended the Convergence sessions in Naples, Italy, February 27 to March 2. The event included theoretical and technical workshops. The attendees also visited the new Torre Annunziata production facility during their three-day stay. Captains of vessels larger than 80 feet attended the Convergence Navi sessions in Barcelona, Spain, March 19 to 21. The latter concentrated on the technical and managerial aspects of operating a megayacht. Visit www.ferrettigroup.com.

Founder Herbert Dahm once again leads Dahm International, located in Monaco and Düsseldorf, Germany. After closing shop for a short while, the brokerage company that handles "all yachting-related matters" is back in action after clients, friends and insiders insisted that Dahm return to the field. With a larger and more powerful team, Dahm will once again be at clients’ disposal, specializing in Jongert and Benetti vessels. Visit www.dahm-international.com.

Work has already begun on the access road and initial structures that will support Christensen Shipyards’ new 400,000-square-foot facility in Greenback, Tennessee. The 50-acre site in Loudon County is located on Tellico Lake, a body of water created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1979. Construction is expected to last two years and when complete will accommodate production of the yard’s new line of luxury motor yachts ranging from 165 to 220 feet. Production of its existing line of vessels (100 to 150 feet) will continue at its Vancouver, Washington, yard. Visit www.christensenyachts.com.

Sandy Carney, previously of Churchill Yacht Partners, formed her own charter and consulting company under the name Sanderson Yachting LLC.
Carney is a seasoned industry veteran who is well known and respected throughout the yachting community. Contact sandy@sanderson.cc.