Australia’s premium luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera has announced its 2024 International Dealer Awards at a special ceremony in Florida in the United States.
The 2024 Riviera International Dealer Awards recipients (from the left) Tony Witek (Sales Excellence by an Individual) Emerald Pacific Yachts, Randy Buckell and Brett Aggen (Event Excellence by a Dealership) Emerald Pacific Yachts, Rodney Longhurst, owner Riviera Australia, Greg Andrew (Event Excellence by a Dealership) Freedom Marine Canada, Bryan Braley (Sales Excellence by a Dealership) OneWater Yacht Group Florida , Wally Castro ( Riviera Dealer of the Year) Wally Castro Marine Puerto Rico and Jack Gleadhill ( Service Excellence by an Individual) Sun Country Marine Group, California.
Dealer of the Year – Wally Castro Marine
On the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico, Wally Castro Marine has shone among Dealerships around the world to be awarded Riviera International Dealer of the Year.
Dealer Principal Wally Castro said: “Our entire team is 100 percent focussed on our customers. They really are part of our family so we want to ensure they have the best experience aboard the best quality yachts. And that means Riviera.
“We involve our customers in many events each year, including our famous Xmas In July party. We created this event 13 years ago as an all-day on-water party and our Riviera owners are at the centre of our focus there. This year we had almost 500 boats, with around 5,000 people celebrating the spirit of Christmas in July”.
Riviera’s International Sales Director Chris McCafferty said of Wally Castro: “Riviera was the first marque Wally represented when he opened his dealership many years ago. He truly understands the needs of his clients and is an avid Riviera boater himself.
“Wally does it all, and so very well – from knowledgeable sales and attentive service to spectacular events. He hosts what is arguably the largest owner event in the world each year with his Xmas In July gathering in the British Virgin Islands.”
Service Excellence by an Individual – Jack Gleadhill, Sun Country Marine Group, California
Service is paramount in supporting the Riviera family all over the world, so the award for Service Excellence by an Individual is always a highly contested award each year.
This year’s award was presented to Jack Gleadhill from Sun Country Marine Group based in California.
“Our philosophy is to ‘do it well the first time’, said Jack Gleadhill. “I am grateful to have become part of the Sun Country team. My focus is always to provide our owners with the best possible experience and to treat every yacht that I work on as if it were my own.”
Chris McCafferty explained that Jack was a former apprentice from Riviera’s manufacturing facility in Australia.
“Jack’s first international job was working in our US operations,” he said. “He has unparalleled knowledge in the Riviera world and he is now doing a fantastic job on the US west coast.”
Event Excellence by a Dealership –Emerald Pacific Yachts and Freedom Marine
Jointly shared in 2024 between Emerald Pacific Yachts in Seattle Washington and Freedom Marine in Canada, the Event Excellence by a Dealership award was presented for their combined efforts this year in hosting the renowned Riviera Roche Harbour Rendezvous held on San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest.
Speaking on behalf of the team at Emerald Pacific Yachts, Randy Buckell said that the Roche Harbour event began with five yachts 25 years ago.
“This year’s event attracted 54 Rivieras,” he said. “We have always focussed on making the Roche Harbour Rendezvous a family event. This event has helped to create an amazing community of people who love their yachts and who are just so proud to be a part of the Riviera family.”
Denis Barnard of Freedom Marine said: “We are delighted that our relationship with the team at Emerald Pacific has created such an awesome event again this year for our Riviera owners. From the Riviera technical training workshops to a wide range of social events, everyone had a ball. Now we are planning to take their Riviera experience further afield, helping them to explore even more of this beautiful boating region.”
Chris McCafferty said: “Emerald Pacific has a long-standing relationship with Riviera. They have won many awards in the past for service, events and sales excellence. Whilst Freedom Marine is our newest dealership, they come with a first-class reputation for customer support. They are Canada’s largest new boat dealership and have added real value in helping make this a world-class customer event.”
Sales Excellence by an Individual – Tony Witek, Emerald Pacific Yachts, Seattle
“I take pride in being recognised for my work with clients. It’s really about the culmination of efforts by Riviera, the team at Emerald Pacific Yachts as well as myself,” said Tony Witek from Emerald Pacific Yachts, accepting the award for Sales Excellence by an Individual.
Chris McCafferty commented: “Tony is a long-term sales professional who understands the needs of his customers. He will go the extra mile to make sure his customers are serviced properly both before and after their purchase.”
Sales Excellence by a Dealership – OneWater Yacht Group
For the second consecutive year, Riviera’s award for Sales Excellence by a Dealership went to OneWater Yacht Group based in Maryland on the US east coast.
Accepting the award, Dealer Principal Bryan Braley said: “This is a huge honour for us. We have been partners with Riviera for over 10 years and we are fully committed to the yachts Riviera builds, and to giving our customers a superb experience, excellent service and, most of all, to ensuring they have a wonderful time boating.”
Chris McCafferty described OneWater Yacht Group as Riviera’s largest dealer globally and one of the largest new boat dealerships in the world.
“Bryan’s team is responsible for covering a significant part of the US east coast and part of the Florida west coast for Riviera.”
Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst praised the international dealer network and award winners on behalf of Riviera’s team in Australia and in the US.
“The Riviera International Dealer Awards recognise the professionalism, dedication and excellence of service and support by our representatives. Together, Riviera and our dealership network strive to create the ultimate boating experience for our yacht owners,” he said.
“We are very appreciative of our global dealership network, and we thank them all for their commitment and dedication to our yacht owners.”
