Steve Lochmueller, President and CEO of Sumerset Houseboats reported on his first year at the helm of Kentucky’s oldest and largest aluminum hull houseboat manufacturing facility, “Team Sumerset focused on our commitment and worked very hard. We knew we had a big job to do, but not an impossible job. Their efforts resulted in a very successful year and we are poised for an even better year in 2005 – 06. Consumer demand for our houseboats is as strong as ever and likely to grow significantly. Our exclusive dealer network is very healthy and well poised for another successful year with Sumerset Houseboats. Production is up, quality ratings are up and customer relationships are strengthening.”

Lochmueller, an operations executive brought on board by the investment group headed by two former Kentucky Basketball All-Americans, Jamal Mashburn and Ron Mercer, is skilled at building companies by instituting cost saving processes, developing new distribution channels and capitalizing on new opportunities.

Lochmueller is quick to point out that strong selling programs were a big contributor to success, they were by no means the sole cause, “ My experience has taught me three vital elements to achieving goals – plan your work and work your plan; be prepared to keep your promises because your word is who you are; and always move forward.”

Highlights of Sumerset Houseboats First Year:
Company Wide Performance Reward Program with Quarterly Reviews
Aggressive Marketing Campaign that included logo and website redesign
Exclusive Dealer Program in eight states.
Elected as Houseboat Industry Association (HIA) Vice-Chairman
Featured on Travel Channel production “Fantastic Houseboats”; IQ Magazine and CNNfn
Nationwide Service Center Partners in twelve states.
Established the industry’s only Customer Advisory Board
Major investment in a new IT infrastructure
Lochmueller was selected as Houseboat Industry Association (HIA) Vice-Chairman
Selected to serve on the BMD (Boat Manufactures Division) Board of the NMMA
Entered the NMMA’s CSI Program (Customer Survey Index).

Don’t worry about CEO Lochmueller or Team Sumerset being satisfied with their current level of success, “We are definitely continuing to move forward. For being at the helm eleven short months, we’ve made some amazing strides and turned this company around. So far we’ve focused our efforts on reclaiming our competitive advantage; we haven’t started getting innovative yet.”