// INDUSTRY NEWS dealerships , making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America . In 2022 , the company consummated 92 transactions , marking a record-breaking year .
“ I had been told by a mutual friend of Bill and Paula Fulton that after spending 24 years building their highly successful retail boat business , they were considering selling . Shortly thereafter , I met with them , and we really hit it off ,” said George Chaconas , the exclusive buy-side advisor for the Verackas in this transaction and Senior Partner at Performance Brokerage Services . “ Knowing that the Verackas were looking to diversify their portfolio from just Harley-Davidson and expand into the marine industry , we felt the opportunity and timing was perfect . After quick negotiations , we put together a deal that both parties were comfortable with . I enjoyed helping Bill and Paula retire and look forward to helping Paul and Michael grow and expand in a new industry . I am very grateful to have been of service to both parties . I wish Bill and Paula a happy retirement and the Verackas great success on their new adventure .”
Bill and Paula Fulton ’ s love for the marine industry is evident by the awards from multiple boating manufacturers that they proudly display in their showroom . Bill believes their long-term success has been their dedication to the training and coaching of their employees and feels it is one of the most important attributes of being a leader .
Bill ’ s leadership in the dealership is evident by the dealership ’ s strong reputation and the positive reviews from their repeat customers .
“ I ’ m excited to team up with my brother again after we split off into our own Harley-Davidson groups several years ago ,” said Michael Veracka , owner of MOD Enterprises . “ We ’ re both avid boaters and the marine industry seemed like a great opportunity to get back into business together and build a world class marine dealer group . There is a great opportunity to consolidate the fragmented marine industry and apply some of the systems and procedures we ’ ve built in our motorcycle dealerships over the years . We plan to acquire another 6-8 marine dealerships and grow from there . Courtney and George brought me the BMC Boats opportunity and we were able to pay over market value to get a fully operational , wellrun dealership to learn the industry .”
The dealership will remain at its current location in Longwood , Florida and has been renamed VForce Marine Orlando .
California offers Spanish boating courses
California State Parks ’ Division of Boating and Waterways ( DBW ) announced today the availability of a boating safety course in Spanish . Like its English counterpart , the Curso de California para Navegación home study eBook is free and helps Californians be compliant with the manda-
www . boatingindustry . com february 2023
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