Elizabeth Bohling and Jeff Bohling - Co-Presidents
Seattle Boat Company
Seattle Boat Company was founded and built by Alan Bohling, long-time BBRC member, and his team over 40 years. Alan took a boat dealership (sales only) and built a full-service dealership offering sales of new boat models (Malibu, Barletta and Cobalt) as well as used boats, boat repairs, storage and fuel, plus a boat club. Today, Elizabeth and Jeff have taken the reigns from their father and the future looks bright. This morning, they will discuss their history with the business and their vision of SBC's present and future as well as share their beautiful Newport Shores facility. Weather permitting, they will offer boat rides to BBRC members after the meeting, so bring a jacket to stay warm and enjoy a cool experience!
The address of the meeting is Seattle Boat Company, 3911 Lake Washington Boulevard SE, Bellevue WA 98006.
About the Speaker
Elizabeth functions as Co-President with her brother Jeff and joined Seattle Boat full-time in November 2015, when her dream to work for the family business became true. Through high school (and probably earlier), she worked in various seasonal roles including in the accounting department and parts department. Elizabeth studied Psychology and Child Development at Texas Christian University, and actively competed horses all through college. After working for two years in Texas, her dad, Alan, came to visit and asked if she was ready to move home as he was in need of a Human Resources department at Seattle Boat. They made the 40-hour road trip home in early December 2015. She started the HR department at Seattle Boat and had a steep learning curve. Elizabeth also worked as a Delivery Coordinator where she handled all the new and used boat closings for their Newport and Lake Tapps locations. After Covid, Seattle Boat hired an HR manager, who gradually took over her role as Delivery Coordinator as well, which allowed her and Jeff to become Co-Presidents, overseeing their various departments. They both actively lead the sales team, service teams, marina teams, and marketing departments. Along with her role at SBC, she is also on the Board of Trustees for the Northwest Marine Trade Association and the Boat Show Committee for the NMTA. Elizabeth feels incredibly lucky each day to be able to share her love for boating with the Seattle and North Idaho areas and work alongside her family.
Jeff Bohling, also Co-President, always believed that working for the family business was his plan. Both he and Elizabeth grew up in the business working various roles. Jeff learned the ropes from working detail to sales assistant in high school and working in various other areas through his college years. Jeff went to Gonzaga University and earned a Master of Accountancy while also playing baseball. In the summers, he worked in accounting and service at Seattle Boat. Jeff was drafted in 2017 by the Colorado Rockies and played 2 seasons before hanging up his cleats, after getting released at the end of spring training in his 3rd year. He appreciated the opportunity to experience an industry like baseball and today applies that competitiveness/grit to his work at SBC. It’s been a blast for him to learn and grow with Elizabeth while trying to build on everything that Alan built – he is excited for the growth potential over the next 5 years including new markets and more diversity.
