During a career that spanned a quarter of a century, J.J. Marie and his team built the Zodiac line of inflatable boats into one of the best-known brands in the world. Marie had already enjoyed success in many well-known international companies before he joined the Zodiac Groupe in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario.
In 1990 Marie moved to the United States as president of Zodiac of North America and continued to develop Zodiac’s model lines to satisfy the growing needs of the civilian, military and law enforcement markets.
But at February’s Miami Boat Show, Marie said that he is handing over the Presidency of Zodiac North America-Zodiac is now wholly owned by the Carlyle Group–to his longtime associate and Vice President, Howard French. Marie isn’t going away any time soon, however, and is staying on as Chairman and ‘goodwill ambassador.’
French said he is going to continue the trajectory Zodiac now is on, much of that because of Zodiac’s fuel efficiency. He’s also going to ramp up the production capabilities at Zodiac’s new facility in South Carolina.
Marie began his nautical career in the French Merchant Marine and then went into the French Navy. A private pilot he also holds a 50-ton ocean operator’s license. “I’m really not going any where,” Marie said in Miami. “French has given me too much to do.”
In 1990 Marie moved to the United States as president of Zodiac of North America and continued to develop Zodiac’s model lines to satisfy the growing needs of the civilian, military and law enforcement markets.
But at February’s Miami Boat Show, Marie said that he is handing over the Presidency of Zodiac North America-Zodiac is now wholly owned by the Carlyle Group–to his longtime associate and Vice President, Howard French. Marie isn’t going away any time soon, however, and is staying on as Chairman and ‘goodwill ambassador.’
French said he is going to continue the trajectory Zodiac now is on, much of that because of Zodiac’s fuel efficiency. He’s also going to ramp up the production capabilities at Zodiac’s new facility in South Carolina.
Marie began his nautical career in the French Merchant Marine and then went into the French Navy. A private pilot, he also holds a 50-ton ocean operator’s license. “I’m really not going any where,” Marie said in Miami. “French has given me too much to do.”
