Brunswick Corporation has promoted Christopher Drees, president – marine parts and accessories, to president – Mercury Marine.
Drees succeeds John Pfeifer, who has chosen to leave Brunswick to pursue opportunities outside the company. Drees will report to Brunswick Chief Executive Officer David M. Foulkes. The appointment is effective immediately.
Drees joined Mercury Marine in 1998, and during his first eight years held a variety of positions within the company, including roles in purchasing, sales and marketing, and as general manager of the Mercury propeller business. From 2006 through 2014, Drees led Mercury’s Attwood operations, first as chief operating officer and then as president.
In 2014, Drees was promoted to vice president – Mercury global operations, and during his tenure in the role Mercury made great strides in increasing the productivity and efficiency of its propulsion operations, according to Foulkes. In 2018, Drees assumed his role leading marine parts and accessories, where he was responsible for the integration of Power Products, Brunswick’s largest acquisition ever, into the P&A portfolio. Drees’ successor in his P&A role will be the subject of a later announcement. Until that time, marine parts and accessories leadership will continue to report to Drees.
Drees earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and an MBA from Marquette University.