New leadership at Beneteau America

Don Smith

Don Smith has been appointed the new President of Beneteau America as of January 1, 2021. Smith succeeds Jean-François Lair in this new role.

Smith has over 30+ years experience in the marine industry, having worked for Cabo-Hatteras, Regal Marine, Chris Craft, MarineMax, and Galati Yacht Sales. Smith initially joined Beneteau America in November 2018 as the Outboard Boat Sales Manager to launch the Antares, Barracuda, and Flyer ranges in the Americas.

“Since Don joined Beneteau America, the brand has made major progress on the American market,” says Yann Masselot, Beneteau Brand Manager. “Don’s experience and deep knowledge of the marine industry, his skills in team management and his ability to build strong and long term partnerships with our dealers will definitely be great assets to strengthen our positions and develop further our reach on the US and Canadian markets.”

Lair had been with Beneteau for 13 years in Europe before moving to the USA in 2018 as Director of Sales and later President of Beneteau America.