New Orleans, LA — [Dec. 4, 2025] — SAFE Boats International (SBI), a 100% employee-owned company, today shared an important announcement about the company’s leadership and organizational structure.
Richard Schwarz will transition from his daily duties as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) into a consulting and advisory role. This transition allows Richard to pursue his personal passion of traveling while continuing to contribute his experience and insight to key strategic initiatives and long-term planning. His continued involvement ensures that SAFE Boats will benefit from his leadership and institutional knowledge well into the future.
As the company enters its 30th year, SBI will adopt a new cooperative leadership model, reflecting the collaborative spirit at the heart of the organization.
Under this direction, the day-to-day operations of the company will be led by four longtime SAFE Boats executives, each bringing deep experience and passion for the mission:
- Rob Goley, Chief Revenue & Customer Officer (CRCO), leading Sales, Marketing, Customer Support, Training, and Product Development and Sales Engineering
- Christer Bradley, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Directing Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Production Engineering, and Continuous Improvement
- Tom Gumpert, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), overseeing Financial Operations, Supply Chain, and IT
- Cindy McFarland, Chief People Officer (CPO), championing the Employee Owner/Team Member Experience, Professional and Workforce Development
As a 100% Employee-Owned company, this model brings shared leadership, shared responsibility, and shared success. For a company whose culture at the core was built on teamwork and collective mindset and commitment of ownership, this approach represents a natural evolution- one that strengthens cross-functional collaboration and empowers leaders closest to the team, the work and the customer.
The leadership team will be guided and supported by a Chief Executive Board led by Company founder Scott Peterson, serving as Chairman of the Board. He is supported by Vice Chair Bill Hoglund and Board Members VADM Dean Lee, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), who contributes in an executive leadership development capacity, and Tom Norton, who serves as Treasurer of the Board. Together, this experienced group provides deep industry, operational, and governance expertise.
“Our people have always been the heart of SAFE Boats,” said Scott Peterson, Founder and Chairman of the Board. “This structure reflects who we are—collaborative, customer-focused, mission-driven, and united by the pride of employee ownership. With this leadership team and this model, we’re positioning SAFE Boats for a strong and innovative future. It honors our history while giving us the agility and shared perspective we need for continued success.”
This announcement comes at a meaningful time, as SAFE Boats prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026— celebrating three decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication to customers around the world.
About SAFE Boats International
SAFE Boats International is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance aluminum boats for military, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and other first-responder and commercial applications. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Bremerton, Washington, SAFE Boats proudly builds all vessels in the USA using American craftsmanship, materials, and innovation. The company is 100% employee-owned—meaning every boat is backed by a team personally invested in its quality, performance, and reliability. Trusted by professional mariners around the world, SAFE Boats’ vessels are known for their durability, speed, and reliability in the most demanding conditions. With more than 2,600 boats in service globally, SAFE Boats continues to set the standard for mission-ready platforms that help protect life, ensure security, and safeguard freedom on the water. For more information, visit www.safeboats.com.
For More Information:
Kelsey Nemeth
Marketing & Brand Manager
+1 360.721.0422