Marky Machine, a Seattle-based manufacturer specializing in marine winches and deck equipment, has completed its ownership and leadership transition and is preparing for a new chapter. Eric Rose has been appointed as the new President and CEO and has also acquired a stake in the company.
Key Leadership Changes
Jeff Dempke, who has worked at Marky for over 20 years, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and has increased his ownership stake. Blaine Dempke, who has spent 48 years building Marky's reputation in the marine industry, will continue to serve as a senior advisor.
This ownership transition brings new investment from within the organization while preserving the technical knowledge, customer relationships, and industry experience that have supported Marky for generations. Eric Rose commented, "What Blaine has built is incredible, and I fully understand this responsibility. The Marky name matters because of the people behind this equipment. My duty is to continue this legacy and invest in my team to ensure Marky remains as reliable for generations to come."
Maintaining Relationships and Technical Knowledge
Blaine Dempke has helped Marky navigate changes in ship design, marine technology, and customer expectations throughout his career. His long-term relationships with ship operators, bankruptcies, and employees have played a significant role in the company's development. He stated, "Marky's success is built on its people and strengthened by the relationships we've developed with customers. I trust Eric and the leadership team and look forward to remaining as an advisor alongside them to continue Marky's legacy."
As a senior advisor, Dempke will continue to provide historical and technical insights to the Marky leadership team. This ownership transition is supported by a leadership team with experience in engineering, manufacturing, financial management, and customer service. In addition to Eric and Jeff Dempke, the team includes Casey McGarity, Chief Financial Officer; Scott Chris, Vice President of Sales and Engineering; and Art Wheatley, Vice President of Operations.
Marky has also appointed Ryan Haag as Vice President of Product Support and Nick Loeffler as Project Management Director, enhancing the company's ability to support customers throughout the lifecycle of their equipment. Haag, based in Jacksonville, Florida, oversees post-sale operations, including spare parts, engineering support, field services, and Sentinel inspections. He is also developing a network of authorized Marky technicians to expand access to regional services, especially on the East Coast and Gulf.
Loeffler coordinates complex projects that involve equipment refurbishments and require engineering, manufacturing, and field service support, providing customers with a central point of contact throughout project execution.
With the new ownership transition, Marky will continue to invest in its workforce, strengthen internal coordination, and expand technical support while maintaining its focus on specialized marine deck machinery. Eric Rose stated, "We have an amazing foundation to build upon. The knowledge within this company, the quality of our people, and the trust customers have in Marky are what we value. Our goal is to honor what Blaine and previous generations have built while making Marky an even stronger and more responsive partner for the marine industry in the next 120 years."
