Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

Congressman Rudy Yakym visits Smoker Craft dealer meeting

by Smoker Craft 11 Aug 2023 19:35 BST
Congressman Rudy Yakym visits Smoker Craft dealer meeting © Steve Huber / Smoker Craft

Multi-line boat builder Smoker Craft Inc. welcomed Indiana's Second District Congressman Rudy Yakym as a guest of honor at its annual dealer meeting, which kicked off on Sunday at the company's New Paris, Indiana manufacturing facility.

Yakym, a boating enthusiast and boating industry supporter, joined business leaders and senior representatives from more than 230 Smoker Craft dealer partners who traveled from across the US, Canada, and as far away as Columbia to attend the company's annual dealer meeting. The event, which runs through August 10, features a packed agenda of business engagements, presentations, and more than 120 different 2024 Smoker Craft, Starcraft, Sylvan, SunChaser and Starweld models on display, with a further 20 available nearby for on-water sea trials.

Smoker Craft President Doug Smoker, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development Peter Barrett, and Vice President of Sales Phil Smoker thanked Congressman Yakym for taking the time to tour the company's facilities, and learn first-hand about the opportunities and challenges facing American manufacturers today.

As a special thank you, the company presented Yakym with a custom made Smoker Craft display sign for his Washington office.

Born and raised in nearby South Bend, Yakym received his bachelor's degree in business finance and administration from Indiana University South Bend before earning an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to his election to Congress, Yakym served as Director of Growth Initiatives at Elkhart-based logistics and supply chain management firm Kem Krest. He currently lives in Granger, in the heart of Indiana's lake country, with wife Sallyann and children Elle, Rudy IV, and Eliza.

Related Articles

Flying Jenny Crowned Cape 31 Season Champion
After Six Rounds of Fierce Racing The 2025 Cape 31 season wrapped up after six spectacular rounds, showcasing one of the most competitive one-design fleets on the water. Posted today at 6:27 am
Musto GP14 Masters Championship at South Cerney
Strong, gusty and shifty winds with rain in the Cotswolds South Cerney Sailing Club, within the Cotswolds gravel pit water park, welcomed the GP14 fleet for the South Cerney GP14 open and the Musto National Masters Championship. Posted today at 5:27 am
Merlin Rockets at Upper Thames
DeMay and Thames Series Opens held over the weekend Nine boats enjoyed the Merlin Rocket class Vintage event at UTSC on Saturday 6th September 2025. Crews were welcomed by sunshine and a moderate south easterly breeze. The wind was coming from the direction of the Bounty pub beyond the Marina. Posted today at 5:07 am
Nacra 15 West Country Championship
A challenging weekend for the fleet in the Carrick Roads On Saturday morning, after recovering from Friday's RYA British Youth Sailing Team bleep test, the sailors were greeted with windy and rainy weather. However, this didn't put them off as they were keen to get out and racing before the wind picked up. Posted today at 4:53 am
Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup Day 1
Despite hurdles, familiar faces surge to the fore With a punchy 15-knot easterly and six-foot seas, the first day of the ninth edition of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup was a trial by fire for the 20 all-amateur crews pursuing Corinthian yachting's most treasured prize. Posted today at 3:42 am
J/24 Worlds 2025 in Plymouth, UK Day 1
4 metre waves and gusts in excess of 30 knots 50 J24's from 12 countries (Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, USA and the UK) descended upon Plymouth, UK for their five day World Championship. Posted today at 3:35 am
Snipe Europeans 2025 at Vilamoura, Portugal Day 1
Two Races Completed on Opening Day The Snipe European Championship 2025 officially got under way today in Vilamoura, where the fleet completed two solid races under excellent sailing conditions. Posted on 9 Sep
35th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup at Porto Cervo Day 2
Magic Carpet E, Jolt, Nice, H2O and Moat lead in their respective classes The second day of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup delivered excellent racing conditions for the fleet assembled in Porto Cervo, with north-westerly winds averaging 16 knots. Posted on 9 Sep
iQFOiL U23 Worlds at Portimão day 2
Today, attention once again turns to the unique race area in front of the Santa Catarina fortress. Yesterday, the opening day of the U23 World Championships set the tone for a high-level competition in Portimão. Strong northwesterly winds of 15-18 knots allowed the Race Committee to launch four Course Racing starts. Posted on 9 Sep
2025 Star Worlds at Split, Croatia Day 2
Negri and Lambertenghi win Day Two after tactical duel on the Adriatic The second day of racing at the 2025 Star World Championship in Split, Croatia, saw the full 101-boat fleet return to the water for Race 2 after a 90-minute wait ashore. Posted on 9 Sep