Mark Larson – Long Lake’s Marine Service Director
Mark joined the River Valley team in the Spring of 2020 as the Long Lake Service Director. He comes with experience in all aspects of our boating types and is well known with many lake residents. Starting from the bottom as a lot guy in 1993, Mark has made some moves to land him in the role he holds at River Valley today. A little on Mark’s experience and history:
- Started out in the Marine Industry in 1993 as a lot guy at Chopper City Sports & Marine
- In 1997 Mark moved to Midwest Watersports as a lot guy and was quickly moved into an Assistant Service Manager role
- In 2000 Mark was promoted at Midwest Watersports to Service Manager
- In 2005 Mark saw another opportunity to grow and moved to Crystal-Pierz as a Service Manager overseeing the Forest Lake and Rogers locations
- During the financial crisis in 2007 Mark moved back to Midwest Watersports as the Service Manager once again
- 2015 landed him a new opportunity to grow again with Minnesota Inboard as Service Manager of their New Germany service location
Mark’s experience has been mainly with tow boats but has also provided him with knowledge in the fiberglass and pontoon segments as well. Learning first hand starting as a lot guy Mark developed skills in internal communication with all departments of the dealership as well as with the customers. When asked whom he has looked up to most in the industry he stated “Joe Mueller, He had the sales and service mind that you don’t find in many Dealer Principals.” “He gave me the freedom and the tools to make my department successful and the opportunity to grow personally.” When asked why he decided to pursue River Valley to be a Service Manager he stated “I hadn’t had the opportunity to grow something from the ground up. That in itself was the most appealing. Creating something from scratch sounded like the challenge and opportunity I was looking for.” Mark’s ability to rest on his morals of being a good listener, truthful (even in tough situations), and drive to finding solutions is what makes him stand out as a leader. “Its been tough building this team during not only the busiest months of the year but the busiest year we have ever seen in boating”, Mark stated. His passion comes from being a problem solver and always tries to put himself in the customers shoes when working for resolve on any issue. “It isn’t always the easiest position when dealing mainly with issues on a customers product, the smile from the customer and hearing of the memories I help create is the only drive I need!”