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A Day with Bill Yeargin and Staff
Greetings All!! Lets try this again.
Last Friday, the 12th, Tracy and I went down to Orlando to meet Bill, have lunch with him, and take a tour of the factory. We first had to stop in at Nautiques Of Orlando to see our extended family Jeff, Mama, and T. Thanks for the shirts guy's, you ROCK!!!
We arrived 30 minutes early at CC. When you enter the main lobby, you are greeted by an elegant glass showcase displaying all the JD Powers awards. ALL of them!!
Quite appropriate I thought. We were promptly greeted by a very nice lady, forgive me, I don't recall her name. I do remember her saying she had been with CC for 23 years, and she is young. She asked if we were the couple from Planet Nautique, to which I said yes. They read my post telling of our forthcoming visit. She said that we were early, and Bill was still tied up. No problem, I said, we'll just enjoy the wall's filled with CC history, pics, and awards.
The time passed quickly, and soon Bill was standing at the bottom of the stairs, hand extended, and we introduced ourselves. We chatted there for what seemed a while, and in doing so, found out that we are both from West Palm Beach. We reminisced for a while, then Bill asked if we were ready to head upstairs for lunch. He led the way, and as we turned to climb the last flight of stairs, at the top landing, ready to walk down, was none other than Ronnie Barton. She was telling Bill about her trip to Morocco, from which she had just returned. We introduced ourselves, and I asked how she was feeling, knowing she had surgery not long ago. "Can we get a picture with you Ronnie?" She was more than happy to do so, and we were grateful.
We then proceeded into Bill's office, grabbed our lunch that was waiting for us, and sat down at a full round cheery wood table. We got to know each other, talked about many things, and just relaxed. About an hour later, Bill asked if we were ready for the tour. He had an appointment to keep, so in walked a staff member and we stood up and shook hands with Ron Nace. Otherwise known as Super Ron. He donned a big SR logo on his chest with a red, white and blue cape. Well, not really, but that would've been appropriate also because he is indeed super.
He took us on the entire tour, except R&D..........dagnabit!! >;-) Being a Friday, not all departments were up and running, but there was still alot going on. Impressed is a HUGE understatement. It was quite a sight to see where our beloved Nautiques are born then finished.
The attitude of the employees was fantastic. I watched as Bill, SR interacted with the employees, always saying hello to them, calling them by name. And if they saw Bill or SR first, they spoke, each and every one, every time.
My take on the whole experience is this. CC was started in 1925 by a phenomenal family, who probably had no idea that they would be legendary in what they had created. Quite a few of us were, well, disappointed when the Meloons were no longer the sole owners any longer. The old adage "the only thing permanent is change" is true more often tan not. Not bragging, repeat, NOT bragging, but I have an intuitive insight into someone's character within minutes of meeting them. And I am rarely wrong.
Trust me when I tell you, that the founders of CC look down from above and are VERY pleased to see what type of people are carrying on the legacy of the greatest inboard company there ever was. Bill and his staff, along with Meloon family members still there, will en
Last Friday, the 12th, Tracy and I went down to Orlando to meet Bill, have lunch with him, and take a tour of the factory. We first had to stop in at Nautiques Of Orlando to see our extended family Jeff, Mama, and T. Thanks for the shirts guy's, you ROCK!!!
We arrived 30 minutes early at CC. When you enter the main lobby, you are greeted by an elegant glass showcase displaying all the JD Powers awards. ALL of them!!
Quite appropriate I thought. We were promptly greeted by a very nice lady, forgive me, I don't recall her name. I do remember her saying she had been with CC for 23 years, and she is young. She asked if we were the couple from Planet Nautique, to which I said yes. They read my post telling of our forthcoming visit. She said that we were early, and Bill was still tied up. No problem, I said, we'll just enjoy the wall's filled with CC history, pics, and awards.The time passed quickly, and soon Bill was standing at the bottom of the stairs, hand extended, and we introduced ourselves. We chatted there for what seemed a while, and in doing so, found out that we are both from West Palm Beach. We reminisced for a while, then Bill asked if we were ready to head upstairs for lunch. He led the way, and as we turned to climb the last flight of stairs, at the top landing, ready to walk down, was none other than Ronnie Barton. She was telling Bill about her trip to Morocco, from which she had just returned. We introduced ourselves, and I asked how she was feeling, knowing she had surgery not long ago. "Can we get a picture with you Ronnie?" She was more than happy to do so, and we were grateful.
We then proceeded into Bill's office, grabbed our lunch that was waiting for us, and sat down at a full round cheery wood table. We got to know each other, talked about many things, and just relaxed. About an hour later, Bill asked if we were ready for the tour. He had an appointment to keep, so in walked a staff member and we stood up and shook hands with Ron Nace. Otherwise known as Super Ron. He donned a big SR logo on his chest with a red, white and blue cape. Well, not really, but that would've been appropriate also because he is indeed super.
He took us on the entire tour, except R&D..........dagnabit!! >;-) Being a Friday, not all departments were up and running, but there was still alot going on. Impressed is a HUGE understatement. It was quite a sight to see where our beloved Nautiques are born then finished.
The attitude of the employees was fantastic. I watched as Bill, SR interacted with the employees, always saying hello to them, calling them by name. And if they saw Bill or SR first, they spoke, each and every one, every time.
My take on the whole experience is this. CC was started in 1925 by a phenomenal family, who probably had no idea that they would be legendary in what they had created. Quite a few of us were, well, disappointed when the Meloons were no longer the sole owners any longer. The old adage "the only thing permanent is change" is true more often tan not. Not bragging, repeat, NOT bragging, but I have an intuitive insight into someone's character within minutes of meeting them. And I am rarely wrong.
Trust me when I tell you, that the founders of CC look down from above and are VERY pleased to see what type of people are carrying on the legacy of the greatest inboard company there ever was. Bill and his staff, along with Meloon family members still there, will en
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