The new Columbia Yacht Corporation
was incorporated in September, 2001, under the guidance of Vincent
Valdes (President and CEO) and Justin Wallin, (Vice President and
COO). The company secured Richard "Dick" Valdes and William
R. Lennartz as founding directors. Each member of the management
team brings extensive experience and achievement to the new Columbia
Yacht Corporation.
The original Columbia Yacht Corporation was founded
as Glas Laminates in 1958 by Dick Valdes shortly after college.
Glas Laminates, a fiberglass contract company, eventually focused
its fiberglass development expertise on the production of sailboats
and became Glass Marine Industries (GMI). Early Columbia models
included the Columbia 24 and the Sparkman & Stephens designed
Columbia 29. By 1964, Columbia Yachts was generating over $2.5 Million
in revenues per year and growing.
The next year, Columbia introduced the Columbia
50, at the time the world's largest fiberglass production sailboat.
With classic beauty and exceptional comfort below decks, the Columbia
50 rapidly made headlines by winning such notable races as the Chicago-Macinac
and the Newport to Ensenada (the world's largest international yacht
race). That same year, GMI was renamed Columbia Yacht Corporation
to tie the corporate name with that of the yachts.
By the late 1960s, Valdes had built the company into the world's
largest fiberglass sailboat manufacturer with manufacturing plants
throughout the world. He sold the company to Whittaker (listed on
the NYSE), but retained his position as president of Columbia
Yacht Corporation and was instrumental in the development
of Whittaker Marine Group, which ultimately included Bertram
Yachts, Trojan Yachts, Riva, Desco Marine, Kettenburg, and Balboa
Marine. Total sales of the Whittaker Marine Group reached
between $250 and $350 Million in the early 70's during Valdes' tenure.
Following Dick Valdes' departure from Columbia
Yachts, the company was reheadquartered to the east coast,
and was eventually sold to Hughes Boat Works, and later to Aura
Yachts. In the mid-80's, Hughes regained control of the company.
Eventually, Columbia Yachts faded from history.
