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About Us
Jay Sanders
Jay Sanders, a 32-year marine industry veteran, joined West Coast Sales in 1995.
Jay's career began with Phillips Marine Stores in 1976. Spending the first two years in retail sales and management, he eventually joined the newly formed wholesale division as an outside sales representative. Consistently a top sales performer, Jay became Assistant Vice President, in charge of all company sales.
In 1981, he joined Hallcraft Manufacturing as an outside salesman. Jay developed new territory along the Los Angeles and Orange County coastline. As the top Southern California producer, he was named company “Salesman of the Year“, in 1983.
The following year, Jay joined a start-up marine distribution company called Western Marketing. As the company's vice president, he directed sales, marketing and purchasing. Company sales in the first three years grew to $3.5 million.
Jay's career with Kettenburg Marine started in 1988; a wholesale/retail organization with three stores, wholesale division and boatyard. As Vice President of sales, Jay's duties included management of all company sales departments, marketing and purchasing. During this period gross profits and inventory turnover reached record levels.
In 1994, Jay started with San Diego Marine Exchange, a San Diego based distributor. His duties included development of new markets, creating company flyers and production of the company's first product catalog.
Jay joined West Coast Sales as a partner in 1995. He operates out of the San Diego office, which allows him to maintain a close relationship with his Southern California customers.
Additional experiences include serving as a director for the Southern California Marine Association from 1992 through 1995, as a director and one-term president of the National Marine Representatives Association from 2003-2007. Jay is a graduate of National University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.
John Godwin
Upon completing his schooling in Australia John moved to New Guinea to begin a career in accounting. After completing his accounting studies he then furthered his education with a Diploma in Motor engineering and 300HP Diesel certification.
After nine years in New Guinea John returned to Australia and took a position with Outboard Marine Australia. He started in the Service Training area as an instructor and eventually jointly attained the position of Service Training Administrator, and Assistant Australian Service Manager.
In 1977 John was given the opportunity to move to the United States taking a position as an instructor in the Seattle, Washington service school for OMC Corporation.
In pursuit of a career in sales, John became a manufacturer's representative with Seaport Marketing. In 1980, John was asked to take the position of Alaska Territory Manager of Sales and Service for Wright Outboard Marine.
In 1983 John was offered the position of Northwest Regional Manager for Boston Whaler Inc, a position he held until 1986. While in this position, John was often recognized for his outstanding sales and promotion efforts in his territory.
From 1986 to 1991 John returned to Wright Outboard as Sales Manager. While at Wright Outboard John guided this company to record sales and profits. From there he joined Roger Marlow as a partner in Marlow, Godwin and Associates.
During his association with Roger Marlow numerous factories have recognized their company, including LubriMatic Corporation, Astro Nautics and L.S. Brown for their outstanding sales and promotional achievements. In 1994, John purchased the remaining assets of Marlow, Godwin & Associates and has been operating as Pacific States Sales since that time.
In March of 1999 John formed a new partnership with West Coast Sales. As a partner in this new venture, John will maintain the Washington office and focus his sales efforts on his well-established customer base in the Northwest.
Mike Gerig
In 1976, Mike began a long-term career with GI Joes, a major Northwest retail chain based in Oregon.
While studying fire science at Chemekata Community College, Mike worked 7 years in the automotive field for GI Joes, opening 2 new stores for the chain.
In 1983 he was promoted to Distribution Center Foreman, directing inventory flow and managing warehouse shift crews, for the 10 stores open at that time.
Mike entered the Sporting Goods field in 1984 as a Sports manager for the new Salem store, overseeing a complete sports department of marine/fishing/outdoor and athletic goods.
In 1986 he was promoted to the position of Merchandise Coordinator, managing inventory and store design and layouts for the Sporting Goods division of GI Joes, as the company embarked on a massive merchandising makeover.
Mike was promoted to Buyer in 1992, for the Snow sports, Water sports, RV and Marine/ Boating centers, adding a large commitment of boats motors and trailers to the existing marine accessories dept. As Buyer, Mike controlled open to buy, sales, the marketing and advertising plan for these departments, consistently producing increased gross margins, and improving the mix.
Mike joined Marine Distributors Inc. based in Seattle Washington in 1994 as Oregon outside sales representative. While here he posted annual sales gains by assisting Marine dealers execute merchandising strategies, and setting up partnership programs, as well as working closely with the marine OEM builders in the Oregon territory.
Mike was excited to join West Coast Sales as a territory manager in February 2000. He operates out of his office in Salem, Oregon and is responsible for all sales in Oregon, Southern Idaho and Utah.
Russ Legg
Building upon a successful career in the food industry, Russ entered the marine marketplace in 1974 as Vice President of American Foreign Industries (AFI). During his tenure at AFI, Russ’s responsibilities included product development, production forecasting and the development of both OEM and aftermarket sales strategies.
In 1994 Russ joined the Bob Stoick Company as a regional sales representative. In this capacity, Russ managed the marine accounts in California, Arizona and Nevada. Sales grew significantly during this period based on Russ’s prior experience and insight with both the national and regional accounts in his territory.
Russ joined West Coast Sales as a territory manager in January 2002. He and his wife Barbara live in Northern California just east of the East Bay Area. We’re very excited to have Russ onboard as a member of our team based on his extensive knowledge of the account base, his valuable market insight and the incredible work ethic he brings to the job everyday.
Russ’s territory includes Northern California, Southern California (OEMs only) and Arizona. He has sales responsibility for all the markets in his territory, which includes marine, power sports, RV, sporting goods and the pool industry.
