Meet Our Sales and Service Staff

Rick Dieterich, CPYB
Executive VP/General Manager

My passion for boats began at the early age of 8. While attending camp in Weld, Maine I enrolled in a Red Cross sailing certification program where I learned to sail and race on the Tech Dinghy. Three years later I reached the rank of "First Mate". Then at age 12 I continued on with Laser and Blue Jay racing locally in Connecticut. I also spent the summers, from ages 12-15, serving as crew aboard a beautiful Ohlson 38 homeported right here in Crocker's Boatyard!

Next I served as crew aboard my father's Beneteau First 38 "Yankee" for 10 years. We sailed and did a few club races in Lake Michigan, Duxbury Massachusetts, and Buzzard's Bay. I attended college at Northwestern University and the University of Denver where I majored in Business. Shortly thereafter I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent 4 years aboard a nuclear fast-attack submarine (USS Whale SSN 638).

After an honorable discharge in 1990, I pursued a 14-year career in the retail automotive industry. I spent 7 years selling, then 4 years as a Sales Manager, and finally spent 3 years in a General Sales Manager position. During 7 years of sales management, one of my primary responsibilities was to train my sales force in professional customer service, satisfaction, retention and follow-up.

Thanks to Vin and the crew at Hellier Yacht Sales, I now have the opportunity to marry my vast sales experience with my passion for sailing and yachts! My goal is to provide you with the best buying or selling experience you've ever had. I strive to exceed all expectations in everything I do.

John Zomermaand
Yacht Broker

I spent my teen years in Holland, Michigan and lived barely three miles from one of the "Great Lakes" - Lake Michigan. Being of Dutch Heritage I was immediately drawn to the waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.

My first boat, a 22 ft. Pontoon, was purchased with ten high school buddies. We navigated the waters of Lake Michigan between Holland and Saugatuck, Michigan. As you might imagine, we polished our boating skills as well as our social skills during the two summers we owned that boat.

Over the years I've owned a number of boats both sail and power, currently I own a 32 ft Pacific Seacraft PH "Nouvelle", moored in Stonington, Connecticut. I'm also a member of the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club. I've sailed extensively in the Caribbean, mostly in the British Virgin Islands. On my list of personal goals was to qualify for a USCG Captain's license, which I was awarded in 2005.

For a few short years my boating cycle was interrupted by college and the beginning of my business career. After college and a few short-term job-stops later, I landed at Friendly Ice Cream. I worked my way through the organization including a stop in Troy, Ohio (no water there). However, in May of 2006, after 33 terrific years at Friendly's, the last ten as Vice-President of manufacturing, I retired. That summer as a retiree, I could pick and choose the locations and days of sailing, but something was missing - my enthusiastic nature to help customers.

One of our goals at Friendly Ice Cream was to create a product and experience that would exceed our customer's expectations. That is precisely what the Hellier Yacht Sales Team is all about. My goal at Hellier's is to use my experience in business and passion for boating to help our customers receive the yachting experience they desire.

Bill Conroy
Yacht Broker

My love for boating started in 1973 in a 14' runabout that I used to explore the Thames River from Norwich to the Sound during my father's last tour of duty at the Groton Subbase. Originally from San Diego, but as part of a Navy family I traveled and lived around the world; including Hawaii and Iceland, which are still two of my favorite places.

In the late seventies I started an auto detailing business, and in the early eighties it lead me into marine detailing. For the past 24 years I have been hard at work doing bright work, gelcoat and fiberglass repairs, detailing, exterior restoration and paint work on power and sailing yachts. During some of the off seasons I would work on commercial lobster, fishing and charter boats or help the local marina haul boats, unstep masts and prepare boats for winter storage.

With some of my free time I have sailed with friends from New York along the New England coast to Maine and Canada, and have also boated around the Abacos and Exuma Islands in the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and the British and US Virgin Islands.

In 1994 I started working with Hellier Yacht Sales as a sub-contractor preparing new yachts as well as trade-ins for delivery. Now thanks to Vin and Rick I have the opportunity to step into a Yacht Broker position and really become a part of the Hellier Team. I can not think of anything better than selling a product that I know and trust. I have always enjoyed working with Hellier's because they are passionate and enthusiastic boating people. I look forward to bringing my years in marine services and my varied boating experience to our customers.

Verne Ray
Service Manager

Hellier's Service Manager Verne Ray has been with HYS for 25 years.

His experience and expertise in all phases of the yacht commissioning and customer delivery process will ensure your trouble free enjoyment of your new boat.

Please contact him for all service and warranty questions.