Michael Potter, Director of Online Merchandising

Raised in the marine industry, Michael has a passion for boating passed down from his father– who spent his career working for Chris Craft, Crestliner, Pearson Yachts, and Outboard Marine Corporation.

Michael discovered the thrill of power boating when he upgraded his first boat (a Sunfish) to a wooden dinghy with a 9.9hp Johnson outboard. As a youngster he learned to water ski behind a Boston Whaler with a 40hp Mercury outboard. Since then he has owned a variety of boats, including a 10' Zodiac inflatable and a Catalina 25 sailboat.

He has worked in the marine industry his entire career, finally docking at West Marine as part of the Private Label team in 2005. In late 2006, he took on the new assignment of Online Merchandising. Prior to joining West Marine, Michael lead various sales and marketing teams for Johnson Outboards, Tiara Yachts, Sunbird Boats, OMC Stern Drive, and OMC Parts & Accessories.

He is married and has raised two children. He lives primarily in Colorado, but he stays in Monterey, CA during the week while working out of West Marine’s Watsonville Support Center.