As part of our women in manufacturing focus, Boston Whaler would like to thank Liz Bell for 21 years of service at Boston Whaler. Liz Bell started at Boston Whaler in 1997 when women in boat manufacturing was not very common. She began her career in hull lamination building nine boats per day – 11 and 13’ foot Tenders and GLS’s. She has worked in lamination her entire 21-year career building most models from 11-42’ at Boston Whaler working in hull, deck lamination or small part lamination.
Liz worked several years as a team leader prior to the economic downturn in 2008-09. Liz has trained hundreds of new employees taking pride and ensuring quality in both her work and in the training of many new employees. Her daughter, Jessica Ogden, was recently promoted to Boston Whaler’s training team as the FRP/Lamination Trainer bringing that same work ethic and focus on quality to Boston Whaler’s Hourly Training Program, which began in 2014.
Liz has two children, Jessica and Brandon, and one grandson Andrew. Liz recently purchased a 18.6’ Key West boat as part of her retirement plan even though her husband of 38 years, Neil, already owns a boat. Her one great passion in life besides her children and grandchild, is fishing. She loves to saltwater fish for trout, redfish and any other saltwater species along the Indian River Lagoon. She releases most of her catch.
When asked what she would do after she retired, she replied, “Fish of course!” Her team asked her what else she would do and she said, “I plan to fish Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and if my daughter Jessica can join me, I will fish on Friday too.” Her weekends are reserved to freshwater fish with her husband Neil Bell.
Everyone at Boston Whaler thanks Liz for her 21 years of service and commitment to the brand, quality, and team and sincerely hopes that Liz enjoys fishing every single day!