Staff - Locations

STAFF:

John Brightwell Contact John

John's lifelong passion has always been about boating. After dedicating over 30 years of his life to marine customer service with other boat dealers in Iowa, in July 2007 John and his wife Leslie opened Brightwell's Boathouse Inc. in Urbandale. His passion for boating began when he was about 5 years old at his dad's boat business in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. John's dad sold Larson, Naden, Thompson, Chetek, Yellow Jacket and Brunswick boats and he was one of the first boat dealers in Iowa to sell Mercury Outboard Motors. The store design at Brighwell's Boathouse will not be like other boat dealers in Iowa. It will feature a 3000 sq. ft. parts and accessory department combined with online ordering and a rewards program for our loyal customers. The entire staff is very proud of their new boat dealership in Urbandale, Iowa and are very excited to be joining a fine group of boat dealers in Iowa who work hard to promote a fun family boating experience.

Thanks for your interest in BRIGHTWELL'S BOATHOUSE and the opportunity to serve all of your boating needs.

 

Leslie Brightwell Contact Leslie

Leslie’s love of boating began with annual trips to Leech Lake as a young girl with her parents and family. Those experiences led to a love of boating for her parents as well who have a boat and home in Charlevoix, Michigan. The family spends a lot of time there each summer and also time skiing and snowmobiling there each winter. Leslie is also the driving force behind the Des Moines area Angler Young Angler fishing tournament held in June at Big Creek Marina. Dedicated to the development of the AYA program, she also serves on the committee for the AYA Fundraising Banquet in Minneapolis. Along with boating, Leslie also has a passion for travel and horses. Leslie and daughter Ashley showed horses for many years together, and are still involved in horse activities and functions. She enjoys living with John, son Ross, and John’s daughter Cassie on their acreage west of Adel.

 

Ashley Zika Contact Ashley

Ashley is Leslie‘s daughter. She is a 2007 graduate of Simpson College with a Major in Marketing and a Minor in Accounting. She started her career in the Marine industry in 2003 working part time for John. She also bought her first new boat in 2004 and is an avid fan of the water. With Ashley’s knowledge of the marine industry and her college education we are extremely fortunate to have her with us.

 

 

Ross Reynolds

Ross is Leslie’s son and one of the youngest members of the Lund Pro Staff. He is 13 and enjoys fishing as well as school athletics, with football being his favorite. Ross had the catch and experience of a lifetime in August 2008 while in Kenora, CA helping with the International AYA tournament. He was asked to go fishing with Pro Craig Stapon and was lucky enough to land a 52” muskie, as well as a few other good size fish! You can find Ross helping out at boat shows through the season as well as trying his hand at some cleaning and helping the guys in the shop during the summer months.

Nick Greenslade Contact Nick

Nick started in the Marine repair industry in 2004 and before that was involved in his fathers automotive repair business. Since working in the marine industry Nick has become certified by Mercury Marine for service on Mercruiser engines and sterndrives and is also a Mercury Verado 4 stroke Certified Technician. Nick has also completed the following classes with Mercury Marine; Marine Tech Fundamentals, Fuel Systems, Smart Craft & Smart Craft DTS, CDS Systems,Mercruiser EFI, Mercruiser Alpha & Bravo Drives and he just received his certificate from Mercury as a Mercury outboard 4-Stroke Specialist. Nick and his wife Shelby have two children Cooper and Kelsey and live in the Adel area. Nick is passionate about helping people and will go that extra mile to get you back out on the water as soon as possible. We are proud to have Nick part of our team.

 

Nick Saul Contact Nick

Nick remembers the fun they had as a family on the Mississippi River in Dubuque. Every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day was spent on the houseboat. Now with a family of my own, he loves taking them out on the water for swimming, skiing, tubing, fishing and uninterrupted family fun! No work, no Play Station and no computers!

Nick has worked in Marine Sales and Customer Service for eight years. He makes it a goal to be sure all of our customers are comfortable with their new boat. We are here for our customers long after the sale!

 

Randy Brightwell Contact Randy

Randy switched to the marine business in 1987 after 16 years in automotive service and parts. Now with 20 years behind him in repairing and servicing stern drives and outboards, Randy has joined our staff.  An avid boater and fisherman, Randy is a member of the Des Moines Powerboat Club, and the Izaak Walton League. Most weekends May thru September, Randy can be found on the Des Moines river enjoying boating and maybe catching some fish. Randy also enjoys riding his bike on the Des Moines and Saylorville bike trails. John is very proud to have his brother Randy join the team at Brightwell's Boathouse. With Randy's experience, organization and commitment we are extremely fortunate to have him.

 

Dave Freylack Contact Dave

Dave has grown up around boating, spending many of this boating days on the Des Moines River. In 1968 his family opened “Birdland Marine” where Dave spent 26 years serving Des Moines boaters and the marine industry. The Des Moines floods of 1993 took out their store.

Dave and his wife Peggy have two grown daughters Lindsay and Sarah. In his spare time you can find Dave fishing or working on his antique outboard collection in his “galodge”. (Ask Dave the definition of “galodge”and about all of his antique boating equipment!). Dave also enjoys following motor sports and cooking.

John and Dave have know each other for many years thru the Marine Industry and Dave is very excited to join the “Brightwell’s Boathouse” family. As he knows, we always put the customer first!

 

Mark Ellison Contact Mark

Mark is from the Ankeny area and grew up camping and fishing with his family. He started in the boat business in 1983 at Des Moines Boating Center and worked in the boating industry for 10 years. In 1997 Mark took up residential construction but continued to work on boats on his own.

Mark is very knowledgeable in the marine service area and has attended school and has practical experience in OMC, Mercruiser and MercOutboard. Mark has also completed the following courses with Mercury Marine; Marine Tech Fundamentals, Fuel Systems, Electrical Systems, Outboard Systems and Mercruiser.

Mark has know John and Randy for many years and is excited to be back in the boating industry. He looks forward to seeing many old friends and faces.

Mark and his wife Terri have a daughter Shelbee. In his spare time enjoy fishing and boating on the Des Moines River.

 

Steve Pair Contact Steve

Steve has been around boats all of his life and came from a family of outdoorsmen. With a yearly trip to Minnesota for the past thirty years, the entire Pair family enjoys spending time on the water. Steve has been in the marine industry since 2001, and prior to that, he was in the glass and construction business. His specialty is rigging and setting up boats for maximum performance and speed.

Living in Ankeny, Steve and his wife Susan have two girls, Amanda and Lauren. In his spare time, he is an avid bass angler and participates in local bass tournaments whenever he can. Other than fishing, Steve spends time coaching softball, riding his motorcycle, and duck hunting most of the fall.

Steve is very dedicated to his work and believes in customer satisfaction. In addition, Steve knows what fisherman want and need when they are out on the water. He is a perfectionist when it comes to boats and is committed to each boat he works on as if it was his own.

 

Kevin Burt Contact Kevin

Having grown up between Saylorville and Big Creek Lakes, fishing and boating have always been a big part of my life. I have worked for the Saylorville Marina and managed the boat rental at Big Creek in the years past. I enjoy meeting folks that come through the door at Brightwell's Boathouse. It's great to be able to help them find their boat and get them out on the water. It's all about having a good time. I look forward to seeing you at Brightwells' and up on the lake real soon.

 

 

Andy Hick Contact Andy

Andy joined the marine industry at Brightwells Boathouse in the summer of 2008 after graduating from DMACC as an Automotive Technician. He has been working in the automotive business since 2004. He enjoys being around boats as well as working on them. Andy currently obtained his 4-stroke Specialist Certification from Mercury Marine. In his free time Andy enjoys racing motocross, a passion he has had for a long time. Aside from that, in the Fall Andy looks forward to deer and pheasant hunting.

 

Ben Nelsen Contact Ben

Ben grew up in a small town in northwest Iowa which started his love for the outdoors.  He attended Iowa Lakes Community College majoring in marine and small engines.  Since graduating Ben has been a mechanic in the marine business for the past 9 1/2 years.  Ben has kept up to date on all of the continuous changes in the marine business by attending classes at Mercury University, completing classes from old motors to current Mercury models and everything in between.  During his free time Ben enjoys many outdoor hobbies.  He is an avid fisherman and enjoys bass tournaments on occasion.  He loves to hunt, snowmobile, and anything on the water.  He also enjoys playing pool during the week.  Ben is currently living in Ankeny with his girlfriend Kim and their two cats Elliott and Oliver.

Terry McGee Contact Terry

Terry has been a lifelong boating enthusiast. As a young boy he enjoyed weekends on Lake Delhi in eastern Iowa where his family had a cabin for over 20 years. Fishing and skiing were his passion then and still are. He looks forward to fishing trips to Canada and northern Minnesota every year. Terry owns a cabin in northeast Iowa where he and his wife Judi take their family of 5 kids and 2 grand kids on weekends to fish, ski, and tube. Terry looks forward to helping customers find the right boat that will meet their family's every need.

 

LOCATIONS:

As one of the newest and most aggressive boat dealers in Iowa we are proud to be able to offer sales and service at two locations:

Saylorville Lake Marina
6170 N.W. Polk City Drive
Polk City, IA 50220
Phone: 515-984-7700
Fax: 515-984-7708

Brightwell's Boathouse
9943 Hickman Road Suite 109
Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: 515-276-0093
Fax: 515-276-6099