Saxdor Names Eric Lindquist Interim CEO as Erna Rusi Departs

Saxdor Yachts has appointed Eric Lindquist as interim chief executive while it searches for a permanent successor to Erna Rusi. The leadership transition brings the relationship with parent company Malibu Boats into focus, alongside Saxdor's stated intention to retain its own identity and close connections with dealers and owners.

A Temporary Appointment During the Search

IBI reports that Erna Rusi is stepping down and that Eric Lindquist will take interim charge. Saxdor's announcement, published under the company's name by PressMare, identifies Lindquist as chief growth officer of Malibu Boats, Inc.

The announcement thanks Rusi for five years of leadership and confirms a search for a new CEO. It also describes international expansion, innovation and dealer-network development as continuing priorities. It does not name a permanent successor or set a date for completing the recruitment process.

For readers following the business, that establishes the immediate position: there is an interim leader in place while the longer-term appointment remains open. The statement gives no basis for attributing the departure to a particular operational problem or an undisclosed disagreement.

A Brand Within a Larger Group

Malibu Boats acquired Saxdor earlier in 2026. The leadership update now makes an explicit commitment to the brand's continued autonomy. Lindquist states:

“We are committed to preserving Saxdor’s autonomy” — Eric Lindquist, in Saxdor's announcement.

The same statement describes Saxdor continuing as a standalone global brand. That is the company's stated direction, rather than a detailed account of how every responsibility will be organised during the transition.

From an ownership perspective, the useful questions concern the points where a corporate change becomes a practical experience. Who answers an order enquiry? How is a dealer supported? Which team explains a product decision? Clear answers can give the announcement meaning for people who rarely follow a manufacturer's management structure.

What Continuity Means Outside the Boardroom

A dealer or prospective buyer may reasonably want to understand whether an existing conversation carries on with the same people. The source announcement does not report changes to particular orders, warranty terms or customer commitments, so none should be inferred from the CEO appointment alone.

For AUVEMARE, the next relevant developments are the permanent leadership appointment and any specific decisions the company subsequently announces over the months to come. Those will offer a firmer basis for discussing direction than speculation about the reasons behind the departure.

Meanwhile, Saxdor has made its public priorities clear enough to create a point of reference. The interesting follow-up will be how a future leader gives those priorities practical form across the brand's relationships. A transition earns confidence through understandable decisions and consistent communication over time. An interim appointment begins that period; it cannot tell the entire story in advance.

Source: Saxdor Yachts — official announcement published by PressMare