posted 06-27-2014 11:20 AM ET (US)        

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Birthday_Honours

As just Dr. George Buckley--he has both an earned Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and an honorary Ph.D.-- he came to Mercury as president of that operating unit as it was developing a new engine platform, at the time called Project-X, and later introduced as the VERADO. Soon afterward he became CEO of Brunswick. During this time Brunswick began growing as a technology company, acquiring electronic manufacturer NAVMAN, and creating a new division, Brunswick New Technologies, which operated a number of small technology companies.

In 2005 he was hired away from Brunswick to become CEO of 3M. He held that position for seven years until he reached age 65 in 2012, when corporate policy required him to retire. He has since remained very active in business, holding positions on several boards of directors for major corporations.

A recent British newspaper article gives an interesting account of Sir George's life, which began in the most modest of circumstances and has now progressed to his becoming a rather wealthy and highly respected individual:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/ george-buckley-from-yorkshire-slum-to-american-dream-8860127.html

Sir George recently presented his thoughts on business management at a British university--Six Winning Principles for Business Success:

http://extra.shu.ac.uk/sbsblog/2013/06/ six-winning-principles-for-business-success-the-sir-george-buckley-way/

It was my distinct pleasure to meet George Buckley and have a brief moment of conversation with him at the 2004 Miami International Boat Show, which was the time and place of the unveiling of the VERADO.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/cetaceaPage77.html

posted 06-30-2014 04:08 PM ET (US)            

[Pulls some quoted material from one of the articles linked above, in which Sir George comments:]

"I took a hard look at myself: I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t gamble, I don’t look at another woman unless I’m with her. I don’t do any crazy things – I love history, fly-fishing and cars. Maybe she was right, I am boring,” he says, laughing at himself now.

Got to love this guy and would most certainly be pleased to have made his acquaintance and after having read of his hobbies (Cars, reading history and cleaning the house).

I think that Jim here will be a strong Whaler influence and take him water touring ASAP.

Nice photos of LHG and Wil Rogers and of good ole Jim with his preferred Mercury Verado. I did not know that Jimbo was a Royalist [i.e., keeps track of the Royals of the U.K.] but enjoyed re-visiting the 2004 Miami boat show.