Nordic Tug President Jim Cress Killed In Motorcycle Accident

Burlington, Wash. (Oct. 21, 2008) – Jim Cress, president/CEO of Nordic Tugs^®, Inc., and owner of Nordic Tugs’ largest dealership, SkipperCress Yacht Sales of Anacortes, Wash., passed away at 3:45 pm on Sat., Oct. 18, 2008, from injuries suffered as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Born on May 13, 1946 in Chicago, Ill., 62-year-old Cress joined Nordic Tugs in 1989 as sales manager. He left the company in 1993 to start SkipperCress Yacht Sales, Nordic Tugs’ northwest dealer. Always passionate about Nordic Tugs, Cress and a small group of investors purchased the company on Dec. 13, 1996, and he has served as the company’s president/CEO for a majority of the past 12 years.

Cress enjoyed boating, motorcycles and sprint cars, but his main passion in life was his family. He leaves behind family members including his wife Stephanie, three sons, Jeff, Allen and Steven, along with three grandchildren, plus many friends and coworkers whose lives he touched.

“Jim was passionate about Nordic Tugs, and this came through in all aspects of his lengthy career with the company,” stated Nordic Tugs founder Jerry Husted, who retired in Dec. 2007. “He was a lively person - always exuberant, but at the same time showing a great deal of humility, and this combination of traits matured into amazing leadership qualities. Jim was a fun guy to be around, and I'm proud to have been associated with him in the boat business. He will be sorely missed by all of us.”

Jim Cress 1946 - 2008