Our Team

Cimmarina History

1972 - Cimmarina came into existence at the marina in Sioux City, IA by Iowa Public Service (now MidAmerican Energy. IPS owned Cimmarina for the first 11 years.

1983 - Cimmarina was bought by Chuck Cooley from IPS.

1992 - After spending the first 20 years at the Sioux City marina, Cimmarina was forced to move with the City of Sioux City's "new" Missouri River Front Development Plan. The City of Sioux City opted to buy out its lease agreement and purchase the companies buildings. The development plans did not include a marine sales and service presence at the marina, and still does not to this day.

In April of 1992, owners Chuck Cooley and Tony Simoni moved Cimmarina to its current location at 1909 Broadway in Dakota City, NE. Relocating business operations allowed for expansion, which doubled the sales and service area.

2004 - Tony and Judi Simoni bought out their partner, Chuck Cooley, and became sole owner/operators of Cimmarina Boats.

2018 - Cimmarina was bought by Russ Hodges from Tony and Judi Simoni.

Russ' mission is to give customers the ultimate experience for ALL their boating needs. We will embrace great Boat Prices, Extensive Inventory of Parts and a Certified Service Shop that is Second to None.

Our goal is to create long lasting relationships by treating customers fairly, selling quality products and exceptional service.
Cimmarina truly is your "One Stop Boat Shop".

Staff

Russ Hodges
Russ Hodges bought Cimmarina Boats April 1, 2018 from Tony and Judi Simoni. Cimmarina Boats was founded in 1972 by Iowa Public Service and its legacy was continued by Chuck Cooley {1983), Tony and Judi Simoni {2004)... and now Russ Hodges.

Russ is not new to the marine industry. Russ has been, and still is, owner of Quality Marine in South Sioux City, NE which has been a marine service shop since 2000. Russ comes with extensive knowledge and management skills in the service industry from years with Knoepfler Chevrolet and Quality Marine.

Russ' vision is to continue to grow Cimmarina as one of the premier marine service and sales shops in the Midwest. Cimmarina will stock more new boats (Lund, SeaArk, Silverwave Pontoons, Bayliner, Premier Pontoons, Mercury and Suzuki Engines, Shoreland'r trailers) than it has in 10 years.


Mike McManamy
Mike is a lifelong Siouxland resident who grew up around boating. With his step­ father (Tony Simoni) starting work at Cimmarina in 1972, that meant a lot of time on and around the water. He graduated from Sioux City East High School before attending Morningside College and Kansas State University to play football. Mike has spent most of his adult life helping people achieve their dreams; with 8 years in Real Estate (Homeland Realty), 20+ years in construction and restoration (Builder Services, WA Klinger and Builder Services Restoration-Fire/Water/Mold).

Mike joined Cimmarina Boats in 2011 as parts manager and to help with front office operations. In 2012, his role expanded to even more front office operations (parts, warranty, accounts receivable, boat storage, service writing, new boat packaging, new/used boat sales etc.) with the owners spending 3 months in Arizona every year.

With the sale of Cimmarina Boats to Russ Hodges in 2018, Mike is able to focus more on New/Used Sales, Promotions, Social Media and Customer Relations.


Jared McManamy
Jared has lived in the Siouxland area his entire life. He graduated from Sioux City East High School and then continued his education at the University of South Dakota entering into the Business School. After a year at USD, his interest kept pulling at him to enter the marine industry. He began working at Cimmarina Boats in the spring of 2015. In the fall of 2016 he enrolled at Iowa Lakes Community College. Jared graduated from ILCC's two year Marine Service and Technology program, earning his Applied Associate of Science Degree, finishing in the top 1% of his class in 2018.


Ann Marie Persinger
Anne Marie met, befriended and worked with Russ Hodges back in the 90's at Knoepfler Cheverolet.

Ann Marie spent 10½ years in the military, doing both reserve and active duty. While in the military she worked in finance, petroleum supply, and became a truck driver after Sept. 11.

After the military she managed a pistachio ranch in New Mexico, where they created thier own pistachio wine. Following that, Ann Marie worked for the Outfitters doing big game hunts in the wilderness of the Grand Tetons.

Ann Marie's "Universe was then altered" when she became a mom, and she found herself working back at Knoepfler Cheverolet. Russ found here there asked her to work for him on his new adventure at Cimmarina Boats.


Eugene Lahn
Eugene Lahn, aka "The Boat Doctor", has been involved in the boat business for over 40 years. He achieved an OMC Sterndrive Master Tech in 1989 and has been a Certified Tech in Mercury outboards and Mercruiser Sterndrives since 1985.


Mick Gamet
Mick Gamet started at Thacker Marine in 1977 as a gas dock attendant, working his way up to become a mechanic. He attended the Evinrude school in the winter of 1977 and has experience servicing Mercruiser, OMC, Evinrude and Johnson outboards.

Mick worked at the House of Suzuki Marina in Huntington Beach, CA in 1986, returning to Sioux City in 1987 to work industrial mainenance at IBP and Palmer Candy. He has experience in mechanical, welding and electrical.

From 2003 - 2009 Mick worked as a boat mechanic at Cimmarine Boats, NE, servicing all makes and models while attending service training schools during the winters. Mick has 3 certificates from Mercury and 1 from Lund.

He left Cimmarina Boats to own the Chesterfield, but came back Cimmarina Boats in April of 2018.