Posted on November 9, 2026
Ownership of US deck machinery manufacturer Markey Machine has changed and new finance has been secured for investment in its workforce and technical support.
Eric Rose has assumed the position of president and chief executive at the Seattle-headquartered company and joined its ownership group alongside long-serving Jeff Dempke, who has been promoted to director of business operations and has increased his ownership investment.
Blaine Dempke, whose 48-year career helped shape Markey’s products and business across the maritime industry, will remain involved as an advisor.
This transition brings new investment from within the company to enhance its product support and project management within the maritime industry.
“What Blaine built is remarkable, and I do not take it lightly,” said Mr Rose. “Markey’s name means something on the water because of the people who have stood behind this equipment for generations,” he said.
“My job is to carry that forward; invest in our team and make sure Markey is just as dependable for the next generation of crews.”
During his career, Blaine Dempke helped guide Markey through changes in vessel design, marine technology and vessel owner expectations.
The ownership transition is supported by a leadership team covering engineering, manufacturing, financial management and customer services.
Alongside Mr Rose and Jeff Dempke, the team includes chief financial officer Casey McGarity, vice president of sales and engineering Scott Kreis and vice president of operations Art Wheatley.
Markey has also appointed Ryan Hogge as vice president of product support and Nick Loeffler as director of project management.
“We have an incredible foundation to build on,” Mr Rose said. “The knowledge within this company, the quality of our people and the trust our customers have placed in Markey are things we take seriously.
“Our goal is to honour what Blaine and generations before him have built, while making Markey an even stronger, more responsive partner to the maritime industry for the next 120 years.”
