Kennesaw, GA

Yamaha Marine Group has graduated the first seven district service representatives from its new Certified Master Technician Program.

The Kennesaw, Ga.-based company designed the program to improve customer service.

Donald Meyer, of Breezy Point, Minn., was the first to be named a master technician. He was followed by: Ralph Buffington of Alta Loma, Calif.; Curt Gilliam of Nixa, Mo.; Anthony DePasquale of Henderson, Md.; Richard Sivils of Crossett, Ark.; David Mitas of White, Ga.; and Tony Terry of Lumberton, Texas.

“By encouraging our dealers to take part in the Master Technician Program, Yamaha hopes that it will raise the bar for customer satisfaction and improve the boating experience,” James Mills, national service manager for the Marine Group, said in a statement.

Yamaha spent five years developing the program, which comprises six, weeklong classes. Upon completion of the classes, participants take a 100-question exam. The classes cover outboard systems, fuel systems, four-stroke systems, drivetrain systems and electrical systems.