About Us

I grew up in Valley and graduated from Valley High School. After high school, I attended the University of Nebraska where I earned a degree from the College of Engineering in Construction Management. I also had a short stint playing football while at Nebraska.

After a brief career working for Peter Kiewit & Sons, my wife Traci and I decided it would be in our best interests to take a bit of a risk and try something new. So, I traded my hardhat in for a pair of slalom skis, and we were suddenly in the boat business!

Traci and I came on board at Valley Marine in 2003 and have never looked back. As our business has evolved, so has our family. We have a daughter, and twins – affectionately known as “The Twinklers.” Traci and I used to think that owning our own business was difficult, but we now think it’s very easy compared to being parents of twins!

We love seeing our family work in the dealership and develop a passion for the business. Whether we’re working with new or used boats, trade-ins, or financing, It has always been our dream to create the kind of company that we would want to work for, and we can’t thank our customers enough for supporting us in doing something we love!

Kyle has spent more than half of his life at Valley Marine and, therefore, has worn many hats for the company. Whether he is storing, picking-up, delivering or selling a boat, he takes true pride in providing the highest quality of personal service to our customers! Outside of work, Kyle has a strong passion for baseball, but there is nothing more important to him than his role as a father and a husband.

Steve has been at Valley Marine for three years. With extensive experience in mechanics and service, he goes above and beyond for our customers with repair needs and helps address questions about their boats. As someone who lives on the lake himself with his wife, two kids, and two dogs, Steve is an avid boater and loves being on the water. If he isn’t on the water, you just may see him out riding a motorcycle!

While fairly new to Valley Marine, Shelley isn’t new to the Omaha area, having spent most of her life here. With a diverse background and a positive demeanor, she is willing to help our customers in any way she can. An animal lover and a sports fanatic, you can find Shelley with her husband and two college kids cheering on their favorite teams or chilling with their two cats. Special shoutout to #5 on the Arkansas Razorback Volleyball team! 

Chad Karmann is a technician’s technician. When it comes to fixing what appears to be unfixable, see Chad. With over 20 years of experience in marine mechanics, Chad consistently leads by example in the boat service department at Valley Marine. Taking pride in his work, Chad loves the world of mechanics and maintenance, and will have your boat back running like new in no time. In his spare time, Chad enjoys either playing his guitar or spending time at the lake.

From a young age, Matt Queen knew he wanted to work with marine mechanics, and he followed his passion immediately. After graduating from Florida’s Marine Mechanics Institute in 2006, Matt began his career as a service technician. Since then, his passion and dedication to his craft and career have never faltered, as he brings that commitment to Valley Marine every day. In his spare time, Matt enjoys boating and is passionate about being on the water, in general.

When it comes to dedication to his craft, Chris Buxcel’s passion for service and maintenance is hard to match. With more than 15 years of service at Valley Marine, Chris takes pride in applying his immense knowledge of mechanics to any problem a customer brings in. Not only does his dedication show in his work, but his positive disposition radiates through the shop. In his spare time, Chris enjoys cooking barbecue and spending time with family and friends.

Craig may only have two years at Valley Marine but he has 25 years of overall mechanical experience. Mercury certified in 2009, he is quite an expert with Mercury Motors! Craig considers himself a pretty simple guy, but another fun fact about him is that he loves Hot Rods!

Reggie spent much of his childhood on Lewis and Clark Lake in South Dakota, where his love for the water began. A graduate of Boat Mechanic School in Pensacola, he worked at Valley Marine early in his career. Now he’s back! Reggie enjoys spending time with his new wife, Kaylee and his dog, Bo. He looks forward to raising a family and making more memories with his family and friends on the water!

Harre has been with Valley Marine for three years. We are lucky enough to have his help with pretty much everything around here! He is the master of making sure your boat is delivered in a timely manner and with a smile. A lover of all sports, he also enjoys doing anything outdoors, whether it’s throwing a line in the water or cruising on a boat. Another fun fact is that Harre is a talented musician who loves to play his guitar.

Hunter is new to Valley Marine and will continue to help out on summer breaks, as he is currently studying Entrepreneurship at Grand Canyon University. He grew up on the water and loves nothing more than boating, wakeboarding, and surfing all day long! Making memories on the water with his family and friends is what it’s all about for Hunter.