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 four 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!

Shelley has been with Valley Marine for over a year. 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. 

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.

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

Gavin is new on staff, but he certainly isn’t new to Valley Marine, as he and his family are long-time customers. Raised in Gretna, his family used to be big demo car guys. He loves to spend his free time outdoors, being on the boat, hunting, fishing, and loving every day! Valley Marine is lucky to have Gavin, as he will go the extra mile to make things right for our customers.

Harre has been with Valley Marine for four 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.