Markey Machine Names Eric Rose President & CEO

Eric Rose assumes leadership of the nearly 120-year-old Seattle marine winch manufacturer as part of an ownership transition.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a single marine winch drum wrapped in coiled steel cable on a plain slate-blue field, representing an industrial leadership transition. — Markey Machine, the nearly 120-year-old Seattle marine winch maker, named Eric Rose President & CEO as part of an ownership transition that also brought Jeff Dempke into a senior operations role. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Markey Machine, a Seattle-based maker of marine winches and deck machinery, has completed an ownership and leadership transition with Eric Rose as President & CEO. Rose acquired an ownership stake in the company as part of the change.

Why it matters

The transition brings new investment from within the organization to a company nearly 120 years old. Leadership continuity is supported by long-tenured insiders staying in key roles.

The announcement cites a company history of nearly 120 years and a 48-year career for Blaine Dempke, who remains involved as Advisor Emeritus. Financial terms of the ownership transfer, including the size of Rose's stake and the level of Jeff Dempke's increased investment, were not disclosed.

The players

Markey Machine

Markey Machine is a Seattle-based manufacturer of marine winches and deck machinery that is nearly 120 years old.

Eric Rose

Eric Rose is the newly appointed President & CEO of Markey Machine who acquired an ownership stake in the company.

Jeff Dempke

Jeff Dempke is a longtime Markey Machine employee of more than 20 years who was promoted to Director of Business Operations and increased his ownership investment.

The details

Eric Rose assumed the role of President & CEO and acquired an ownership stake in the company. Jeff Dempke was promoted to Director of Business Operations and increased his ownership investment, while Casey McGarity serves as Chief Financial Officer and Scott Kreis as Vice President of Sales & Engineering.

Article announcing the completed ownership and leadership transition was published November 6, 2026.

Market Landscape

Markey Machine's leadership change comes from within a nearly 120-year-old Seattle manufacturer rather than through an outside acquisition, extending a multi-decade tenure that includes Blaine Dempke's 48-year career. The company's expansion of its Markey Authorized Technician network into East and Gulf Coast regions positions it to compete on regional service access in the marine equipment sector.

Customers and service partners of Markey Machine may see expanded regional service access as the company develops its Markey Authorized Technician network, led by Ryan Hogge from Jacksonville, Florida. The continuity of long-tenured insiders in leadership roles suggests stability in the company's product and service relationships.

The takeaway

Leadership transitions that move ownership within an established company often preserve institutional knowledge while introducing new investment. Readers following similar succession situations can watch for whether insider stakeholders remain in advisory or operational roles.