Employee Spotlight: Jeff “Duke” Duclos
Meet Jeff “Duke” Duclos, our Somerset Yard metal shop Foreman and invaluable member of the Bristol Marine team for the past 9 years. Duke’s expertise in innovative design and exotic machining processes has been instrumental in transforming our metal shop into the powerhouse it is today.
Duke’s path to Bristol Marine is as unique as his skillset. His welding career began at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School and advanced during his time in the Navy’s 7th Fleet on an aircraft carrier out of Japan. After his military service, Duke spent over a decade working for the Navy in Japan, where he met his wife, Naoko. The couple moved back to the States when their first daughter was a year old, chasing the American dream, where their second daughter was born the following year.
What sets Duke apart is his intense dedication to his craft. Known for passionate, hands-on involvement in designs, Duke puts his personal stamp on every project. “It’s different every single day—no boat is the same,” he shares, reflecting on what fuels his love for the job. The constant variety, along with ever-evolving concepts and principles, keeps him engaged and continually learning. Duke’s philosophy is simple yet profound: “Success is being happy with what you’re doing.”
Duke takes great pride in his role in developing the Somerset Yard. He joined the yard in its early days, describing his decision as taking a risk but trusting in the potential of what it could become. Over time, he has witnessed the transformation from a barebones space into a fully operational machine shop, a journey that Duke has been involved in every step of the way. As the yard grew, so did Duke’s responsibilities.
Duke thrives as foreman, building a team that not only delivers high-quality work today but is also poised for future success. In March 2021, Duke hired Kene Barlow, a seasoned professional with extensive experience, particularly in aluminum fabrication. From the start, the two developed a strong chemistry, allowing Kene to seamlessly adapt to Bristol Marine’s culture. More recently, Duke added Aiden Foley to his team. Aiden initially joined as an apprentice from Diman Vocational School in Fall River, MA. While he didn’t have the polished metal fabrication skills to produce immediately, he did have the attitude, dedication, and perseverance required to succeed. With Duke’s close oversight and mentorship, Aiden joined Bristol Marine as a full-time employee shortly after his graduation and is now a key contributor at our Somerset yard.
Outside of work, Duke is a devoted family man. A lifelong guitar player and avid fisherman, he prioritizes spending much of his free time with his high school-aged daughters, Molly and Sophie. Recently, Duke’s eldest daughter, Molly, started working at Bristollite, Bristol Marine’s property management division. He sees much of himself in her, noting her interest in creativity and hands-on work. For Duke, it’s a proud moment to see Molly carrying on the legacy of craftsmanship, as she currently attends the same vocational high school that her father did. His younger daughter, Sophie, is forging her own path, with interests in the medical field, specifically as an ultrasound technician. She currently works at a daycare service, where she independently earned her Red Cross certifications, and she’s also exploring her passion for cosmetology.
Duke’s journey reflects the spirit of growth and dedication that defines Bristol Marine. His passion for quality and innovation continues to inspire, and his enthusiasm for the challenges ahead is contagious. As Duke puts it, “We all got a lot to learn—if you think you have all the answers, life will get boring.”