Employee Spotlight: Q&A with John Jerome

A Lifelong Mechanic with a Passion for Engines

What is your background? Where are you from? What are some of your hobbies? Any fun facts about yourself?

My background started in the automotive industry as an auto mechanic. I’ve lived in Tiverton my whole life, and ever since I was a kid, I was always tinkering with things. I had dirt bikes and hot rods growing up, and that turned into a love for engine work and performance projects. I started working as an auto mechanic right out of high school at 18, and from there, I eventually made my way into the marine industry.

These days, I still spend a lot of time in my own garage working on cars and trucks. I’ve got different machinery I like to use when I get the chance. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my two boxers. I hang out with them a lot. As for a fun fact, I’m left-handed, which I think is pretty cool as a mechanic.

How did you get into this industry?

I made the switch when Outerlimits Power Boats came to Rhode Island from New York. My brother-in-law had gotten a job there and told me they were looking for mechanics. I applied, got hired, and spent about 12 years working in the high-performance boat industry. It was a great fit because I’ve always been interested in high-performance engines, drives, and anything that involves speed and power.

What excites you about this industry?

I really enjoy the variety. No two projects are the same, and I like that I’m not doing the same thing day after day. There’s a lot of satisfaction in seeing a finished product — taking a boat out for a ride, knowing you did the job right, and everything is working as it should. That’s a great feeling.

Why did you choose Bristol Marine?

I first connected with Bristol Marine when Andy bought the old J&J facility in Somerset, where I had worked before. After J&J went bankrupt, I moved on, but a friend of mine went back and told me what a great place it was and how good Andy was to work for. I decided to make the switch and came back as well. After about a year, I was transferred to the Bristol location. They needed a mechanic there, and I ended up really liking the pace and environment better, so I asked to stay. I’ve been with Bristol Marine since 2020.

What’s coming next for you with Bristol Marine?

Right now, I’m working on a repower project for a boat called Relentless. We’re putting in a pair of new Nanni diesels to replace the old Volvo engines. It took me about a day and a half to prep everything for the engine and transmission removal, and now we’re moving into installation. This project also involves switching the propellers from 3-blade to 4-blade. I prefer working on diesel engines over gas, so I’m looking forward to seeing this one come together over the next few weeks.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoy working at Bristol Marine. The relationships I’ve built here are great, and I’m genuinely happy to come to work every day — and that means a lot.