Throughout 2016, Performance Boat Center was a hub of activity. Photos courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

A phone call to Brett Manire, the co-owner of Performance Boat Center in Osage Beach, Mo., four weeks ago from an Osage Beach City Council member culminated today with the business—including its Redhead Lakeside Grill—receiving the 2016 Business Partner of the Year Award from the Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council. Manire, Performance Boat Center co-owner Mark Waddington received the award earlier today at the council’s annual meeting.

“It means a lot to us—it means that people are watching what we do,” said Manire. “To be recognized in the city where you live and work is pretty cool. I thought it was going to be like 10 or 15 people in the room today, but there were 60 or 70 people there including the Mayor (John Olivarri) and the former head basketball coach of Mizzou (University of Missouri).”

According to Manire, Performance Boat Center employees 30 people during the boating season, as well as 10 more employees at its marina and 150 employees at the Redhead Lakeside Grill, making it one of the largest employers in the area. The award honored the company for its leadership, involvement and economic impact on the Osage Beach community. In addition to working with local charities in 2016, Performance Boat Center sponsored the Lake Race and the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, and brought home the 2016 Super Boat International Superboat-Class World and National Championships.

Performance Boat Center was ground zero for multiple events last year.

“They told us they really feel that we are putting the Lake of the Ozarks on the map,” he said.

That the entire team at Performance Boat Center was honored today was particularly special to Manire, as January 19 also is his birthday.

“I couldn’t imagine a better gift,” he said. “Now we’re back at work. We have boats to sell, deals to complete, demos to do.”

Manire said he will save his official birthday celebration to this weekend. “It’s supposed to be 65 degrees and sunny on Saturday,” he said. “We’re going to get a yacht and performance boat out there and enjoy the day. I’ve gone boating every year for the past several years on my birthday.”

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