Launch Watersports Staff
Owners
Braylen Sykes
Owner
Name Braylen Sykes
Title Owner
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
3. What do you love most about your job?
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
5. Where are you from?
6. What's something surprising that most people don’t know about you?
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
Brittany Sykes
Creative Director
Name Brittany Sykes
Title Creative Director
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
I am the Creative Director, based in Great Falls, but I oversee both dealerships. I dabble in a lot of different areas including helping design stock inventory, running all social media channels, marketing and helping organize events for the dealerships.
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
I have been a part of the company since my husband purchased the business in July of 2019.
3. What do you love most about your job?
It offers me an outlet to express my creativity – I am a very sociable person and I love connecting with our customers. Promoting the Launch brand and the value of the products we carry motivate me to be the best I can be.
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
I didn’t! My husband and I owned a boat before his purchase of the business, and we have always enjoyed spending our time out on the water (when the weather permits). It makes my job so much more enjoyable when the lifestyle we’re selling is already one of our hobbies.
5. Where are you from?
Born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. Proud graduate of CMR High School and the University of Montana – GO GRIZ!
6. What's something surprising that most people don’t know about you?
I grew up playing soccer and was a fourth-grade teacher for three years before my husband purchased Launch!
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
This makes me laugh – I have several, but I would have to say not being punctual, dishonesty and loud chewing would be at the top of the list!
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Greece, or Italy. In fact, I would love nothing more than to eat and drink my way through Europe, as I’m a huge “foodie”!
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
When I’m not working, you can find me “momming” and chasing around our son, Kidder! I love being in the kitchen and cooking – finding new recipes to try, or creating my own is one of my favorite things. When time allows, traveling and exploring new places is also something I enjoy.
Sales Department
Matt Kittel
Director of Sales
Name Matt Kittel
Title Director of Sales
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
Director of Sales. I oversee negotiations, inventory management, trade valuation, and customer deliveries.
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
I joined in the summer of 2020.
3. What do you love most about your job?
I love working with the clientele and hearing their stories.
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
I grew up wakeboarding behind a Malibu and so I knew this was the best product if I wanted to sell boats. Also, it helps that Flathead Valley is the most beautiful place in Montana!
5. Where are you from?
Victor, Montana. Graduated with a class of 22 kids.
6. What's something surprising that most people don’t know about you?
I published a poetry book in 2013 and I spend a lot of my free time writing fiction.
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Not sure I have one. Pretty laid back and easy going.
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
I’ve heard a lot of great things about surfing in Bali, I think it would be great to get out there and try it!
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
I love spending time with family, traveling, health and wellness, big CrossFit junkie since 2020. In the winter I like to snowboard.
Steven Cantalupo
Product Specialist - Kalispell
Name Steven Cantalupo
Title Product Specialist - Kalispell
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
Sales associate/product specialist. Help provide a friendly atmosphere and help customers choose a boat they want to buy.
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
May of 2023.
3. What do you love most about your job?
The people I work with and the fun atmosphere of the boat world.
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
Around March of 2023. I thought boats would be a fun thing to get into!
5. Where are you from?
Manhattan, Montana.
6. What's something surprising that most people don’t know about you?
I filmed for the MSU football team.
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Chewing with your mouth open.
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
New Zealand. Snowboard and surf in the same day.
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
I love golfing. snowboarding, surfing (both ocean and lake), a good game of chess, passionate about most sports and the Gut Buster at BBQ3 in Belgrade.
David Birkholz
Product Specialist - Great Falls
Name David Birkholz
Title Product Specialist - Great Falls
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
3. What do you love most about your job?
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
5. Where are you from?
6. What's something surprising that most people don’t know about you?
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
Service Department
Josiah Sheeran
Service Manager - Kalispell
Name Josiah Sheeran
Title Service Manager - Kalispell
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
Service Manager – oversee Service and Parts operations
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
June 2022
3. What do you love most about your job?
The Customers! I love all of the relationships that I build here. Making customers feel taken care of is my greatest satisfaction. The Launch crew here is so much fun and makes work enjoyable.
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
Burnout from the auto industry drove me to use my skills in a more fun, lower volume industry. At the time the service role was open and as soon as I walked through the door, I was excited at the opportunity.
5. Where are you from?
Kalispell, MT
6. What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know I’m a gamer.
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People chewing with their mouth open, or talking while chewing.
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Probably Ireland. My grandparents are from Belfast.
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
Off-roading, camping, and dog training.
Andrew Westfall
Technician - Kalispell
Name Andrew Westfall
Title Technician - Kalispell
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
Certified Marine Service Technician. My duties include diagnostics, maintenance, repairs, upholstery repairs, and providing quality customer service and satisfaction.
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
I joined Launch on April 22nd of 2024
3. What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the crew I work with. They are knowledgeable, polite, easy going, strive for great service, and they make a work day seem like a day at home with company.
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
Honestly, I was excited to get the job when the call came in. I didn’t have prior marine experience, but I had a passion to diagnose, fix, and learn how things work (and break!) This passion is what inspired me to pursue this career and has helped me to develop, gain certification, and is a real aspiration.
5. Where are you from?
I’m from the beautiful Flathead Valley - Kalispell
6. What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I collect and play Magic the Gathering.
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is dishonesty/misinformation.
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
I would like to visit Ireland/Scotland. I would like to visit there and see the beauty and history that is there.
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
Outside of work I am an avid outdoorsman. I love fishing, hunting, boating, and anything outside! I also love my family and enjoying these activities with them.
Andy Schuhknecht
Technician - Kalispell
Name Andy Schuhknecht
Title Technician - Kalispell
Brantley Forehand
Detailer - Kalispell
Name Brantley Forehand
Title Detailer - Kalispell
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
Detailer – Detail boats to showroom new condition.
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
June 10, 2024
3. What do you love most about your job?
Doing something for a living that I have a passion for
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
I’ve always had a passion for detailing. I knew I wanted to work at launch after talking with the awesome team during my interview.
5. Where are you from?
Abilene, Texas
6. What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I’ve been to 40 states
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Lack of communication
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Easter Island to see the ancient Stone Heads
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
Travel, hiking, and airplane photography
Kari Hurley
Service Advisor - Great Falls
Name Kari Hurley
Title Service Advisor - Great Falls
Jason West
Technician - Great Falls
Name Jason West
Title Technician - Great Falls
Paul Morris
Technician - Great Falls
Name Paul Morris
Title Technician - Great Falls
Stephen Stroh
Detailer - Great Falls
Name Stephen Stroh
Title Detailer - Great Falls
Transportation
Ben Bogart
Transport Specialist - Kalispell
Name Ben Bogart
Title Transport Specialist - Kalispell
Parts & Pro Shop
Colin King
Parts Manager - Great Falls
Name Colin King
Title Parts Manager - Great Falls
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
3. What do you love most about your job?
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
5. Where are you from?
6. What's something surprising that most people don’t know about you?
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
Administrative
Jacob Andersen
General Manager - Kalispell
Name Jacob Andersen
Title General Manager - Kalispell
1. What is your job title and what duties do you perform?
As the general Manager at Launch Watersports, I make sure that everything runs smoothly – from helping guests find the perfect boat, to keeping our service team operating at its best. I focus on providing a great experience, managing inventory, and leading out team to ensure we’re always delivering top-notch service. Whether you’re buying a boat or bringing it in for maintenance, I’m here to make your time on the water the best it can be!
2. When did you join the Launch crew?
September 1, 2024
3. What do you love most about your job?
I love helping people experience the joy of boating – whether it’s finding the perfect boat or keeping their current one running smoothly. Every day brings new opportunities, and I enjoy problem solving, leading our team, and improving the way we do business. At the end of the day, it’s all about helping families and friends create unforgettable memories on the water.
4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? What inspired you to join the team here?
I’ve always loved helping people create memories with their families and friends, and the boating industry is the perfect place to do that. When I joined Launch Watersports, I saw the chance to make a real impact – refining operations, strengthening the team, and building a dealership that delivers an unbeatable experience. With Malibu’s top-tier boats and a focus on fun, I knew this was the right place to bring my passion for both business and the boating lifestyle.
5. Where are you from?
I am from Loveland, Colorado. My wife grew up in Kalispell and her family has been here since the 40’s.
6. What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I love creating a fun, high-energy environment – both at work and outside of it. I’m always up for a good karaoke night out or at home with my kids! I believe that the best teams thrive hen they enjoy what they do. I bring that same energy to Launch Watersports, making sure our team and guests feel the excitement of boating and the lifestyle that comes with it.
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
I see challenges as an opportunity to grow, so I always encourage a solutions focused mindset. Helping others shift from frustration to problem solving is something I’m passionate about.
8. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to visit Norway to see the incredible landscapes, and also to connect with my family’s history in Norway’s small towns. Exploring my roots and exploring the fjords and mountains sounds amazing.
9. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are you passionate about?
I love spending time outdoors with my wife and kids. We like boating on Flathead Lake and playing on the shore at Lake McDonnald. More than anything, I’m passionate about being a great father and creating fun, lasting memories with my family.
Holter Lake
Darrell Greenwood
Boat Loft Operations
Name Darrell Greenwood
Title Boat Loft Operations
Gracyn Sieler
Convenience Store Guru
Name Gracyn Sieler
Title Convenience Store Guru
Austin Gatch
Convenience Store Guru
Name Austin Gatch
Title Convenience Store Guru