LAKE FOREST, Ill., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) today announced that Christopher F. Dekker, 41, and Keith L. Gibson, 39, will join the Company's Law Department in early January.

Gibson joined Brunswick Jan. 4 as division general counsel – Bowling & Billiards, while Dekker will begin his duties as associate general counsel – litigation and employment on Jan. 13.  

"Chris and Keith each have more than a decade of experience gained at premier corporate law departments and established law firms.  We are pleased to add these talented lawyers to our team, and we look forward to their contributions to our overall goal of delivering quality and cost-effective legal advice to all of our businesses," explained Kristin Coleman, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary.

Dekker comes to Brunswick from Caterpillar Inc., where he spent the past eight years in various legal assignments for the Peoria, Ill.-based maker of heavy equipment.  He most recently served as senior corporate counsel for Caterpillar Logistics.  Prior to joining Caterpillar in 2001, he had served with two leading Chicago law firms.  Dekker received his law degree from Chicago's DePaul University, after completing his undergraduate work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  Dekker will have responsibility for managing the corporation's litigation portfolio, as well as all employment, labor and compliance-related matters.  He will report to Coleman.

Gibson most recently was assistant general counsel with U.S. Foodservice, a large food distributor based in Rosemont, Ill.  Prior to that assignment, he had served as regional counsel for Connecticut-based UST, Inc., a leading manufacturer of smokeless tobacco products and wine.  Gibson, who received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University (Bloomington) and his law degree from DePaul University, also had worked with several leading law firms in Chicago and Cincinnati before his corporate assignments.  He will work with the Brunswick Bowling & Billiards team to oversee all legal matters relative to the business worldwide, and will report to Coleman.

About Brunswick

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill "Genuine Ingenuity"(TM) in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Diversified Marine and Benrock parts and accessories distributors; Arvor, Bayliner, Bermuda, Boston Whaler, Cabo Yachts, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Hatteras, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Ornvik, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Sealine, Triton, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables.  For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.

SOURCE Brunswick Corporation