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NMMA, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and the recreational marine industry at-large are mourning the loss of Augusto “Kiko” Villalon, who passed away on Oct. 8. Villalon joined the ABYC in 1962 and spent more than six decades shaping the technical foundation of modern boatbuilding.

A Cuban immigrant who arrived in the U.S. with just five dollars in his pocket, Villalon went on to become one of the most respected engineers and designers in the marine industry. Educated in mechanical engineering at the University of Havana, he fled Cuba after Fidel Castro came to power, leaving behind his family’s sugar business and starting over in the U.S.

His early years in America were filled with determination and reinvention. From caring for the Von Trapp family’s horses in Vermont to finding work in design and manufacturing, he embraced every opportunity to learn. He later collaborated with Jack Riggleman on boat design and engineering projects, and together they helped shape the technical standards that support safe and reliable boat construction today.

In 1975, Villalon founded Marine Concepts in Sarasota, Fla., the first U.S. company dedicated solely to the design and construction of plugs and molds for fiberglass boatbuilders. Before Marine Concepts, most builders created their own tooling in-house. Under Villalon’s leadership, the company became a trusted partner to many of the world’s top boat manufacturers, including Regal, Chaparral, Hunter, Cobia, Wellcraft, Yamaha, and Porsche Design.

Villalon was a member of the first engineering committee formed by the Boating Industry Association (predecessor of the NMMA) in 1963 and a passionate advocate for engineering standards and certfiication.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was known for his generosity, humility, and ability to connect with everyone he met.

"Kiko’s leadership helped define how our industry approaches safety and quality,” said Robert Newsome, chief administrative officer and senior vice president of operations at NMMA. "Without his leadership and technical vision, product safety standards — and ultimately NMMA Certification — would not be what they are today. His work built the framework that continues to guide our industry’s commitment to excellence.”

"His energy, knowledge, and stories were the stuff of legend,” said John Adey, ABYC president. “Kiko befriended this young guy from New Jersey and made sure that I would share his love and passion for our industry. He made certain I would never look anywhere else, and his mission was accomplished with me and so many others.”

Villalon served on ABYC’s Technical Board and numerous committees, including Hull Performance, Technical Information, Stability, and Product Interface. He also contributed to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) harmonization efforts and worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard on safety initiatives, including studies on carbon monoxide exposure aboard boats.

Villalon’s story was chronicled in Professional BoatBuilder magazine (“Out of Cuba,” August/September 2008), offering a look at his extraordinary journey. Read the article here.