There is one man to whom all Commander owners owe a great deal of gratitude. It is, of course, Dick Avery, stylist at Chris Craft.

Dick joined Chris Craft in 1962 after working as a designer of concept and show cars at Ford’ Styling in Dearborn. After only a couple of years he was appointed Chief Stylist and thus came to play an instrumental role in the development of the Commanders.

In an article in the Club’s newsletter Styled in Fiberglass (Issue 2/2201) Dick acknowledges the importance for him personally by saying “The Commanders were special to me because I envisioned them as floating sculptures, depicting strong, functional, speedy elegance.”

Today, Dick Avery lives in Florida with his lovely wife Maureen. They frequently attend Commander Club Rendezvous and other Club events and thus give us all the unique possibility to speak directly to the person who designed our very boats some 40 years ago.

Dick Avery was also kind enough to co-design the club's logotype in 2006.