2555 W State Road 84, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
The Rubano family completes a carefully planned transition of the Fort Lauderdale marine diesel engine and generator businesses; longtime leader Bryon MacDonald retires after 54 years and veteran Todd Barnes is named President
&
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (October 28, 2026) — RPM Diesel Engine Co. (“RPM”) and its sister company Diesel Services of America (“DSOA”), two of South Florida’s longest-standing factory-authorized marine diesel engine and generator specialists, today announced a change of ownership. An investment group led by Spencer Rubinstein and Darren Snyder has acquired both businesses from the Rubano family, who has guided the companies for more than 60 years. The management team, technicians, and staff remain in place. Yacht owners, captains and engineers, crews, boatyards, and commercial operators will continue to work with the same people, at the same locations, on the same brands, with the same excellent standard of service.
Under Joseph “Joe” Rubano, RPM grew into a trusted name on Fort Lauderdale’s Marina Mile, and he later expanded the business through the acquisition of Diesel Services of America. After his passing in 2020, ownership passed to his daughter, Theresa Berry. After six successful years at the helm, Ms. Berry has decided to retire and hand the companies to new owners who are committed to carrying that legacy forward.
“Through the challenges and successes over the years, my father expanded RPM and acquired Diesel Services of America. He earned the affection and respect of so many people along the way, and he left big shoes to fill. I will always be grateful to our extraordinary team of managers and employees, whose dedication carries on his legacy. With the new owners and this incredible team, I am confident that both companies will continue to provide the outstanding service and personal care our customers have come to expect.”
— Theresa Berry
The family took great care to find the right owners. The priority was a buyer who appreciated the reputation the companies had built and would continue “the Rubano way” of taking care of customers and employees.
Rubinstein and Snyder will be engaged owners, but not directly managing the businesses. They intend to keep the experienced management team fully intact and vested in running the companies. Their plans center on investing in the business, beginning with the technicians who are the lifeblood of RPM and DSOA, so that every technician has the factory training, education, tools, and support needed to serve customers at the highest level.
As factory-authorized dealers for many of the strongest brands in the marine industry, RPM and DSOA received unanimous approval of the change of control from the original equipment manufacturers they represent.
“RPM and DSOA have earned the trust of owners, captains, and yards over decades, and that trust was built by the people who work here. Our job is to support this team, invest in facilities as well as training, tools, and parts availability so our team can keep doing what they do best: keeping vessels running and getting customers back on the water.”
“Joe Rubano built something incredibly special, and Terry and the team have carried it forward. We are honored to be the next stewards of these companies, and committed to being an employer of choice in the marine industry.”
— Spencer Rubinstein
The transition also marks a long-planned change in senior leadership. Following 54 years of dedicated service, Bryon MacDonald has retired. Todd Barnes, a multi-decade veteran of the business, has stepped into the role of President, continuing the companies’ tradition of strong leadership and commitment to their employees and customers.
“For our customers, nothing changes about who answers the phone, who orders the parts or who shows up at the boat. Bryon set a high bar over more than five decades, and our whole team is energized by the support of owners who want to invest in our people and in the service we deliver every day.”
— Todd Barnes, President
Nothing changes about who answers the phone, who orders the parts, or who shows up at the boat.
Management, service managers, technicians, parts specialists, and office staff remain in place.
Both facilities on West State Road 84 in Fort Lauderdale continue to operate as before, and phone numbers, email addresses and websites are unchanged.
Every OEM relationship continues, with each manufacturer’s full support.
Open work orders, scheduled maintenance, service agreements and parts orders continue without interruption.
Employees will see continued and expanded investment in factory training, certification, tooling, and career development.
Founded in 1956, RPM Diesel Engine Co. is a leading South Florida source for marine and industrial diesel engine and generator sales, service, and parts. Located at 2555 W. State Road 84 in Fort Lauderdale, RPM is factory authorized for many major manufacturers, including MTU, Detroit Diesel, Northern Lights, Kohler, Westerbeke, and Bosch. Its services include engine maintenance and overhauls, generator repair, fuel injection and common-rail service, turbocharger service, and both new and hard-to-find parts, with on-site service available at the vessel’s location worldwide.
Since 1981, Diesel Services of America has been a complete source for marine engine and generator sales, service, and maintenance. Located at 2501 W. State Road 84 in Fort Lauderdale, DSOA is factory authorized for MAN, Volvo Penta, John Deere, Cummins/Onan, Kohler, among others. Its services include engine and generator sales, maintenance and overhauls, generator repair, and both new and hard-to-find parts, with on-site service available at the vessel’s location worldwide.
###
Our phone numbers, email addresses and locations are unchanged. Call RPM Diesel Engine Co. at (954) 587-1620 or send us a message.