Angela Pilkington of Correct Craft Holding Company has been selected as the recipient of the thirty-second annual Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award. The award was presented to Pilkington by the 2017 award recipient, Wanda Kenton Smith, on Sunday evening, Dec. 9, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
The Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award is named after the late Darlene Briggs of Wayzata, Minn., who was admired for her tireless dedication to the marine industry. The MRAA and Boating Industry magazine together present the award to honor her memory. It is offered annually to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry at any level. It recognizes long and devoted service, untiring commitment, and the advancement of women in the marine business. The recipient receives an award and a check for $500 to be used for her professional development.
“Angela’s dedication to her company, its employees and the boating business are an inspiration,” comments MRAA Educational Foundation Executive Director Liz Walz. “She demonstrates that tremendous professional growth can be achieved in our great industry through the pursuit of ongoing education and opportunities for development.”
Pilkington started her career in the marine industry over 37 years ago. In 1981, she was hired at Correct Craft as a temporary employee. Since then, she has worked her way through the positions of secretary, office manager, director of administration, vice president of administration, chief operations offer, chief financial officer, and now, her most recent position, executive vice president/chief of staff.
In reflecting on her own strategies for success, she encourages the women in the marine industry to work hard and to continue to learn. “I have been fortunate through a lot of hard work, as well as supports of others, to achieve success in my career,” Pilkington wrote in her application. “I want to give back to those who are employees at Correct Craft and subsidiaries to encourage them to strive for more, never settle and give your all.”
In addition to success in a professional capacity, Pilkington also dedicates time to mission-driven work. She is a board member of Empower, an organization whose primary focus is to counsel teens with substance abuse or behavioral issues; she chaired a committee to raise funds for As Our Own, an organization in India that recuses girls from the slave trade; and she has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Nautique Cares. In addition, she has taken a personal interest in mentoring several Correct Craft team members.
“As more and more women are employed by the marine industry, they will share their experiences, good or bad, with their friends, associates, children, etc.,” noted Pilkington in her application. “It is up to us – the women already working in the marine industry – to encourage women to join us.”
