MINNEAPOLIS — Aric Chaltry of Nestegg Marine has been selected as the recipient of the first annual Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship. The scholarship was presented to Chaltry on Wednesday, Nov. 20 during the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo Awards Luncheon.
During the presentation of the award, MRAA Educational Foundation Board Member Jeff Siems of Blue Springs Marine shared the story of how Chaltry came to work for his mentor and father-in-law at Nestegg Marine, as well as his aspirations to one day run the business.
“I watch my father-in-law work many hours to grow his business and how proud he is to have me working for him,” wrote Chaltry. “If only I can do this in the future and follow the example he set.”
The Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship was founded by Spader Business Management and the MRAA Educational Foundation in 2013 to honor the marine industry service of Spader founder Duane Spader, as well as his leadership philosophy of life-long learning. The recipient receives full tuition to attend the Spader Leadership Development Program, valued at $14,875. Applicants must be employees of a Marine Retailers Association of the Americas retail member.
“The Spader Business Management team is delighted to welcome Aric Chaltry into our Leadership Development Program,” says David Spader, the program’s principal trainer. “As an aspiring dealership principal, we are confident that Aric will learn skills and insight that will have a significant impact on his personal and professional development for years to come.”
The Spader Leadership Development Program is a 15- to 18-month program for current and future leaders that involves five three-day sessions in Sioux Falls, S.D. In between sessions, participants are tasked with putting what they’ve learned to work in their dealership and tracking the results of those efforts.
“The MRAA Educational Foundation is thrilled at the industry’s response to this first-year program,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Educational Foundation Executive Director. “The scholarship represents an incredible opportunity for members, and as a result, is a powerful tool for the foundation as it works to create a strong and healthy boating industry.”
For more information, visit the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship web page: www.mraa.com/DuaneSpaderScholarship. Please contact Liz Walz with any questions at 315-692-4533 or liz@mraa.com.
About MRAA Educational Foundation
As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com/MRAAFoundation.
About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. The MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit
