ORLANDO, Fla. – Debbie Meigs, senior customer service representative with Cobalt Boats, Neodesha, Kan., was named the 2012 Darlene Briggs Award Winner during a luncheon Nov. 14 at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. The honor is given annually to an outstanding woman in the marine industry.

A 38-year veteran of the marine industry, Meigs has served in a variety of roles for Cobalt, including the organization of its customer satisfaction training for both internal use and Cobalt’s dealer network. Additionally, Meigs has remained involved in industry organizations, serving in the past as chair of the NMMA CSI Steering Committee.

“Through her contributions to both Cobalt and boating as a whole, Debbie has truly raised the bar for customer service in this industry,” Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief for Boating Industry magazine, said.

At the event, Boating Industrymagazine’s national sales manager, Kathy Johnson, introduced the 2011 Darlene Briggs Award Winner, Jewell “Julie” Crowe of Crowe Marine, who presented the award.

The recipient of the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award demonstrates leadership and commitment to the boating business. Recipients also must show a willingness to volunteer their time and effort in their communities and social organizations.

This award was established in 1987 in honor of Darlene Briggs of Wayzata Marine, who exemplified these qualities, serving as the first retail marine saleswoman in Minnesota and the first female member of her state marine trades association. It is sponsored byBoating Industrymagazine, MRAA Spader 20 Group 103 and MRAA.

The 2011 recipient was Jewell “Julie” Crowe, co-owner of Crowe Marine. Other past recipients include: Barbara Woodard, accessories manager at Woodard Marine; Nancy Smith, co-owner of boat dealership Colorado Boat Center; Ann Baldree, national and international sales manager of Marine Products Corp.; Marcia Kull, vice president and general counsel of Volvo Penta; Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Marine Inc.; Kris Carroll, president of Grady-White Boats, Inc.; Lynn Fiorenzano of Silver Spring Marine; and Maureen Dickson of Cap Sante Marine.

The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo was held Nov. 11-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.