Krissy Vaughn, bookkeeper of Fay’s Marina, Inc. of La Porte, Ind., has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Kevin Lodder Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation yesterday. The scholarship recipient was unveiled on Sunday evening, Dec. 10, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
This scholarship was founded in memory of Kevin Lodder of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, Ohio. Kevin worked in his family’s dealership and was dedicated to the marine industry from an early age until his untimely passing. The recipient of this scholarship will receive tuition to attend the Spader Total Management 1 Workshop in Sioux Falls, S.D., (a $2,995 value) and a stipend of $800 to offset travel expenses.
A newcomer to the boating industry, Vaughn came on board with the 45-year-old family dealership in October 2016. Before applying for the scholarship, she had researched the Total Management 1 course and had specific goals for how she might put its teachings to work to improve and grow the business, including learning more about the gross margin method, Costline pricing and pay plans, and understanding the department expense ratio guidelines.
Ed Fay, the current owner of Fay’s Marina, Inc. took the Spader Management 1 Workshop when it was newly developed in the 1980’s.
The Spader Total Management 1 Workshop is a five-day program in Sioux Falls, S.D., geared toward decision makers, leaders, and key employees. Topics covered include decision-making processes, business adaptability, pricing practices, inter-department profit plans, and communication skills.
“It’s gratifying to award this scholarship to someone who wants to aid in the success of the next generation of a family business,” states Jeff Siems, president of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “The workshop is sure to enhance and broaden her accounting skills.”
In her scholarship application, Vaughn wrote, “I am excited about an opportunity to learn and grow, and feel that the Spader training courses that are designed for the dealership industry would be a great chance to hone my skill set and become more of an asset in the business.”
About the 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 or to donate to support the foundation’s mission, visit MRAA.com/foundation.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), 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. 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 MRAA.com.
