FOXBORO, MASS. — The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) presented longtime industry leader and former owner of Russo Marine Larry Russo Sr. the Frank Farrell Distinguished Service Award. Russo was honored in front of more than 200 in-person and online attendees Thursday, Jan. 20, at the MMTA 2022 Business of Boating (BOB) Conference at the Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro, Mass.

Russo Sr., current Senior Vice President of MarineMax Northeast, grew up in the recreational boating industry and has had a legendary career that has spanned nearly 60 years. Larry is the fourth recipient of the MMTA Frank Farrell award, joining Joe O’Neil, former owner of the New England Boat Show, Dick Egan of Crosby Yacht Yard and Ed Lofgren of 3A Marine. The award is in honor of the late Frank Farrell (1928-2001). Farrell was a co-founder of the New England Boat Show in 1957 and was instrumental in the formation of the MMTA in 1964. He became the first full-time executive director of the MMTA in 1975, a position he held for more than 25 years. Larry Sr.’s father, John Russo, was a founding member of the MMTA in 1964.

“I’m honored and proud to co-present this award to my dad,” said Russo Sr. “His life-long commitment to improving the business of boating has truly made our industry better for all involved.”

Some of the key leadership roles that Larry has held over the years include the following:

• MMTA Board of Directors 1977 to present
• MMTA President 1983–84
• MMTA President Boston In-Water Boat Show 1992–2014
• MRAA Board of Directors 1982–1995
• MRAA President 1988–89
• RBFF – Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Board of Directors 2002–07
• NMMA Grow Boating Dealer Quality Task Force Chairman 2004–06
• MRAA Marine Industry Dealership Certification Inc. Chairman 2006 to present
• Sea Tow Safety Foundation Board of Directors 2008–14
• Grow Boating, Inc. Board of Directors 2012–20
• NMMA/MRAA BoatPAC Board of Directors 2017–
• Recipient – MRAA – Irv Rosenthal Leadership Award – 1991
• Recipient – NMMA – Hammond Leadership Award – 1997
• Recipient – MMTA – Marine Industry Advocate Award – 2007

“To say Larry is deserving of this award would be a clear understatement based on the accomplishments and impact he has made in the recreational boating industry here in Massachusetts and nationally,” said Randall Lyons, Executive Director, MMTA.

“Larry has always been committed to the advancement of our industry and we have all greatly benefited from it,” said award co-presenter Warren Kelly, Baert Marine. “Over the years he has selflessly given so very much of his time and continues to do so on both a local and national level. It is with great respect that I share in recognizing my friend personally and on behalf of the marine industry.”

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For more information, contact:

Randall M. Lyons, CMM
Executive Director
Massachusetts Marine Trades Association
(774) 404-8005
randall@boatma.com
www.boatma.com