MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 21, 2025) – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Joe Lewis as Chairman and four new additions to its board of directors.
Lewis of Mount Dora Boating Center and Marina in Mount Dora, Florida, is the longest serving board member, having been on the MRAA Board since 2009. He previously served as Chair of the board from 2017-2018, and was asked by his board colleagues to remain on the board after his term. Lewis returns as Chairman in 2025, replacing Jeff Strong, Strong’s Marine in New York, who moves into the Immediate Past Chair position.
“It’s been a real privilege to serve, having a front-row seat to MRAA’s stellar growth, fueling our members’ business success while taking on a larger industry leadership role,” says Lewis. “What is really exciting is knowing what is yet to come. Working with this exceptional MRAA team, my fellow dealer board members and our industry partners, we have tremendous opportunities as we continue the work of elevating our customer buying and ownership experience. I’m looking forward to working with everyone and another great year.”
Craig Brosenne, President of Hagadone Marine Group in Coeur D Alene, Idaho, who joined the board in 2014, has been named Vice Chair. Buckeye Marine Operations Manager Carly Poole has been named the new Secretary/Treasurer and has served on the board for a dozen years. Lewis, Brosenne, Poole and Strong will comprise the MRAA’s Executive Committee.
New additions to the MRAA Board of Directors include Sean Horsfall, President of Len’s Cove Marina in Ontario, Canada (Region 11 Canada), Eric Smith, General Manager at Colorado Boat Center (Region 8 – CO, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, NM, WY), Chris Butler, President at Butler Marine in South Carolina (Region 4 – KY, NC, SC, TN), and Wendy Ramsey, General Manager at Pirate Cove Marina in Ontario, Canada, is the new Director At Large, representing MRAA’s Young Leaders Advisory Council.
In addition to the newly appointed board members, returning MRAA Regional Directors include:
- Region 1 (ME, MA, NH, VT) – Craig LeBlanc, Allen Harbor Marine Service
- Region 2 (CT, NJ, NY, RI) – Bob Petzold, Petzold’s Marine Center
- Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV) – Bryan Buckland, Chessie Marine Sales
- Region 5 (AL, FL, GA, MS) – Paul Berube, Boaters Exchange
- Region 6 (IL, IN, MI, OH) – Chad Taylor, Taylor’s South Shore Marine
- Region 7 (MN, SD, ND, WI) – Jason Shallcross, Reed’s Marine
- Region 9 (AR, LA, OK, TX) – Brandon Sharpe, Arrowhead Boat Sales
- Region 10 (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, UT, WA): Bob Bense, Superior Boat Repair & Sales
- Director At Large – Susan Duquette, Lakeview Marine
“We accomplished many things under Jeff’s impactful leadership. We will be in good hands with Joe and are grateful for this dedicated and passionate group of marine industry professionals,” says MRAA President Matt Gruhn. “Their combined expertise and vast knowledge of the marine industry will help keep the MRAA focused on achieving our mission to fuel dealer success through furthering our drive for continuous improvement. Our new members, who are accomplished business leaders, can help us achieve more by advancing our efforts to help boat dealers and the industry at large.”
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
