BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas presented its annual Bill Ferguson and Legislative Awards at last month’s Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando.

The Bill Ferguson award is named in recognition of the MRAA’s first Executive Director. While serving as the Executive Director of the Boating Trades Association of Metropolitan Houston, Ferguson was “loaned” to the MRAA and was paid a salary of $1 per year. The loan underscored BTAMH’s intense desire to help form a national dealer association. MRAA created the Bill Ferguson Award to recognize local, state or regional association that does the most to support its membership.

The Bill Ferguson Award was presented to the BTA of Metropolitan Houston for its support of its members, particularly through the lobbying and ultimate passing of Texas House Bill 1960, which outlines agreements between dealers and manufacturers operating in the state of Texas. Additionally, the Legislative Award, which is presented annually to an elected official who works to further the interests of the boating industry, was awarded to Texas Senator Mike Jackson, a Republican, and Texas Representative Joe Deshotel, a Democrat.

“From its early days when Bill Ferguson served its members, on through until today, BTAMH has been a leader when it comes to furthering the interests of regional association members,” says MRAA President Phil Keeter. “These awards simply underscore the accomplishments that this group realized over the past year.”

“We’re honored to be recognized with this award,” says Ken Lovell, executive director of BTAMH. “Our ability to work toward our members’ needs and have such a milestone accomplishment is a testament to the work that our members and our lobbyist, Jon Kuhl, have put into these legislative issues, along with the work of Sen. Jackson and Rep. DesHotel”

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.