BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas recognized past MRAA Chairman Ed Lofgren of 3A Marine Service, Inc., with the prestigious Irv Rosenthal Award.

The Irv Rosenthal Award is presented annually to an individual who has contributed significantly through the years to the work of the MRAA. Mr. Rosenthal was the owner of Transfer Monogram, a supplier company that was instrumental in the formation and early success of the MRAA.

Lofgren himself has been intricately involved in the success of the MRAA. He served as chairman of the board for the association for 2009 and 2010 and is a long-standing Patron Member of the association.

“Ed has dedicated many years to MRAA, serving in every elected director and officer position, and he certainly exemplifies the same spirit and fervor that Irv Rosenthal had,” says Phil Keeter, President of MRAA. “The 2009 and 2010 model years were certainly two of the most difficult years our industry has ever seen, and during that time, Ed’s leadership of MRAA remained focused and strong. This is an honor he richly deserves.”

During his time as a board member and chairman, Lofgren helped with the formation of the MRAA’s Young Leaders Advisory Council, a group of next-generation leaders who are serving as the building blocks for the future of the association. He also helped to orchestrate and finalize a deal with Boating Industry magazine to partner with the association and co-produce the MRAA’s annual convention, the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo. This agreement led to significant growth for the annual convention over the last few years. Additionally Lofgren has been the president of the MRAA Educational Foundation for a number of years, which provides resources on an annual basis for the education and training for members of our industry.

“Irv labored long and hard to establish a strong foundation for an organization to represent the nation’s retailers,” Lofgren said. “It is a great honor to be recognized with this award and to be thus associated with his work.”

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.