Phil Keeter, President of the Marine Retailers of America, is announcing his retirement. Keeter will retire on December 31st , 2011. Keeter has served as the president of the association since February of 1988. Keeter was one of the 12 founding dealer members of the association in 1972. He served on the board from 1972 until 1982.

Keeter has represented MRAA with other associations and groups such as the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the National Marine Bankers Association, the National Marine Distributors Association, the National Marine Representatives Association, American Recreation Coalition, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Power Squadron, Marine Environmental Education Foundation, Center for Environmental Education and Research Inc., National Marine Trades Council, Advisory Council of Marine Associations and has served on various boards and advisory groups throughout his career.

He received a Presidential appointment from George W. Bush to serve on the Boating Safety Advisory Council and did so for six years. He is the recipient of the Mel Barr award given by the National Marine Representatives Association. He is also the recipient of the Phil Keeter Environmental Education Award given by the Marine Environmental Education Foundation. He served on the Board of MEEF for several years and received recognition for that work from the National Clean Boating Campaign. Keeter presently serves as Vice President of the Grow Boating program and also serves on the Board of Marine Five Star Dealer Certification.

“It has been my privilege and honor to have represented the marine dealers throughout North America for the past 20 plus years,” said Keeter. “Having been a dealer for 30 years before becoming MRAA’s president gave me a real understanding of what a dealer faces every day. They are brave and fearless small businessmen with their entire fortunes on the line so my task of representing them has been daunting, but the friendships and relations I have formed with them are priceless treasures.”

Keeter’s career in the recreational boating industry began with the establishment of Romer Marine in Tulsa, Okla., in 1958 during his senior year in college. In 1986 he sold that dealership after 28 years and went on to become the Regional Sales Manager for Glastron Boat Company. He held that position for two years before becoming the President of MRAA.

“MRAA has made a real difference on the landscape of the recreational boating industry and today plays the single biggest role in making our industry successful in the future,” Keeter said. “MRAA has forged relationships with all segments of the industry that I have had the good fortune of being a part of. I know these will be continued by my successor.

“In this coming year I will work to secure even stronger bonds for MRAA’s future. My successor must possess far greater skills than I have in this world of emerging technology because that very technology will help to propel MRAA to even greater success.”

Keeter remains active with Tulsa University, Will Rogers Rotary Club and Boston Avenue Methodist Church. He is also active with the Tulsa Boat Sport & Travel Show and the two Green Country RV Shows. Keeter and his wife, Marilyn, have been married 52 years and have three children and five grandchildren.