Integrated Dealer Systems, and MRAA Education Champion, will host a Dealership Insights Forum at 11:30 a.m. (EST) on Friday, Dec 20.
The topic of the discussion centers on 2024 Repair Event Cycle Time (RECT) Recap for Marine and RV dealerships. The forum will inspect RECT over the past year, exploring what have been the biggest factors impacting it. Gain some key learnings for your 2025 preparation. Don Miller, IDS, and Sarah Baptiste, Arrkann RV, will host the discussion.
ORLANDO, FLA., December 10, 2024 — The MRAA Educational Foundation announced today that Angela Brayton, General Manager of Lakeview Marine in Webster, Mass., is the recipient of the Foundation’s 2024 Kevin Lodder Scholarship. This year’s scholarship recipient was unveiled at the Foundation’s awards luncheon in Orlando, Fla., as part of Dealer Week, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas annual conference and expo.
Angela Brayton
This scholarship celebrates the memory of Kevin Lodder of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, Ohio. Kevin worked in his family’s dealership and was dedicated to the marine industry from an early age until his untimely passing. The recipient of this scholarship receives tuition to attend the NCM Associates Total Management 1 In-Person Workshop in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a stipend to offset travel expenses.
Fourteen years ago, Brayton made career-altering decision, choosing the open receptionist position at Lakeview Marine rather than working at a big-box retail outlet. The marine industry was not on her radar and boating was not her area of expertise. However, throughout her time at Lakeview Marine, Brayton has made herself more valuable and, in doing so she has made vertical moves, earning her current general manager/showroom coordinator position.
Brayton, an advocate for daily improvement, seeks to grow as a manager because it will benefit her, the dealership and their customers.
“Being exposed to the best practices in the industry can only help myself grow as a manager and benefit our company” she wrote in her scholarship application. “Our dealership has increased sales and service volume over the years. We have a continuous goal of improving how we operate daily. My hope is that by attending the NCM Associates Total Management Workshop I can get a better understanding of key metrics and reports that will help our dealership continue to make strides in enhancing our customer relationships and employee satisfaction.”
The Total Management 1 Workshop, geared toward every decision-maker, leader and key employee, is NCM’s most widely-attended course, helping thousands of people succeed in business while helping businesses stabilize, grow and increase profits.
Workshop participants leave with a clear set of principles processes and tools to take their company to new levels of performance and profitability. The benefits include clear decision-making, right-sizing operations, bolstering margins, department score-keeping and profit planning, sound inventory preparation, enhanced communication and more. And that has a way of making their work vastly more enjoyable.
“We are proud to award this memorial scholarship to someone who is unwavering in their pursuit of personal and professional growth,” states Matt Lodder, Chairman of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “Given Angela’s dedication to Lakeview Marine, its culture and its customers, and the passion she has for learning, we are confident that she will leverage the scholarship to advance in her leadership, helping the dealership to improve.”
About MRAA Educational Foundation As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information or to donate to support the foundation’s mission, visit mraa.com/foundation.
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.
ORLANDO, FL, December 10, 2024 — The MRAA Educational Foundation announced today that Jami Hirsch, Co-Owner at BoatCraft in Traverse City, Mich., is the recipient of the Foundation’s 2024 Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship. This year’s scholarship recipient was unveiled at the Foundation’s awards luncheon in Orlando, Fla., as part of Dealer Week, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas annual conference and expo.
Jami Hirsch
The Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship, founded in 2013 by Spader Business Management (now NCM Associates) and the MRAA Educational Foundation, honors the marine industry service of Spader founder Duane Spader, as well as his leadership philosophy of lifelong learning. Hirsch will receive full tuition to attend the NCM Associates Leadership Development Program, valued at nearly $15,000. Applicants must be employees of a Marine Retailers Association of the Americas retail member. BoatCraft is an MRAA Silver Member.
From achieving sales goals to competing in Ironman Triathlons to co-owning an upstart dealership, Hirsch isn’t afraid of challenges or pushing forward to overcome and accomplish personal, professional and family goals. During a difficult stretch for the family, she and her husband, Jeff, have persevered through personal and professional change to launch a boat dealership in the fall of 2019. Despite lacking a physical location and employees — and COVID — Hirsch says they pressed on with the dealership while home schooling their children from the road in an RV.
In 2021, things took off for BoatCraft, partly due to a return to normal and mostly because of their passion and enthusiasm for boating. After buying property for their dealership, adding another line and hiring five new employees, they have boosted their revenue, received numerous accolades from three product manufacturers and earned hundreds of loyal customers. However, Hirsch, who learned about hard work while growing up on an Iowa farm, says her humble upbringing has also showed her that working smarter, not harder, is also a pathway for success.
“I have been able to ‘grind’ through many challenges with successful outcomes,” Hirsch wrote in her scholarship application. “It has become clear that the grind is no longer the appropriate route. It is time to utilize this tenacity in a more effective way. With the opportunity that the MRAA [Educational Foundation] scholarship provides, I am certain I will be able to move towards a brighter future. Not only for myself and my family, but my hopes are we can create an environment for our employees and customers to also thrive.”
The NCM Leadership Development Program is a rigorous educational initiative designed for high-performing department leaders, emerging leaders and future executives poised to drive organizational
success. Spanning several months with five intensive 3.5-day sessions, the immersive program equips participants with essential leadership skills through an in-depth exploration of established principles, models and management techniques. Each session is strategically spaced to encourage practical learning application in real-world scenarios, ensuring immediate impact and sustained growth in leadership capabilities.
“We’re inspired by Jami’s passion for boating and her belief that improvement requires persistence,” states Matt Lodder, Chairman of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “It’s clear that she has a solid foundation for success, even in the face of challenges and change, and has already displayed great leadership. We’re convinced this scholarship will help her optimize her efforts and sharpen her leadership tactics, while she continues to guide the dealership to new heights.”
About MRAA Educational Foundation As part of its mission to create a strong and healthy boating industry, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is committed to offering training, education and professional development opportunities to its members and the entire marine dealer community. In 2004, the association launched the MRAA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, to provide financial support for education, training and professional development in the recreational marine trades. For more information or to donate to support the foundation’s mission, visit www.mraa.com/foundation.
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.
MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 10, 2024 — Nancy Cueroni, Executive Director of the National Marine Distributors Association, has been named the 2024 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The award was presented to Cueroni, the 38th recipient, as part of the Dealer Week Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Dealer Week in Orlando, Fla.
Nancy Cueroni
Cueroni started her marine industry career in the late 1970s as a marina owner. After nearly a decade as the Director of Member Services for the Connecticut Marine Trades Association, she joined the NMDA in 1999. For the last 26 years, Nancy, a Managing Partner for the Cueroni Management Group, has been passionately immersing herself at the NMDA, supporting its members, association activities and initiatives and encouraging other marine professionals to flourish.
“My motivation comes from the people I work with, pride in a job well done and the expectations set by those around me,” said Cueroni. “I believe success is best measured by achieving set goals and doing so in a way that reflects well on both the organization and me. ”
Cueroni has deep industry ties and made instrumental contributions as both a leader and mentor. She has advocated for the NMDA and impacted the broader marine industry, showcasing collaboration and leadership, serving as an officer (former Chairman) on the American Boat & Yacht Council board and a board member of a national trade association. She helped develop an annual awards program where marine distributors nominate and vote on their suppliers based on multiple criteria and varying weightings, creating a standard where customers evaluate manufacturers.
“Mentorship is something I’ve always valued. I believe women, by working together, can achieve anything,” said Cueroni. “I regularly connect with women – and a few men – in the marine industry to discuss their thoughts, concerns and aspirations, offering insight and guidance where appropriate. I often encourage those I mentor to avoid letting ‘being a woman’ define their capabilities, whether it’s seeing it as a reason they can or can’t do a job. With time, we gain a unique wisdom, and one of the most powerful insights I share is that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Under Cueroni’s management, the NMDA has become more technologically advanced and built systems and objectives to help it grow, become more efficient and expand its industry leadership. While balancing the Association’s core activities, she has spearheaded new member development, newsletter creation and educational opportunities. All of these initiatives and resources help support members and allow her to engage them and continue her mission to know every member personally and to ensure they know her.
As she approaches retirement, Cueroni believes she has another huge opportunity for growth. She is working closely with her successor, which provides her with fresh perspectives and insights and a chance to continue learning and growing.
“Those of us who have been here for the long haul have consistently striven to be professional, competent, kind and thoughtful,” Cueroni said. “I believe this approach has contributed significantly to advancing women in the marine industry, perhaps even more than any other factor. I am truly encouraged by the significant increase in women in the industry over the past 25 years that I have been involved on a national level. For many, the opportunity to combine a passion for boating with a fulfilling career is a dream come true.”
Michele Goldsmith, the 2024 Darlene Briggs award winner passed the torch to Cueroni. “This is a recognition Nancy so richly deserves,” stated Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only Group. “Her ability to foster collaboration and drive innovation has left an indelible mark on our industry. Renowned for her generosity in sharing her time, expertise and insights, Nancy embodies a combination of detail-oriented precision, process-driven execution and community-building spirit. Beyond her work and achievements, to me and so many within the marine community she is cherished friend.”
The award is named after the late Darlene Briggs of Wayzata, Minn., who was admired for her tireless dedication to elevating women and the marine industry. The MRAA and Boating Industry magazine present the award to honor her memory. The annual award recognizes an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the boating industry, recognizing dedicated service, persistent commitment and the advancement of women in the marine business. Darlene’s granddaughter, Taylor Briggs, leads the MRAA Educational Foundation’s selection committee for the award and helped present the award.
“My grandma Darlene’s award and the connection it has created between the many inspiring women who are nominated for it means so much to our family,” Taylor said. “Nancy goes above and beyond in making significant contributions to the marine industry and other women in the marine industry. Nancy is a wonderful example of the kind of leadership that deserves to be recognized.”
About MRAA Educational Foundation A nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, the MRAA Educational Foundation has awarded more than 85 scholarships and awards collectively worth more than $194,000 over the past 18 years. Donations from independent donors and corporate partners make all scholarships provided by the MRAA Educational Foundation possible. To learn more about donating, or to find more information about the MRAA Educational Foundation, visit www.mraa.com/foundation.
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.
The dealer-manufacturer relationship provides a critical link in the customer experience; MRAA’s Scorecard Program fosters meaningful conversations between the parties.
ORLANDO – December 9, 2025 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today the introduction of the marine industry’s first-ever Dealer-Manufacturer Scorecard Program.
Designed to improve the customer experience by fostering meaningful conversations between dealers and manufacturers related to their respective performance in the relationship, the Scorecard Program brings together two years’ worth of insights and wisdom from all corners of the marine industry, in addition to in-depth research both within and outside the marine industry. MRAA used dozens of one-on-one conversations with both dealers and manufacturers and several collaborative strategy meetings with MRAA’s board of directors (all dealers) and Strategic Partners (all manufacturers and service providers) to craft the scorecards, performance categories and several supporting resources.
“The introduction of MRAA’s Dealer-Manufacturer Scorecard Program marks a significant moment for the marine industry,” explains MRAA President Matt Gruhn. “For decades, the boating industry has operated with a unique approach to dealer-manufacturer partnerships and has done so with very few examples of the parties standardizing communication and feedback on the partnership’s performance. This scorecard initiative seeks to not only provide a platform for quality feedback to be delivered to dealers and manufacturers, but through the conversations it will create and the performance improvement opportunities it will identify, we expect that these Scorecards will ultimately lead to a better boat buying and ownership experience.”
Through its extensive research, MRAA identified six key areas in the dealer-manufacturer relationship that impact the customer experience. Through deep analysis of those six key areas, MRAA’s Board and Strategic Partners identified 10 key performance categories for dealers and 10 key performance categories for manufacturers and used them to build out the Scorecards. Once established, MRAA vetted the Scorecards and the performance categories through both its board and several boat manufacturers for further feedback. The Scorecards were finalized in October 2024.
With the launch and announcement of the program, MRAA also noted that two multi-brand boat manufacturers — Correct Craft, Inc. and Malibu, Inc. — are participating in a pilot program to not only collect feedback from their dealers but also provide MRAA feedback on how to continue to fine-tune the Scorecard Program. MRAA has chosen Customer Service Intelligence, Inc. (CSI), a long-time MRAA partner and 30-year leader in customer satisfaction and voice of the customer surveying, to help execute the Scorecard Program. CSI provides a platform and technology to survey dealers and manufacturers and provides comprehensive reports and a dashboard for manufacturers to collect insights for business improvement.
After the pilot program is complete and following any necessary updates, MRAA will roll out an industrywide version of the Dealer-Manufacturer Scorecard Program in 2025. Manufacturers will be invited to participate and MRAA will provide manufacturers with in-depth reporting, to include dealer scores and feedback, action plans, urgent action items, and comparisons against industry averages and segment averages in all categories. Each individual manufacturer’s scores and reporting will be kept confidential. Manufacturers will then work to score each of their dealers and establish two-way communication around the feedback the partners provide each other.
For more information, please visit www.mraa.com/scorecards where you can find sample scorecards, answers to frequently asked questions, and resources to maximize the potential of MRAA’s Dealer-Manufacturer Scorecard Program.
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.
MINNEAPOLIS, DECEMBER 6, 2024– The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Line\5, a leading F&I provider in the automotive, RV, powersports and marine industries, has strengthened its support by upgrading to a Platinum Partner Membership for 2025.
As a Platinum Partner, Line\5 provides significant support for the association while receiving increased marketing exposure, Dealer Week benefits and the opportunity to contribute educational content. Partnerships with Platinum-level support are instrumental in enabling the MRAA to develop and deliver world-class education, resources and programs for the marine dealer community. Their commitment plays a crucial role in empowering marine retailers with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in an evolving industry.
“Our Platinum Partnership with the MRAA reflects our deep commitment to supporting marine retailers and the broader boating community,” said Brenda Cline Kereakes, Chief Operating Officer at Line\5. “We understand the unique challenges and opportunities within the marine industry, and we are proud to provide innovative, flexible service contract financing solutions that empower dealers to succeed. By aligning with the MRAA’s mission, we look forward to contributing to the growth and vitality of this dynamic industry.”
Since 2014, Line\5 has built a legacy rooted in performance, quality and innovation. Over the past decade, the company has emerged as a trusted financing provider, offering tailored solutions across the automotive, RV, powersports and marine industries. Specializing in financing for F&I products, Line\5 is recognized for its commitment to innovation and exceptional service. The company is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer experiences. With a wide range of financing options designed to meet the unique needs of its partners and markets, Line\5 exemplifies precision, reliability and continuous progress – values that align seamlessly with the industries it proudly serves.
“We are excited for Line\5 to elevate their commitment to the MRAA by advancing to Platinum Partners Members,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development. “Their commitment to innovation and financial solutions perfectly aligns with our mission to fuel dealer success, and their enhanced partnership will play a key role in furthering our efforts to advance the marine industry.”
About Line\5 Line\5 was founded to provide flexible, innovative financing solutions across the automotive, RV, powersports, and marine industries. Known for its customer-focused approach and tailored financing options, Line\5 has earned a reputation as a trusted partner for dealerships and consumers alike. By simplifying the lending process and offering competitive terms, Line\5 empowers its partners to drive growth and success. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Line\5 continues to lead the way in the F&I financing space, delivering value and reliability to the industries it serves.
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.
MINNEAPOLIS, DECEMBER 6, 2024 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces the addition of 3D Boats, CBIZ, Digital Power Solutions, EcoPro Products, Extreme Boats Distributing and Glasstream Powerboats as its newest Partner Members.
Marine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers, through Partner Membership, commit to aligning their brands with the programs and opportunities that MRAA offers in its efforts to fuel the success of the marine industry. Support from Partner Members allows the association to expand its offerings and create a positive, long-term impact on MRAA members’ business.
3D Boats (San Antonio, Texas) is transforming the boating industry by integrating LiDAR scanning technology into online boat showcases. This innovation enables sellers and potential buyers to interact with a 3D representation of the boat online, replicating the experience of viewing a physical boat in person.
CBIZ CPAs (Indianapolis, Indiana) is a leading financial services firm offering a comprehensive range of solutions, including tax, accounting, advisory, benefits, insurance and technology services. With a national team focused on dealer education and specialized service offerings, CBIZ is committed to supporting the unique needs of its clients.
Digital Power Solutions (Sheridan, Wyoming) specializes in providing fully integrated, behavior-driven solutions designed to increase sales for dealers. With nearly a century of combined experience in web conversion software, their team is dedicated to solving complex challenges and creating strategies that drive tangible value for both dealer and OEM customers.
EcoPro Products (Nokomis, Florida) specializes in creating solutions that protect both the interior and exterior of watercraft and powersport vehicles from environmental hazards and harmful microbes. Their products are non-flammable, water-soluble and free from VOCs, CFCs, ODCs and HAPs, ensuring they are eco-friendly and safe for the environment.
Extreme Boats Distributing (Brook Park, Ohio) specializes in crafting premium, handcrafted aluminum boats that deliver exceptional stability, customizable designs and superior performance, ensuring every boating experience is both thrilling and safe.
Glasstream Powerboats (Dothan, Alabama) has a longstanding legacy of leading the boating industry with exceptional craftsmanship. Specializing in center console boats, we set ourselves apart from the competition through superior boat-building expertise and a commitment to excellence in every vessel they create.
“Collaborating with these six outstanding companies reinforces our commitment to delivering progressive, creative solutions and unparalleled support to the marine industry,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA VP of Business Development. “These partnerships not only enhance our ability to meet the evolving demands of the industry but also demonstrates our commitment to fostering growth, promoting innovation and creating enduring value for our partners and customers.”
Dealer members are encouraged to explore the list of companies that actively support the MRAA across four partnership levels. View the complete list.
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.
St. Petersburg, FL (December 4, 2024) – Priority One Financial Services, a full-service finance company for marine, RV, trailer and equipment dealers, recently announced a partnership with Rollick, the recreation industry’s leading customer engagement technology provider. The integration simplifies the customer’s path to purchase by connecting Rollick’s digital retailing technology with Priority One’s financing services.
When a dealer works with Rollick and Priority One, customers can shop on the dealer’s website using Rollick’s digital retailing tool and instantly get connected with Priority One to prequalify for financing.
“Rollick helps capture more leads; Priority One helps convert those leads to buyers. It’s a synergy that works well for dealers and ultimately will lead to more closings,” said Nicole Armstrong, Vice President of Corporate Initiatives at Priority One.
Priority One also offers partner integrations with Kenect, MOTOTV and DealerRock DMS to bolster customer conversion.
For a limited time, Priority One dealers will receive $100 off a monthly Rollick subscription with no setup fees. To learn more about the Rollick-Priority One integration, visit p1fs.com/rollick or call (800) 419-1341.
About Priority One Financial Services, Inc. Founded in 1987, Priority One Financial Services, Inc. offers flexible, business-ready finance and insurance solutions for marine, RV, trailer, powersports, park model and equipment dealers. A division of Forest River, a Berkshire Hathaway company, Priority One provides full-service retail financing to customers through industry-leading technology and award-winning service. Headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Fla., the five-time “Best Place to Work”honoree also owns and operates Priority One Equipment Finance and Veritas Insurance Group. For more, visit p1fs.com.
About Rollick Rollick is a technology company that provides software to manufacturers and dealerships in the Powersports, RV, Marine, and industrial/outdoor power equipment industries. Utilized by over 130 OEMs and thousands of dealers, Rollick’s SaaS solutions include enterprise lead management, digital retailing, inventory marketing, post-sale customer experience, and marketing automation. In addition, the company has rapidly built its outdoor recreational vehicle buying marketplace branded for Sam’s Club, US Bank, AAA, major insurance providers, employees at more than 2,000 top U.S. companies, military members, veterans, and first responders. Rollick was founded in 2017, based in Austin, TX, and backed by several venture investment firms, including Silverton Partners and Liveoak Venture Partners. For more information, visit Rollick.io.
Priority One Financial Services and Rollick are MRAA Partners.
MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 2 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announces Dealer Pay has committed to the association as a Platinum Partner Member, and will sponsor a special Dealer Week 2024 educational session next week.
Through Platinum Partner Membership, Dealer Pay provides significant support for the association while receiving increased marketing exposure, Dealer Week benefits and the opportunity to contribute educational content. Commitments from Platinum Partners like Dealer Pay allow the MRAA to create world-class education and programs for the marine dealer body.
“I have never been more excited about how far Dealer Pay has come and where we are heading,” said Julie Douglas, President/CEO, Dealer Pay. “We are growing and expanding our offerings in all dealerships, by creating workarounds, solving problems and introducing new technologies to help dealerships be most successful. Growing into marine has proven that we have done the hard work and are ready to lead the charge, one boat dealer at a time!”
Dealer Pay, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, offers seamless, integrated payment processing and advanced software solutions for retailers within the automotive, powersports and marine industries. Started in 2013, Dealer Pay provides its clients with innovative payment solutions, with a focus on advanced technology and security, mobile and virtual payments, customer loyalty, real-time reporting, improved service and support and more. Dealer Pay will host a sponsored educational session “Relieve Point-of-Sale Pain and Gain Customer Loyalty” in the Service & Parts Pathway on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Dealer Week 2024 in Orlando, Fla.
“Dealer Pay understand the importance of technologies and world-class education and how they can be used to effectively improve dealerships, enrich customer experience and advance the marine industry as a whole,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development. “Through its support as a Platinum Partner Member and a Dealer Week educational session host, Dealer Pay has displayed an extreme commitment to enhance the MRAA’s mission to advance boating.”
About Dealer Pay, LLC Dealer Pay provides modern and “dealer-specific” payment acceptance and point-of-sale technology, serving both franchise and independent dealers nationwide. Dealer Pay has over 24 years’ experience in the space and is expanding with strategic development and integrations. Call 800.226.1007 or visit https://www.dealer-pay.com/.
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.
MINNEAPOLIS, November 27 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today the addition of four new employees: Membership Engagement Coordinator Kaelyn Olson, Senior Accountant Josh Nelson, Senior Director of Marketing Bob Stanke and Senior Marketing Specialist Gunnar Davies.
“Bringing Kaelyn, Josh, Bob and Gunnar to the MRAA team has strengthened our team in so many different ways and in all functions of our business, from member engagement to business development to financial management,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Adding four new employees will also make us more effective in delivering on our important mission of helping our members grow and prosper.”
All four team members will be in attendance at MRAA’s Dealer Week Conference & Expo in Orlando, Dec. 8-11, where they will have the opportunity to engage with members and participate in bringing the MRAA mission to life.
Kaelyn Olson
Kaelyn Olson — Membership Engagement Coordinator Olson will lead the management and execution of deliverables for MRAA’s Partner Memberships and Dealer Week exhibitors while collaborating with the sales and marketing teams to ensure quality customer service. She has a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health and professional experience in customer service, management and sales. In her free time, she loves spending time with family, cooking and going out on the town with friends.
“I am thrilled to be working with such a devoted and enthusiastic group of people,” says Olson. “I am confident that my unique background will bring a fresh perspective, enabling me to contribute to the team’s mission and help elevate the experiences and outcomes for our partners.”
Josh Nelson
Josh Nelson — Senior Accountant Nelson will record daily transactions, prepare financial statements and help all MRAA business units best manage their financial reports to achieve their goals. He has a Bachelor’s of Accountancy and over 10 years of experience in the public and private accounting sectors. Nelson enjoys running, traveling and spending time with friends.
“When I came in for my interview at MRAA, I noticed all the books, some I had read and many others recommended by podcasts I listen to … this is when I knew I would fit in,” says Nelson. “This is a fun group that is also very passionate about our work. I am happy to have the opportunity to help with that.”
Bob Stanke
Bob Stanke — Senior Director of Marketing Stanke will lead the MRAA’s marketing department, providing strategic direction and management of the Association’s brand messaging, processes and marketing of products, services and educational programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Information Systems. He has over 25 years of experience in marketing and marketing technology, with proficiency in consumer goods, health and fitness, sports and entertainment and financial services. Outside of work, Stanke enjoys hanging out with his wife and four kids and can be found on golf courses in Minnesota or western Wisconsin.
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at the MRAA,” says Stanke. “I look forward to contributing my skills and collaborating with the exceptional professionals at the MRAA to advance our mission of fueling dealer success in the marine industry.”
Gunnar Davies
Gunnar Davies — Senior Marketing Specialist Davies will monitor and analyze leads across all marketing channels, ensuring alignment of marketing content strategies and managing social media platforms to drive engagement and results. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and several years of experience in the boat manufacturing industry. Outside the office, Davies, a self-described podcast fanatic, is a four-season outdoorsman who enjoys working out, reading and playing and coaching hockey.
“I am thrilled to join such a talented and dedicated team at MRAA, where there is significant growth and opportunity to drive marine dealership success,” says Davies. “I am eager to contribute to MRAA’s mission of supporting a thriving boating industry for marine retailers.”
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.
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