U.S. Senate Passes Modern Fish Act

Washington, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S.1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). The legislation, which would make critical updates to the oversight of federal fisheries, marks a big step forward for America’s angling community and now moves to the U.S. House for final passage.

“Today is an important day for America’s 11 million saltwater anglers thanks to the leadership of Senator Roger Wicker and a broad, bipartisan coalition of senators,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “Senate passage of the Modern Fish Act proved today that marine recreational fishing is a nonpartisan issue, and anglers are closer than ever to being properly recognized in federal law.”
 
The Modern Fish Act, introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) in July 2017, enjoyed strong support across the aisle from more than a dozen Senate cosponsors representing coastal and non-coastal states alike. In addition, a coalition of organizations representing the saltwater recreational fishing and boating community endorsed the Modern Fish Act and highlighted the importance of updating the nation’s fisheries management system to more accurately distinguish between recreational and commercial fishing.
 
“We applaud the U.S. Senate for approving this commonsense legislation, which will modernize our federal fisheries management system and protect recreational angling for generations to come,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The recreational boating industry – a uniquely American-made industry that contributes $39 billion in annual sales and supports 35,000 businesses – now calls on the U.S. House of Representatives to immediately take up, pass, and send the Modern Fish Act to President Trump’s desk.”
 
On July 11, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Modern Fish Act (H.R. 2023) as part of H.R. 200. However, differences between H.R. 200 and S.1520 require that the full House take a vote on S.1520 before it is sent to the President’s desk. America’s recreational fishing and boating community is urging the House to quickly advance the Modern Fish Act to the President’s desk before the conclusion of this Congress.
 
“The Senate’s passage of the Modern Fish Act demonstrates a clear recognition of the importance of saltwater recreational fishing to the nation,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “This version of the Modern Fish Act helps to advance many of the collective priorities of the recreational fishing community for improving federal marine fisheries management. There are 11 million saltwater anglers in the U.S. who have a $63 billion economic impact annually and generate 440,000 jobs.”
 
If passed, the Modern Fish Act will provide more stability and better access for anglers by:

  • Providing authority and direction to NOAA Fisheries to apply additional management tools more appropriate for recreational fishing, many of which are successfully implemented by state fisheries agencies (e.g., extraction rates, fishing mortality targets, harvest control rules, or traditional or cultural practices of native communities);
  • Improving recreational harvest data collection by requiring federal managers to explore other data sources that have tremendous potential to improve the accuracy and timeliness of harvest estimates, such as state-driven programs and electronic reporting (e.g., through smartphone apps);
  • Requiring the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the process of mixed-use fishery allocation review by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Regional Fishery Management Councils and report findings to Congress within one year of enactment of the Modern Fish Act, and
  • Requiring the National Academies of Sciences to complete a study and provide recommendations within two years of the enactment of the Modern Fish Act on limited access privilege programs (catch shares) including an assessment of the social, economic, and ecological effects of the program, considering each sector of a mixed-use fishery and related businesses, coastal communities, and the environment and an assessment of any impacts to stakeholders in a mixed-use fishery caused by a limited access privilege program. This study excludes the Pacific and North Pacific Regional Fishery Management Councils

“We are proud of the extensive work that went into producing this bill and are grateful to our champions in Congress who worked to establish recreational angling as an important component in the management of our nation’s fisheries, at long last,” said Patrick Murray, president of Coastal Conservation Association. “Thanks to this effort, the recreational angling community is better positioned than ever to address ongoing shortcomings in our nation’s fisheries laws and we look forward to continuing this work with our elected officials to ensure the proper conservation of our country’s marine resources and anglers’ access to them.”
 
“The Modern Fish Act is a very positive step forward for anglers and conservation,” said Whit Fosburgh, president of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “It will improve fisheries data and encourage managers to think about new ways of managing fisheries to benefit both conservation and access.”
 
In 2014, the priorities of the recreational fishing and boating community were identified and presented to federal policy makers by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management in a report “A Vision for Managing America’s Saltwater Recreational Fisheries.” This diverse group made up of a variety of fisheries stakeholders is also referred to as the Morris-Deal Commission, named for co-chairs Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group. Four years later, many of the recommendations of the Morris-Deal Commission are found in the Modern Fish Act.
 
“Through the legislative process, the Modern Fish Act has proven to many on Capitol Hill that recreational fishing is worthy of recognition as a driving force for American jobs and the national economy — not just a sport,” said Jim Donofrio, president of the Recreational Fishing Alliance.
 
The recreational fishing and boating community thanks Senator Wicker for leading the Modern Fish Act through the Senate. While certain provisions of the original legislation proved too difficult to enact now, many core provisions of the Modern Fish Act are found in the final bill. We urge the incoming Congress to continue working to improve the way recreational fisheries are managed at the federal level.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Names New Executive Director

Washington, D.C. –  The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Board of Directors announced the appointment of Jessica Wahl as executive director following an extensive national search. Jessica brings a decade of experience navigating the halls of The White House, Department of the Interior (DOI), Capitol Hill, state recreation offices and outdoor lifestyle businesses.

“Jessica is the ideal person to take on the new role of executive director at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and chairman of the board for ORR. “Her demonstrated leadership in raising the profile of the Outdoor Recreation Economy combined with her proven skills in championing meaningful policy changes that positively impact the entire outdoor recreation community make Jess the perfect choice. She is a passionate advocate for outdoor recreation, a tireless convener and results-oriented change agent.”

“I am honored to be chosen as the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s executive director,” said Wahl. “I have always had a deep personal connection to the great outdoors and have spent my career working to connect more people to these special places. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with America’s leading outdoor recreation organizations to grow the outdoor recreation economy that impacts so many livelihoods and communities. By creating a shared national vision for outdoor recreation, we can improve access to our parks, trails, campgrounds and waters, and ensure a better quality of life for all Americans.”

Prior to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Wahl directed Outdoor Industry Association’s outdoor recreation portfolio in Washington D.C. where she successfully gained landmark government recognition of outdoor recreation’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product. In 2018, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that outdoor recreation makes up 2.2% of the nation’s GDP and is one of America’s leading industry sectors.

Wahl is also the cofounder and past-chair of the Coalition for Outdoor Access working to reform outfitter and guide permitting systems within federal land agencies, an effort designed to help more Americans gain access to the outdoors. Before OIA, Wahl worked at DOI in the Office of the Interior Secretary where she managed First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Outside! and Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiatives. She has received a Master of Arts in American Government from Georgetown University.

“We are very excited for Jessica Wahl to take the helm for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable” said Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “She has already asserted herself as a leader in the outdoor recreation policy space, and we are confident that she will continue to advance the ORR’s priorities”

Wahl joins ORR on January 7 and will succeed Derrick Crandall, the long-time president of American Recreation Coalition (ARC) and current ORR president. Since the April 2018 announcement of the merger between ARC and the Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable that formed ORR, Crandall has led the successful integration of the two entities. After a short leadership transition, Crandall will step down from ORR but continue to consult on ORR’s Partners Outdoors and Great Outdoors Month programs as well as continue his distinguished career as the ORR board representative for the National Park Hospitality Association.

About Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is the nation’s premier coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and related organizations working to promote the policy reforms needed to enhance the outdoor recreation economy. Combined, ORR members produce an annual $734 billion output for the U.S. economy making up 2.2% of America’s GDP. Please visit www.RecreationRoundtable.org for more information on the coalition’s activities and membership.

MRAA, Dominion Domains Provide Website Marketing Guidance

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, in partnership with Dominion Domains, is unveiling the digital publication, Evaluate Your Website’s Domain, Design and Digital Content, today at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla. This guide – authored by Jim Million of Professional Resource Group and Million Learning – is the first in a three-part series titled: The 3Ds of Effective Website Marketing.

Many times, today’s buyer visits a dealership’s website before deciding whether to step foot in the store, making it critical for dealers to get their online visitor experience right. This digital publication, Evaluate Your Website’s Domain, Design and Digital Content, will help dealers identify opportunities to improve their internet presence. Specifically, it offers three checklists dealers can use to assess their current website.

“Our company was founded on the belief that the internet can be a better tool for consumers making life’s big purchase decisions and for the companies that sell those products,” says Jim Schrand, General Manager of Dominion Domains, the operators of the .boats domain name extension. “That’s why a project like this is so close to our hearts. We are thrilled to partner with MRAA to sponsor education that can help dealers improve their online performance.”

This series will lead marine retailers through the three-step process of evaluating their websites, using the results of the evaluation to realign their website strategies, and then finally taking action to implement the changes necessary to improve their results.
 
“As digital marketing technology and consumer behavior change, dealers are tasked with determining what it means to them and how to best adapt,” says Liz Walz, MRAA Vice President and Director of Education. “Through this series of educational publications, MRAA is putting the tools in dealers’ hands to not only answer these questions for themselves, but also take the steps to carry out those improvements. We are incredibly grateful to Dominion Domains for making this project possible.”
 
The first digital publication in the series – Evaluate Your Website’s Domain, Design and Digital Content – is available to MRAA retail members at www.mraa.com/page/guides and to attendees of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo on the event’s digital downloads page.

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.

About Dominion Domains
Dominion Domains provides domain names and related products and services with a focus on five domain extensions including .boats, .yachts, .homes, .motorcycles, and .autos TLDs.  Founded in the belief that the internet can be a better tool for consumers making life’s big purchase decisions and for the companies that sell those products, Dominion Domains works closely with registrars and end-users to help transform the digital identities of businesses and individuals. Their headquarters is located in Norfolk, Va.

MRAA Hosts Industry Leaders for Dealer Week Strategy Session

Nearly 60 leaders from around the marine industry helped craft the vision for MRAA’s rebranded annual conference.

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas fine-tuned its vision and strategy for Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference & Expo, through a collaborative strategy meeting with nearly 60 leaders from around the marine industry.

Featuring a hand-selected group of dealers, manufacturers, suppliers and MRAA staff, the day-and-a-half Dealer Week strategy session was moderated by event experience design consultant David Lutz of Velvet Chainsaw at the Tampa Convention Center, home to Dealer Week 2019. The cohort included members of the MRAA board, Young Leaders Advisory Council and Conference Transition Committee, as well as some of the MRAA Annual Conference’s largest supporting manufacturers and suppliers.

“With Dealer Week we want, first and foremost, to broaden the impact that our world class educational programming can have on the marine industry,” said Matt Gruhn, President of the MRAA. “There was a great deal of passion from each of the dealers, our partners and our staff for taking ownership in driving greater dealer attendance and ensuring that we reach a larger audience with MRAA’s array of tools and resources available through Dealer Week.”

Companies that participated in the strategy conversation include: ARI Network Services, Austin Boats & Motors, Bennington Marine, Blue Springs Marine, Boats Group, BRP Marine, Brunswick Corp., Buckeye Marine, CDK Global Recreation, Clark Marine, Cleveland Boat Center, Correct Craft, Family Boating Centers, Galati Yacht Sales, Global Marine Insurance, Gordy’s Lakefront Marine, Hagadone Marine Group, Hoffmaster’s Marina, Infinity Woven Products, MarineMax, Inc., Mount Dora Boating Center, National Marine Distributors Association, National Marine Lenders Association, Nautique Boats, One Water Marine, Port Harbor Marine, Priority One Financial Services, Quality Boats, Reed’s Marine, Smoker Craft, Inc., Spader Business Management, Strong’s Marine, Taylor’s South Shore Marina, Volvo Penta and Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance.

Day One of the strategy session kicked off with a presentation on 21st Century conference experiences, before working groups began discussions and presentations on Dealer Week’s target attendee and their needs, challenges, jobs, pains and gains. That afternoon, the group discussed and brainstormed ideas for differentiating and making the Dealer Week expo experience more effective for dealers and exhibitors alike.

On Day 2, the MRAA team presented its vision for Dealer Week through the perspective of an attendee journey map. The group discussed the vision for each part of the journey and provided feedback and direction for how MRAA and its partners can work together to enhance it further to make it more rewarding and impactful. The meeting ended with an overview of Dealer Week’s marketing plan, the creation of a strategy task force and a vision for maximizing the impact that Dealer Week can have on the marine industry.

“For our team and all of the participants of this session, the focus was on creating greater opportunities for our dealers and our industry,” says Liz Walz, Vice President and Director of Education at the MRAA. “We’re proud of what our annual conference has accomplished over the last decade, but we know that through Dealer Week, we can accomplish more by collaborating with this group of leaders and by keeping our focus on building a great experience for our dealers.”

About Dealer Week
For more than 40 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world-class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry and serve today’s boaters. Dealer Week evolves as MRAA’s rebranded and reimagined annual conference and expo, a profoundly new event experience designed to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. The MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is the preeminent means for bringing that vision to life. Learn more at www.DealerWeek.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the MRAA, our team believes that for the marine industry to find growth and success, the dealers on the front lines of our industry must first find success. With that in mind, we work to create a strong and healthy boating industry by providing dealers with tools, resources and educational programs — such as MRAATraining.com, the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program, and Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference & Expo — and by representing those businesses with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.

MRAA launches Dealer Week, an all-new dealer conference experience

Rebranded, reimagined annual conference to be held Dec. 8-11, 2019, in Tampa.

The Marine Retailers Association of the America’s annual conference and expo has been rebranded and reimagined as “Dealer Week. The MRAA Conference and Expo,” and the all-new event experience will be held Dec. 8-11, 2019, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.

Celebrating the 43rd anniversary of its annual conference, MRAA has developed a profoundly new event experience designed to engage, energize and empower boat and engine dealers and their teams so they can continue to lead the marine industry to greater growth and success. This conference evolution has already garnered the support of several MRAA Strategic Partners: Brunswick Dealer Advantage, Correct Craft, Global Marine Insurance, Volvo Penta, and Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance.

In addition to the world-class educational programming that the marine industry has come to expect from the MRAA, Dealer Week will deliver deeper collaborative opportunities and a richer experience that will showcase business solutions in all-new ways.

“We have designed Dealer Week so that dealers of all shapes, sizes and levels of sophistication can engage in a memorable, rewarding learning experience that will make their businesses and their bottom lines stronger,” says Matt Gruhn, President of the MRAA. “Our goal is not to simply educate for the sake of education. Our goal is impact. Everything we’ve designed with this reimagined event experience has been built on a foundation of maximizing the impact that Dealer Week can have for the marine industry.”

MRAA has invested more than two years in designing and building Dealer Week, researching and studying conference experience trends and solidifying a foundation that can deliver real-world value and impact. Attending several conferences, investing in numerous event-production materials, adding to its staff and retaining the services of an event experience design consultancy, MRAA has launched this new era of its annual conference with more expertise and passion than ever before.

“Dealer Week is the in-person embodiment of everything we offer at the MRAA. Our association exists to invest in the growth of the marine dealer body and the marine industry, and you’ll see that investment come to life at Dealer Week,” says Liz Walz, Vice President and Director of Education at the MRAA. “We already offer high-level educational programs, developed specifically for marine dealers, but our event-based education is improving. At Dealer Week, we’re stepping it up by adding new elements, a variety of learning opportunities and deeper dives into the topics that matter most to dealership success. The Dealer Week education experience will be unlike anything our dealers have experienced before.”

About Dealer Week
For more than 40 years, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has delivered world-class educational programming to dealers, retailers and service operations that power the boating industry and serve today’s boaters. Dealer Week evolves as MRAA’s rebranded and reimagined annual conference and expo, a profoundly new event experience designed to engage, energize and empower the dealer community. The MRAA envisions a brighter future for marine retail, and Dealer Week is the preeminent means for bringing that vision to life. Learn more at www.DealerWeek.com.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the MRAA, our team believes that for the marine industry to find growth and success, the dealers on the front lines of our industry must first find success. With that in mind, we work to create a strong and healthy boating industry by providing dealers with tools, resources and educational programs — such as MRAATraining.com, the Marine Industry Certified Dealership Program, and Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference & Expo — and by representing those businesses with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.

Goettling Named Marine Industry College Scholarship Recipient

Carter Goettling, a marine technician apprentice at Blue Springs Marine in Blue Springs, Mo., and a full-time welding student at Metropolitan Community College, has been selected as the recipient of the third annual Marine Industry College Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The scholarship was presented at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo on Sunday evening, Dec. 9, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
 
After completely rebuilding his family’s boat, Carter has worked toward a professional career within the marine industry. For the past three years, he has contributed to the success of Blue Springs Marine in many ways. He started in the service department as a Parts Associate and has since earned the title of Technician Apprentice.
 
The Marine Industry College Scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Priority One Financial Services, Global Marine Insurance Agency, and the MRAA Educational Foundation. It offers Retail Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, their employees, and their dependents the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 college scholarship to financially assist in the training and education of those working in or planning for a career in the marine industry.  For applicants to be considered for the scholarship, they must display a passion for the boating lifestyle, be preparing for or currently engaged in a career in the recreational boating business, and show evidence of enrollment in an accredited college, university or post-secondary technical school program.
 
In his scholarship application, Goettling shared his desire to continue his education after school and become a master technician. He wrote, “I have been a part of the marine industry for most of my life, and I hope that it continues to be a large part of the rest of my life.”
 
“If our industry wants to grow, we need to support the education of people like Carter who are pursuing careers in marine retailing,” says Stacy Greenwood of Cleveland Boat Center and the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We’ve seen what a difference this scholarship can make in the lives of our recipients, and we can’t wait to see how it propels Carter’s career.”

Angela Pilkington Named Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year

Angela Pilkington of Correct Craft Holding Company has been selected as the recipient of the thirty-second annual Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award. The award was presented to Pilkington by the 2017 award recipient, Wanda Kenton Smith, on Sunday evening, Dec. 9, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
 
The Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award is named after the late Darlene Briggs of Wayzata, Minn., who was admired for her tireless dedication to the marine industry. The MRAA and Boating Industry magazine together present the award to honor her memory. It is offered annually to an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry at any level. It recognizes long and devoted service, untiring commitment, and the advancement of women in the marine business. The recipient receives an award and a check for $500 to be used for her professional development.

“Angela’s dedication to her company, its employees and the boating business are an inspiration,” comments MRAA Educational Foundation Executive Director Liz Walz. “She demonstrates that tremendous professional growth can be achieved in our great industry through the pursuit of ongoing education and opportunities for development.”
 
Pilkington started her career in the marine industry over 37 years ago. In 1981, she was hired at Correct Craft as a temporary employee. Since then, she has worked her way through the positions of secretary, office manager, director of administration, vice president of administration, chief operations offer, chief financial officer, and now, her most recent position, executive vice president/chief of staff.
 
In reflecting on her own strategies for success, she encourages the women in the marine industry to work hard and to continue to learn. “I have been fortunate through a lot of hard work, as well as supports of others, to achieve success in my career,” Pilkington wrote in her application. “I want to give back to those who are employees at Correct Craft and subsidiaries to encourage them to strive for more, never settle and give your all.”
 
In addition to success in a professional capacity, Pilkington also dedicates time to mission-driven work. She is a board member of Empower, an organization whose primary focus is to counsel teens with substance abuse or behavioral issues; she chaired a committee to raise funds for As Our Own, an organization in India that recuses girls from the slave trade; and she has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Nautique Cares. In addition, she has taken a personal interest in mentoring several Correct Craft team members.
 
 “As more and more women are employed by the marine industry, they will share their experiences, good or bad, with their friends, associates, children, etc.,” noted Pilkington in her application. “It is up to us – the women already working in the marine industry – to encourage women to join us.”

Patrick Green Named 2018 Kevin Lodder Scholarship Recipient

Patrick Green, Director of Certification and Customer Service Manager at Tobler Marina of Hayden, Idaho, has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Kevin Lodder Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The scholarship recipient was honored Sunday evening, Dec. 9, at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
 
This scholarship was founded in 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 Spader Total Management 1 Workshop in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a stipend to offset travel expenses.
 
From the very beginning of his career, Patrick Green has persistently pursued opportunities for growth. Today, when he sets his eyes on the future, he aspires to run his own marine dealership as a general manager or owner. But he acknowledges that the path to realize that goal involves continued education and training.  
 
“I have learned over the past 15 years working in the industry that Spader programs are essential to leadership,” he wrote in his application. “I believe that the accounting principles, best practices, and accountability workshops taught in the Spader training are going to enable me to take the ball and confidently execute processes to my everyday roles in the dealership.”
 
The Spader Total Management 1 Workshop is a five-day program in Sioux Falls, S.D., geared toward decision makers, leaders, and key employees. Topics covered include decision-making processes, business adaptability, pricing practices, inter-department profit plans, and communication skills.
 
“Anyone who has spent much time in the boating business knows that it takes real persistence and passion for your work to find success,” comments Matt Lodder of Marine Sales Group and the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “Those qualities make Patrick an ideal candidate for the Kevin Lodder Scholarship. By applying that persistence and passion to what he learns during the Total Management 1 Workshop, he will turn this investment of our Foundation’s funds into real results for him, Tobler Marina, and the industry.”

Kalina Named First-Ever Recipient of the Marine Apprentice Technician Scholarship

Austin Kalina, a marine technician apprentice at Indian Lake Marina, in Central City, Pa., has been selected as the first recipient of the Marine Apprentice Technician Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The scholarship was presented at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo on Sunday evening, Dec. 9, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
 
Before bringing Kalina on board as an apprentice technician, the dealership had searched for an experienced marine technician for several months with no luck, according to General Manager Brandon Mick. Kalina’s application demonstrated limited boat repair experience and zero formal marine technician training, but his passion for learning shone through clearly. Since he has joined the team, his appetite for knowledge and team-oriented approach to his work has made him a “great fit,” according to Mick, who nominated him.
 
In his application, Kalina wrote: “The ability to go and receive more in-depth training would allow me to reach my goal of becoming a marine technician sooner. I hope to one day be able to be certified and maybe expand our shop at the marina. I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge any way that I can.”
 
The Marine Apprentice Technician Scholarship was created to offer financial assistance to dealership apprentice technician personnel while attending engine manufacturer training as they work their way to becoming certified. Each year, the recipient of the scholarship will receive $1,000 to cover travel expenses related to said training.
 
“Apprenticeship is one of dealers’ most powerful solutions to the technician shortage,” says Jeff Siems of Blue Springs Marine, who serves as president of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to support dealerships like Indian Lake Marina and individuals like Austin through this scholarship, as we know the end result will be a stronger workforce to carry our industry into the future.”

Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Awarded Technical Scholarship

The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Marine Trade Association Technical Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The scholarship was presented to Melissa Danko, executive director of the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo on Sunday evening, Dec. 9, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
 
The MRAA Educational Foundation’s MTA Technical Scholarship funds will be distributed through the new MTA/NJ Technical Training Scholarship program. The New Jersey association created this scholarship as a way to expand its Foundation’s support of members with their training and certification needs. As a result, four members of the MTA/NJ, selected by the MTA/NJ Education Committee, will be awarded full scholarships to attend the ABYC’s Marine Systems Certification Course.
 
Initially underwritten by the OMC Foundation and now made possible by industry donations, the purpose of the MRAA Technical Scholarship is to offer financial assistance for technical training of current and prospective dealership personnel. Applying marine trade associations must show evidence of plans to offer a scholarship for technical training of marine dealership personnel in the year ahead and commit to matching the $1,500 scholarship provided to the association, should they be selected.
 
“The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey shares our dedication to helping marine businesses train and grow their employees,” says Matt Lodder of Marine Sales Group and the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We are proud to be able to support their efforts – and contribute to the professional development of four of their members – through this scholarship.”