Member Spotlight: Adrian Spiker II

As natural leader with the drive for continuous improvement, Adrian Spiker, of Deep Creek Marina, continues to learn and improve the marina he owns and operates in in McHenry, MD.

Q: How did you get started in the boating industry?

Spiker: My mother had a 10% interest in a marina here on Deep Creek Lake and her partners decided it was time for them to sell.  It was not a profitable or well-run business at that time and the buildings /grounds were run-down. I thought I could turn it around and make a reasonable living at it.  Since it had an existing marina permit, I made the purchase and probably over-paid but it did get me started.

Q: How would you describe your formula for success?

Hard work every day, continuing to keep an open mind to new ideas and continually expanding my education through training courses, seminars and industry groups.  The challenge is to get the new ideas implemented because staff is always resistant to change, but they see me every day at each of our locations and it is my responsibility to lead the entire team.

Q: What would you say is the most interesting decision you’ve made during your time in the boat business?

Borrowing the money to build a new multi-million dollar showroom in late 2006 with the showroom then not being finished for operations until late 2007 – right at the start of the horrible recession.  Luckily, we survived but we had sheer moments of terror.

Q: What are your hopes for our industry?

The boating industry needs to do a better and more consistent job of creating a sales funnel for new boaters—they need to generate more enthusiasm for boating at all levels.
 
Q: What are the 5 things that people may not know about you?

  1. Although I have a degree is business administration, my educational focus was law school.
  2. I love motorcycle racing and still try to participate even now.
  3. I am the “go to guy” at Deep Creek Marina when the mechanics are having diagnostic issues; I personally take the training classes and acquire the necessary certifications.
  4. My family has been natives of Garrett County since it was first settled in the mid-1700’s.  I am an 11th generation native, so……this is my home; I am a local.
  5. My mother was surprised when I did not major in mechanical engineering because when I was 9 years old, I completely disassembled my bicycle in her garage.  She was sure she would never park there again, but I did re-assemble and ride the bike.  I still like to get motors running smoothly, but I sometimes leave a trail of parts behind me.

If you have a nomination for the Member Spotlight section of our newsletter, please send an email to mickaela@mraa.com.

Secretary Zinke Proposes Expansion of Fishing Access At National Wildlife Refuges

Continuing his efforts to increase access to public lands, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced yesterday a proposal to open more than 248,000 acres to new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 30 national wildlife refuges.

Opportunities include places like Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois and Wisconsin, and deer hunting in Philadelphia at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge being proposed for the first time. The proposal also outlines expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 136 national wildlife refuges. If finalized, this would bring the number of units of the National Wildlife Refuge System where the public may fish to 312.

“As stewards of our public lands, Interior is committed to opening access wherever possible for hunting and fishing so that more families have the opportunity to pass down this American heritage,” Secretary Zinke said. “These 30 refuges will provide incredible opportunities for American sportsmen and women across the country to access the land and connect with wildlife.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) proposal would open more new acres to hunting and fishing than in the past and takes steps to simplify regulations to more closely match state hunting and fishing regulations.

Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed more than $156 billion in economic activity in communities across the United States in 2016 according to the Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years. More than 101 million Americans – 40 percent of the U.S. population 16 and older – pursue wildlife-related recreation, such as hunting, fishing and birding.

“Ensuring public lands are open for multiple uses supports local economies and provides important opportunities for recreation. Further, this proposal means that families and individuals across our nation will be better able to participate in our nation’s tradition of hunting and fishing. We appreciate Secretary Zinke and the Interior Department for advancing this priority, and we will continue to work to improve access to public lands for our sportsmen,” said Senator John Hoeven.

“Public lands should be open for the public to enjoy,” said Chairman Rob Bishop of Utah. “The Department of the Interior’s latest decision to expand acreage and access for hunting and fishing on wildlife refuges was the right move. Secretary Zinke’s decision will help our economy grow and enable those who hunt and fish to spend more time catching game and less time caught in red tape.”

“North Dakota is a sportsman’s paradise. The decision to expand access to public lands by opening more than 248,000 acres across the nation to hunting and fishing will provide new economic opportunities for local communities as well as open up new areas for anglers and hunters,” said Congressman Kevin Cramer. “For the first time, the J. Clark Salyer and Lostwood National Wildlife Refuges will be open to moose hunting. I commend the Secretary’s decision and look forward to working with the department.”

“Hunters, anglers and shooting sports enthusiasts play a crucial role in funding the management and conservation of North America’s wildlife,” said Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan. “We are providing sportsmen and women with more access to our national wildlife refuges and streamlining regulations to more closely align with our state partners. And that’s good news for our customers.”

The Service manages hunting and fishing programs to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while also offering other traditional wildlife-dependent recreation on public lands, such as wildlife watching and photography. The Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 566 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. There is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas.

“The proposed expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities through working partnership with the states is a demonstration of Secretary Zinke’s commitment to our nation’s outdoor heritage and the conservation community,” said Virgil Moore, President of the Association of the Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. “These efforts reaffirm the tremendous value of quality wildlife habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hunting and fishing, in connecting millions of Americans to the outdoors.”

“We applaud Secretary Zinke and the Fish and Wildlife Service for their continued commitment to increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing within the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Interior on increasing access for sportsmen and women.”

More than 53 million Americans visit refuges every year. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature watching, photography and environmental education. In doing so, they support regional economies to the tune of $2.4 billion dollars per year and support more than 35,000 jobs.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, when they are compatible with an individual refuge’s purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is currently permitted on 337 wildlife refuges and 37 wetland management districts. Fishing is currently permitted on 277 wildlife refuges and 34 wetland management districts.

The Rest of the Story

A question from the MRAA Employee Satisfaction Survey that often receives low scores is: “I am compensated fairly for the work I perform.” You’re probably not surprised by this. But did you know that dealerships that hold regularly scheduled performance reviews tend to have higher scores on this question because they address this issue in their employee discussions?

Naturally, employees tend to focus on their gross or net pay and forget that the dealer is paying for their employment tax, federal unemployment insurance, and other valuable benefits. If the employee is not reminded about this additional compensation, we find that this question stays at the top of the dissatisfaction list. Even those dealerships that excel at delivering on-time performance reviews may be missing a huge intangible called: “Learning Income.” If you want to dig into the meaning of this term and consider how it can benefit your dealership, start with this blog written by 2016 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo keynote speaker Josh Linkner.

Performance reviews don’t need to be a hassle that managers and employee work to avoid. They are a great chance to review some of the more delicate areas that are required to keep employees engaged and loyal to your dealership. These meetings are also a terrific time to review and update job descriptions by “engaging” the employee in the conversation.

Don’t have a performance review process? MRAA Members, check out our 10 Tips for Marine Dealership Performance Reviews.

Cultivating Communities

Imagine walking into a room full of friends who share your best interests and are confident that you are invested in their best interests. What does that feel like? I liken it to walking into a room full of trust, learning and support.

That is the feeling I had when I walked into the Sunset meeting room in Rhode Island where the National Marine Trades Association Council met May 15-18. The marine industry has so much to share with each other and when we support the work we are all invested in, we cultivate community that results in collaboration and excellence. We do this on an association level at MRAA because we feel that we need to be united as an industry to fight the challenges that we all face, like the workforce shortage issue and getting new boaters on the water.

Turning this around, how can dealerships cultivate communities in their local area and is it worth the energy, and possibly financial, investment? Absolutely, it is worth it and the results of crafting a community around your company has dividends that will pay for years.

Creating spaces for people who live in your market to come out to an event that you put on or are present at to show investment in enriching the community will increase visibility for your brand and demonstrate your commitment to the people who live in your area. By partnering with your local marine trades association or your city’s chamber of commerce, you will increase your visibility to your market and show your investment to the community.

Partnerships with local groups to cultivate community could increase your access to potential buyers and employees. Putting your dealership brand out in front of the community, investing in children’s activities and your brand’s impact will holistically increase. For example, touch-a-boat events are targeted at getting children out and interested in learning about boats and boating. What do children bring with them? Adults! Those adults could be your prospect customers and potential employees.

Say YES to Amendment 43 – Limited 2018 South Atlantic Red Snapper Season

NOAA Fisheries is considering new regulations that would open the door for a 2018 limited season for red snapper in the South Atlantic. Called Amendment 43, it would allow recreational anglers to harvest one red snapper per person per day. Fishing would be allowed on weekends only and the season start and end dates would be announced if the amendment is approved.

The South Atlantic red snapper stock has increased in abundance over the last several years at an even faster rate than predicted. All signs point to a quickly rebuilding fishery. By allowing a limited season, the amendment will reduce the socio-economic hardships experienced by fishermen and fishing communities while continuing to rebuild the fishery. It would also provide much needed harvest and discard data for stock assessments.

Tell NOAA that you support Amendment 43 and a limited 2018 red snapper season in the South Atlantic. TAKE ACTION HERE.

Industry Gathers in DC for American Boating Congress

Starting today, MRAA and other representatives of the recreational boating industry will convene in Washington DC for the annual American Boating Congress. ABC is the industry’s primary political and legislative gathering, where all sectors of recreational boating work for three full days to present a unified front to congress on the critical issues impacting our industry. Top issues this year will include addressing the workforce crisis in the marine industry, getting the Modern Fish Act passed, and stopping the year-round sale of E15.

Read more about the ABC program here: http://www.nmma.org/government/abc

Regardless of whether you are or are not registered to attend, participating in our digital conversation will help elevate our policy priorities to Member of Congress. We encourage you to engage with us on social media and help spread the word about the most important issues facing the recreational boating industry. You can access sample tweets and posts, images and videos here.

Make sure to use the hashtag #ABC2018 and share the link above with your entire team. Elected officials and their staff pay close attention to social media, and engagement from your entire team will strengthen our advocacy. 

MRAA, NMMA, RIMTA publish Guide to Growing the Workforce

Marine industry guide seeks to serve as a roadmap for empowering employers.

Today, as the result of a yearlong collaborative effort, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association announce the release of “10+1 Strategy: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce.”

Endorsed by 25 national, regional and state trade associations, the “10+1 Strategy: Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce” represents an industrywide business plan in the form of an all-new, instructive document designed to help address the workforce challenges currently facing the marine industry. Commissioned as a result of a joint board meeting between the MRAA and NMMA boards of directors and authored by Wendy Mackie and her expert team at the Rhode Island MTA, the guide features 10 specific strategies intended to cultivate a unified approach toward building our workforce, as well as a “plus 1” strategy that calls for the hiring of a national workforce coordinator to spearhead the industry efforts.

“This comprehensive, 30-page document provides action-oriented, solution-based approaches, in addition to myriad resources that we hope provide clear direction for the successful growth of our industry’s employers,” said Matt Gruhn and Thom Dammrich, presidents of the MRAA and NMMA, respectively, in a joint statement. “Our sincere gratitude to Wendy Mackie and her team at RIMTA for dedicating their years of knowledge, expertise and understanding of the critical issues behind the workforce challenges to the creation of this plan.”

Underpinning the 11 strategies are nearly 90 specific tactics and more than 20 individual resources that can be implemented and used by national, regional and state trade associations as well as industry employers. The guide seeks to serve as a roadmap for employers to begin taking matters into their own hands, wherever they are and whatever their existing support or budget limitations may be.

“This plan provides a strong response to the issues impacting our industry’s employers,” added Mackie, who is the CEO of RIMTA. “What we are most proud of is that it provides real-world, actionable solutions and empowers our employers to begin using the recommended tactics today. For boating to be successful in the economy, now and into the future, we must build a workforce that will allow for growth, success and sustainability. We believe we’ve taken an enormous step in that direction with the publishing of this Guide.”
 
The 10+1 Strategy includes the following focal points. For full insight into the guide, its strategies, tactics and useable resources, download it here.

  1. Train the Trainer Programming
  2. Professional Development Series for Employers and MTAs
  3. Increase Career Awareness
  4. Support Initiatives in K-12 Schools
  5. Align with Industries Seeking Workers with Similar Competencies
  6. Generate a Library of Effective Program Models and Standardize for Replication
  7. Aggregate Industry Data
  8. Communicate and Distribute Information
  9. Advocate for Funding
  10. Cultivate Regional Employer Collaboratives

+1 Hire a National Workforce Development Coordinator

The “10+1 Strategy: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce” is endorsed by the American Boat & Yacht Council; Association of Marina Industries; Boating Industries Association of Upstate New York; Boating Trades Association of Metropolitan Houston; Boating Trades Association of Texas; Connecticut Marine Trades Association; Empire State Marine Trades Association; Lake Erie Marine Trades Association; Maine Marine Trades Association; Marine Trades Association of Maryland; Massachusetts Marine Trades Association; Marine Industry Association of Central Florida; Marine Industries Association of South Florida; Michigan Boating Industries Association; Marine Trades Association of New Jersey; Marine Retailers Association of the Americas; National Marine Distributors Association; National Marine Manufacturers Association; Northwest Marine Trades Association; Rhode Island Marine Trades Association; U.S. Superyacht Association; Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association; Tampa Bay Marine Industries Association; Virginia Marine Trades Association; and Wisconsin Marine Association.

“Confronting the future of workforce development in the marine industry is no simple task,” the publication’s authors conclude in its executive summary. “Through the steps provided, this collaborative plan intends to turn the challenge of engaging and retaining productive employees into a collective pathway that can lead us to strengthen our industry identity and cultivate a successful business environment for all. We look forward to joining you on this journey of opportunity.”

32 Ways You Can Beat the Workforce Crisis

The workforce challenges we face can be debilitating. One day, we hire a rockstar to fill that critically important position, and all is right in the universe. The next day, we’re blindsided by the loss of a key employee, and we find ourselves reaching for the Tums. When will it end?

The honest truth is that it will never end. Just as our businesses evolve in the products and services we offer and in how we deliver them, the way we staff our businesses is in constant flux as well.

At the moment, however, the technician shortage may be the exception to that rule. It’s challenging to think we’re in constant change with our techs when it seems we just can’t find the right people — let alone the wrong people — to fill open positions. There’s not a dealer anywhere who wouldn’t hire a technician on a moment’s notice if the opportunity presented itself.

One of the greatest takeaways that sunk in with me while finalizing the just-published “10+1 Strategy: A Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce,” was the revelation that in the not-so-distant future (like, maybe right after you read this), workforce planning will take precedence over financial planning.

Think about that. We all spend time budgeting, comparing actuals to budget, contemplating how our margins are being squeezed and working hard to meet our projections. But how often do we consider our strategy when it comes to staffing our operations? Our largest financial investment is in our people, but yet, our financial planning rarely includes strategic staffing considerations. We react to personnel changes rather than planning for and taking control of our future.

With the introduction of the, “Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce,” we at the MRAA, along with our co-authors at the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, are giving you more control than you’ve ever had when it comes to the workforce challenges. We’re not just offering you a high-level, industry-endorsed, 11-prong strategy; we’re offering you 32 specific tactics you can engage with today to begin your rebellion against the workforce challenges.

This Guide has been designed as a tool for us to all collaborate on addressing the issues from a national level — that’s us at MRAA and our national trade association colleagues; from a regional level — that’s our industry’s regional/state trade associations; and from the employer level — that’s YOU. Download this guide today; use the 32 tactics and the 20-plus live resources it features; and turn workforce planning into your competitive advantage.

MRAA Welcomes Liz Keener as Education Specialist

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today the hiring of Liz Keener as the association’s new Education Specialist.

Keener has been involved in the boating industry for more than seven years, attending her first Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in 2010. While most recently serving as the communications and digital services specialist at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. she previously served as the senior editor of Boating Industry and its sister brand Powersports Business. Through her experience in the marine and powersports industries, she has built numerous relationships with dealers, manufacturers, suppliers and service providers.

“Liz has hit the ground running here and has already proven a valuable asset to the MRAA team,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Her background in the marine industry has prepared her for this new position. She understands the pain points that boat retailers face and has the passion necessary to craft educational programming that will help lead our members to greater success.”

Building education for the MRAA member base and the industry, will be a large component of Keener’s position with the association. Keener will work hand-in-hand with MRAA Vice President and Director of Education Liz Walz in developing in-person education for both MRAA’s annual conference and online courses for the Marine Industry Certified Dealer Continuous Certification Program. Keener will also be instrumental in the implementation of future educational opportunities MRAA is exploring.
 
“I’m grateful that the MRAA is giving me this opportunity to return to the marine industry,” says Keener. “Already, I’ve been able to dive in and assist in selecting the education content for the 2018 MDCE, and I’m helping prepare the third quarter MICD Continuous Certification course. I look forward to putting my experience to work to help the marine industry grow.”

When Keener isn’t working to help the boating industry grow, she spends her time with her husband and two dogs at home, or you can find her navigating Minneapolis on her motorcycle, attending classic car shows or cheering on the Minnesota Vikings.

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.

MRAA Partnership Gains New Partner Members In April

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is please to announce two new Partner Members into membership. Bank of the Ozarks and MOTOTV have joined the association’s growing roster of marine industry supporters.

Bank of the Ozarks
Bank of the Ozarks is a regional bank with expertise in marine lending, servicing marine dealers throughout the United States.  The Indirect Lending team at Bank of the Ozarks has some of the most experienced and respected professionals in the industry, providing indirect consumer financing for dealers and brokers who sell and finance yachts and boats, aircraft and recreational vehicles.

“We value the members of the MRAA as well as the leadership and staff of the association,” says Scott Ramsden, Executive Vice President – National Sales Manager at Bank of the Ozarks.  “We are passionate in our support of a thriving marine industry, helping retailers nationwide grow their business and allowing more families to enjoy activities on our nation’s waterways.”

Much like the MRAA, Bank of the Ozarks values the relationships they create with their customers.  They attribute their on-going success to a relentless pursuit of excellence and by providing exceptional service to their customers. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by the banking world; they have been named the Nation’s Top Performing Bank in their asset size category for eight consecutive years by leading industry publications.

“Without the support of partners, like Bank of the Ozarks, we would not be able to provide our members with the tools and resources necessary for the betterment of their businesses”, says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President, “We are excited to announce this partnership with Bank of the Ozarks and applaud their commitment to the success of the industry.”

MOTOTV
MOTOTV Networks, an in-store, digital signage network for powersport and action sport retailers, provides its customers with customized and branded content to display on their showroom televisions.

“The MRAA has been an awesome resource to keep us at the forefront of the Marine Industry,” says Chris Mosera, Co-Founder of MOTOTV, “We love how they constantly share new ideas with retailers to keep their businesses healthy and growing!”

MOTOTV offers unique video, advertisement, and announcement footage specifically designed for each dealership. MOTOTV continues to update and provide new content with the purpose of informing, educating, and entertaining customers, in order for dealerships to reach their specific sales and marketing goals.

“We all know that part of the sales process is to attract potential boat buyers to the boating lifestyle, MOTOTV provides great content that not only helps sell the product, but provides a glimpse into boat ownership,” says Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association. “We are pleased to welcome MOTOTV to the MRAA family and support their continued effort to creating lifelong boaters.”
 
Bank of the Ozarks and MOTOTV have joined the roster of boat manufacturers, vendors and suppliers who support the efforts of the MRAA through partnership, continues to grow. Find a full menu of partner benefits here.

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 Bank of the Ozarks
Bank of the Ozarks is a regional bank providing innovative financial solutions delivered by expert bankers with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Bank of the Ozarks has been recognized as the #1 bank in the nation in its asset size for eight consecutive years. Learn more at www.bankozarks.com.

About MOTOTV
MOTOTV is a in-store, digital signage network that delivers relevant, customizable brand content for powersport and action sport retailers.  MOTOTV targets the customer with material that displays products in action and the necessary information to help viewers through the buying process. Learn more at www.mototvnetwork.com.