Crownline Boats has signed on to support the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas by becoming a Premier Partner member.
Since 1991, Crownline Boats says it has been committed to being the best in class, not only in product, but also in customer satisfaction. The boat brand prides itself in its investments in quality control, marketing, production, and design to ensure it delivers the highest level of customer service.
“Crownline cares deeply about the industry in which we do business. We want to see the industry grow and prosper and help promote boating as one of the best possible ways to create memories with loved ones on the water,” says Amy Turner, Sales & Marketing Director of Crownline Boats.
Crownline Boats offers twenty-seven boat models to accommodate today’s boat buyers. The focus of the Crownline research and development team, the company says, is to continue to provide unique beauty, luxury, convenience, functionality, quality and performance throughout their line-up.
“We are thrilled to welcome Crownline Boats back to the MRAA family,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “It’s great to have the support of such a prestigious brand that shares MRAA’s commitment to strengthening the dealer community.”
With the addition of Crownline Boats, 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 Crownline Boats
Crownline Boats are without a doubt the most exciting and progressive boats on the market today. Our innovative design philosophies have always set us apart from the crowd, sporty, sophisticated, and classy. Our design team is always looking for ways to take our boats to the next level. Unique beauty, luxury, convenience, functionality, quality and performance are the focus of our Research and Development division at Crownline. This is where it all begins. Then we follow that up, with one of the industry’s best warranties and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
Munson Ski & Marine Named Best Boat Dealership to Work For in 2017
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that Munson Ski and Marine, Volo, Ill., was named the 2017 Best Boat Dealership to Work For, as the highest-rated boat dealership in employee satisfaction.
Recognized in front of hundreds of industry colleagues at the inaugural MRAA Awards Celebration, Munson Ski and Marine was noted for achieving perfect scores from its 17 employees on 11 of the survey’s 37 questions. The dealership’s overall employee satisfaction score of 96.7 percent was nearly a full-point higher than the next-closest dealership, and it was backed by 26 glowing comments from Munson Ski & Marine staff.
“We were extremely impressed with how strong of a culture Munson Ski and Marine has built in its dealership,” says Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA, which administers the surveys. “From the raving general comments to the specific mentions of the dealership’s management team, it was clear that Munson Ski and Marine is deserving of the recognition as the Best Boat Dealership to Work For.”
Dealership employees noted Munson Ski and Marine as a business where “everyone takes a great deal of pride in what they do.” Another employee noted, “The Munsons care about employees and customers and are always trying to improve.” And yet another suggested that the best thing about working at this dealership is that it “offers me the opportunity to be all I can be.”
“Munson Ski and Marine is honored to win this award,” says Mary Jo Munson of Munson Ski and Marine. “We strive to provide a cohesive team and family environment to attract the best staff in the industry. We are truly blessed with our awesome team.”
MRAA believes that employee satisfaction and engagement represent great opportunities for our dealerships to build a stronger workforce, to develop better leaders, and to pave the way for organizations and their employees to meet and exceed the demands of today’s boaters. MRAA member dealerships are the face of the boating industry to today’s consumers, and MRAA’s Great Dealerships to Work For program focuses on recognizing those organizations that stand out as industry leaders.
To be eligible for recognition through MRAA’s Great Dealerships to Work For Program, dealership employees complete employee satisfaction surveys through MRAA’s third-party system, scoring the dealership on 37 questions that impact employee satisfaction and engagement. MRAA narrows its focus to 15 of the most impactful indicators of satisfaction to come up with its ranking. In 2017, there were 51 dealership locations whose employees participated in the survey.
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 Munson Ski & Marine
For over 60 years Munson Ski & Marine has been creating family memories on the water. It has always been our mission to offer the best products the industry has to offer; along with the best possible price and superior customer service. Over the years; Munson Ski and Marine has earned an array of industry awards for excellence including Boat Dealer of the Year, Top 100 Dealer, and Platinum Award in Customer Service along with many more. However; more importantly, Munson Ski & Marine takes pride in introducing so many wonderful families and friends to boating and water sports.
FB Marine Group Named Great Boat Dealership to Work For in 2017
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that FB Marine Group, Pompano Beach, Fla., was named a Great Boat Dealership to Work For, as the third-highest-rated boat dealership in employee satisfaction, for 2017.
Recognized in front of hundreds of industry colleagues at the inaugural MRAA Awards Celebration, FB Marine Group was noted for achieving perfect scores from its employees on five of the survey’s 37 questions. The dealership’s overall employee satisfaction score of 95.33 percent was one of only three dealerships that eclipsed the 95-percent satisfaction mark. Their perfect scores represented questions from all four of the categories within the survey: Leadership, Dealership Reputation, Customer Relations and Employee Satisfaction.
“FB Marine Group’s well-rounded scores shows that the dealership is well-rounded in its approach to taking care of its employees,” says Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA, which administers the surveys. “There’s a lot to be said for a dealership like this whose employees know specifically how their work relates to the store’s success, that they feel valued, and that they feel like part of a team where everyone goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.”
Employees at FB Marine Group noted that the working environment, fueled by great teammates and ownership, are what make this a Great Dealership to Work For. Managing partner Kim Sweers noted in her acceptance of the award that, “at FB Marine Group, we don’t have employees; we have teammates.
“We are very passionate about our culture and have worked hard to create an environment where our team members enjoy coming to work,” said Sweers. “A great culture provides the framework for our team to deliver the best possible experience for our customers and all who walk through our doors.”
MRAA believes that employee satisfaction and engagement represent great opportunities for our dealerships to build a stronger workforce, to develop better leaders, and to pave the way for organizations and their employees to meet and exceed the demands of today’s boaters. MRAA member dealerships are the face of the boating industry to today’s consumers, and MRAA’s Great Dealerships to Work For program focuses on recognizing those organizations that stand out as industry leaders.
To be eligible for recognition through MRAA’s Great Dealerships to Work For Program, dealership employees complete employee satisfaction surveys through MRAA’s third-party system, scoring the dealership on 37 questions that impact employee satisfaction and engagement. MRAA narrows its focus to 15 of the most impactful indicators of satisfaction to come up with its ranking. In 2017, there were 51 dealership locations whose employees participated in the survey.
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 FB Marine Group
FB Marine Group is a family owned and operated business, founded in 1994 by Randy and Kim Sweers. The Sweers have followed their vision to build FB Marine Group into one of America’s leading luxury marine dealerships with locations in Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida offering a complete list of services including sales, brokerage, service, financing, parts, transport and dry-storage facilities. Today, FB Marine Group has more than 40 employees, including factory Mercury, Yamaha, Volvo, and Suzuki, Ilmor, and Formula trained service technicians and offers a vast array of marine parts and engines. The company also offers complete electronics repair and installation, fiberglass and paint repair and custom engine builds and rigging. FBMarineGroup.com
All Seasons Marine Works: A 2017 Great Boat Dealership to Work For
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced that All Seasons Marine Works, Rowayton, Conn., was named a Great Boat Dealership to Work For, as the second-highest-rated boat dealership in employee satisfaction, for 2017.
Recognized in front of hundreds of industry colleagues at the inaugural MRAA Awards Celebration, All Seasons Marine Works was noted for achieving perfect scores in all of the Employee Satisfaction Survey questions related to the dealership’s reputation. The dealership’s overall employee satisfaction score of 95.8 percent was one of only three dealerships that eclipsed the 95-percent satisfaction mark. The high marks were back by an impressive number of raving reviews from employees.
One of the 13 employees that responded to the anonymous survey wrote, “We have a great work environment.” “The crew is like family and we have a great rapport with our customers,” wrote another. And “Our freedom to work at our own pace and to perform the job right without being rushed,” is yet another reason why employees believe All Seasons Marine Works is a great place to work.
“It’s clear that the culture at All Seasons Marine Works is what truly sets it apart,” says Matt Gruhn, president of the MRAA, which administers the surveys. “And we can see how the positive work environment translates directly into the pride that All Seasons Marine Works’ employees have in taking care of the dealership’s customers.”
“Working at All Seasons Marine Works is more than just a job,” adds Cory Crochetiere, Service Manager. “Being part of such a tight group; everyone is treated like family. We all share the same level of pride and effort that we put into the company. That energy flows from the owners through the entire roster.”
“If it weren’t for our hardworking employees, All Seasons Marine Works wouldn’t be where we are today,” says Gary Arcamone, one of the owners at All Seasons Marine Works. “It’s the best feeling to know our employees enjoy working on our team. They make us who we are.”
MRAA believes that employee satisfaction and engagement represent great opportunities for our dealerships to build a stronger workforce, to develop better leaders, and to pave the way for organizations and their employees to meet and exceed the demands of today’s boaters. MRAA member dealerships are the face of the boating industry to today’s consumers, and MRAA’s Great Dealerships to Work For program focuses on recognizing those organizations that stand out as industry leaders.
To be eligible for recognition through MRAA’s Great Dealerships to Work For Program, dealership employees complete employee satisfaction surveys through MRAA’s third-party system, scoring the dealership on 37 questions that impact employee satisfaction and engagement. MRAA narrows its focus to 15 of the most impactful indicators of satisfaction to come up with its ranking. In 2017, there were 51 dealership locations whose employees participated in the survey.
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 All Seasons Marine Works
All Seasons Marine Works is an owner operated business that has been serving Fairfield County and Westchester County since 1996. We have two on-the-water locations in Norwalk and Westport, CT offering full sales and service. We are proud to offer Pursuit, Regulator, and Robalo Boats all powered by Yamaha Outboards. Our motto is “We Make It Easy” and we’ve been making it easy for over 20 years.
BoatChat Joins MRAA at the Premier Partner Level
The MRAA announced that BoatChat, a Live Chat Support and Software Program for Marine Dealers, signed on to support MRAA by becoming the newest Premier Partner member.
“BoatChat is comitted to helping marine dealers and OEMs connect with their online guests and exceeding their expecations of how shopping for a boat should be. BoatChat was created because boat dealers don’t have the manpower to staff a chat feature on their website. Chat requires immediate response making it impossible for a boat dealer to be ready for questions on sales, service, and parts in 10 seconds or less. BoatChat trains industry dedicated chat pros, paired with advanced technology, and a boatload of dealer customized scripted answers that engage your visitors and captures their contact info. Our dealers already using the service are amazed at the number of customers that won’t fill out a form on their website but will gladly share their name, number and email address with our operators. Chat adds to the number of leads you receive from your website and doesn’t simply pull from another lead source” says Michael Chaparro, BoatChat’s Vice President of Marketing. “ We our proud to support MRAA and look forward to this relationship as a Premier Partner.”
BoatChat’s program helps marine dealers capitalize on the user-traffic that is already engaging with their websites by providing chat functionalities that allows to users to gain instant responses to the questions they my have. Additionally, the program allows dealership’s to determine if the user is a potential boat buyer, or just someone interested in the product.
“At MRAA we strive to partner with organizations that offer products and services that will benefit our retail members.” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “We’re impressed with how BoatChat helps our dealers deliver a higher level of customer service by engaging their customers whether the dealership is officially open or not. We think they offer dealers the opportunity to provide a great service, almost like an extension of the dealership’s staff.”
BoatChat joins a roster of boat manufacturers, vendors and suppliers that continue to support the dealer community through partnership with the MRAA. 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 BoatChat
BoatChat helps dealers sell more vessels by converting more of the visitors your website gets into qualified leads. Our well-trained staff, using our cutting edge live chat software and proactive chat process, creates a positive experience for users of your boat dealership website.
Our mission is to empower dealers with best in class live chat technology, and provide the professional staff you need to turn browsers into buyers. We strive to make our support service the very best and are constantly looking for new ways to give our dealers the advantage over the competition. We are dedicated to helping our clients get the highest return on investment from their websites.
Marine Dealer Solutions becomes MRAA’s newest Partner Member
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas welcomes Marine Dealer Solutions, a Digital Marketing Agency for Marine Dealers, signed on to support MRAA as the newest Partner member.
Marine Dealer Solutions has developed a collection of services with the goal of helping marine dealers effectively communicate and engage with their customers, and most importantly, help identify when consumers are ready to buy.
“MDS is commited to helping marine retailers and OEM’s shape the industry to support the new generation of boater,” says Amir Danaei, Co-Founder of Marine Dealer Solutions. “We proudly support the MRAA and look forward to making this journey together as a Partner member.”
Marine Dealer Solutions’ staff is made up of marketing, business development, and management professionals who have great insight into the marine industry. In fact, one of the leaders of the organization is as veteran boat dealer having owned and operated over 35 marine dealerships. The company’s qualified staff uses insight from such team members to help marine dealers identify problem areas in their marketing strategy and offer solutions that will drive sales.
“MRAA welcomes Marine Dealer Solutions into our elite group of Partner members,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “The MRAA team is impressed with the wide-variety of services that Marine Dealers Solutions provides dealers, and is honored to work with a company that is so focused on dealer success.”
Marine Dealer Solutions joins a growing list of boat manufacturers, vendors and suppliers that have chosen to support the dealer community through partnership with the MRAA. 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 Marine Dealer Solutions
Marine Dealer Solutions (MDS) offers Lead Generation and Customer Support services for Boat Dealers, Manufacturers (OEM’s), and Vendors. We are helping shape the marine industry into the digital space with a set of Patent Pending web-based tools supported by a highly effective staff. All of our staff members are trained in the boating industry and are familiar with dealership and OEM operations. Over 500 marine dealers and OEM’s are utilizing our services in over 30 countries. Exceeding expectations has been the key to our success.
Kayla Horrocks Named 2017 Marine Industry College Scholarship Recipient
Kayla Horrocks, office assistant of Idaho Water Sports in Burley, Idaho, and full-time student at Boise State University, has been selected as the recipient of the second annual MRAA Marine Industry College Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation.
The scholarship was presented to Horrocks on Sunday evening, Dec. 10, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
Recommended by college personnel as a person of high integrity and professionalism, Horrocks is actively involved in community service events, including Project Rudolph and the annual Cinco De Mayo Festival.
In addition, Horrocks has a busy schedule as a full-time employee and full-time student who is putting herself through school. However, she makes sure to find time to enjoy her newly found passion for watersports.
The Marine Industry College Scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Priority One Financial Services, the Boater Rewards Association 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
Horrocks Named Scholarship Winner page 2
boating business, and show evidence of enrollment in an accredited college, university or post-secondary technical school program.
In her scholarship application, Horrocks shared how much she enjoys her work, where no two days are the same, and how proud she is to be the first person in her family to attend college. She wrote, “It is so empowering to grow and become someone I have always dreamt of. Winning this award would be such a blessing for me.”
“It’s nice to see someone new to boating immerse themselves so fully into the boating lifestyle,” said Jeff Siems, president of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We believe awarding Kayla this scholarship will further fuel her passion for the industry, and that passion will transfer to those around her.”
About the 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. Learn more at www.mraa.com/foundation.
About Priority One Financial Services
Priority One has been serving the marine and RV industry since 1987. Acquired in 2007 by Forest River, Inc. a Berkshire Hathaway company, Priority One serves as the F&I managed services provider for hundreds of dealers nationwide. For more information, visit www.P1FS.com.
About the Boater Rewards Association
The mission of the Boater Rewards Association, started in 2015, is to provide boaters with resources, and information to enhance their boating experience. Boater Rewards was started by a group of leading marine insurance professionals, a boating safety association, several avid boaters, and a young entrepreneur, all looking for ways to make boating easier, safer and more fun. Boater Rewards is dedicated to connecting boat and yacht owners to local and national resources that help them get the most out of their time on the water. Relationships with vendors, dealers and marinas allows the association to provide a one-stop shop for insurance and industry-leading perks, including educational resources and discounts on products. For more information, email info@boaterrewards.com
MRAA Educational Foundation Torch Passed
The MRAA Educational Foundation honored the retiring president of its Board of Directors, Ed Lofgren of 3A Marine Services, and introduced his replacement, Jeff Siems of Blue Springs Marine, on Sunday evening, Dec. 10, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla., it was announced yesterday.
Lofgren’s retirement from the position of MRAA Educational Foundation president follows a long record of service to the industry through the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. A former chairman of the MRAA Board of Directors, Lofgren’s recent service included a focus on solving today’s technician shortage, which he continues through his work for the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) and its Educational Trust. His passion, dedication, and mentorship to those around him will have long lasting effects on MRAA and the MRAA Educational Foundation.
During the event, Lofgren addressed the crowd via video, and the MMTA’s Randall Lyons accepted a small token of MRAA’s and the MRAA Educational Foundation’s appreciation on his behalf. The compass encased by a wooden box is inscribed “In Recognition of Your Long and Devoted Service to and Outstanding Leadership of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the MRAA Educational Foundation.”
Jeff Siems, President of Blue Springs Marine and a member of the Board of Directors for both the MRAA and the MRAA Education Foundation, recently stepped forward to fill the position of MRAA Education Foundation President. Under his leadership, the foundation is already embarking on new and exciting initiatives and endeavors to expand its services to the recreational boating industry.
“I look forward to continuing the momentum we’ve generated in recent years, and growing our service to the boating business,” Siems comments.
“I’m thankful for the MRAA Educational Foundation’s ability to attract such strong leadership,” says Liz Walz, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Thanks to Ed Lofgren and the many industry giants who have led the foundation since its creation, we have been able to make an incredible difference in the lives and businesses of hundreds of marine professionals. Under Jeff’s guidance, we have the opportunity to explore new ways to carry this legacy forward.”
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 companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.
MMTA Named Technical Scholarship Recipient
The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) has been selected as a recipient of a 2017 Marine Trade Association Technical Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation yesterday. The scholarship was presented to Randall Lyons, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, on Sunday evening, Dec. 10, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
The Technical Scholarship funds will be distributed through the Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust, whch believes in industry growth through collaboration, communication and education, and has a dual focus on getting more kids on the water and assisting with the current industry workforce crisis. The Educational Trust offers two scholarships of up to $1,500 for Massachusetts residents taking boating industry training courses in and around Massachusetts.
Initially underwritten by the OMC Foundation, the purpose of the MRAA Technical School Scholarship is to offer financial assistance for technical training of prospective dealership personnel. Applicants must have graduated students who have entered the recreational marine industry within the past 12 months, show evidence of plans to offer marine technician training in the upcoming year, submit qualifications that determine scholarship recipient, and proof of students looking to enter the recreational marine trades. MRAA Technical School Scholarship recipients must submit a photo/video detailing the scholarship winner(s). Recipient(s) will be awarded up to $3,000 to be distributed to a student or students preparing for a career in a recreational marine dealership.
“The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association and its Educational Trust clearly share our dedication to helping the industry navigate the current workforce crisis through training and education,” comments Jeff Siems, President of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We are proud to be able to support their efforts through this scholarship.”
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 companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.
MRAA Tech School Scholarship Recipient Named
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Shell Lake, Wis., has been selected as the recipient of the annual MRAA Technical School Scholarship, the MRAA Educational Foundation announced yesterday. The scholarship was presented to Todd Larson, an instrutctor at Wisconsin Indeanhead Technical College, on Sunday evening, Dec. 10, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
The school offers a three-semester Marine Repair Technician Program, which centers around the repair and servicing of recreational watercraft. A recent addition to their curriculum is the Light Outboard Servicing Certification, offering students the knowledge to enter the workforce capable of conducting basic repairs. Advanced certificates are also offered, allowing graduates to further hone their skills. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College currently has working relationships with both Yamaha and Evinrude. To be considered to receive the MRAA Tech School Scholarship funds, WITC Foundation applicants must successfully complete or have completed the first semester of the program, have done well academically in all classes, show leadership in the classroom, demonstrate good mechanical ability, and possess enthusiasm for the marine industry.
Initially underwritten by the OMC Foundation, the purpose of the MRAA Technical School Scholarship is to offer financial assistance for technical training of prospective dealership personnel. Applicants must have graduated students who have entered the recreational marine industry within the past 12 months, show evidence of plans to offer marine technician training in the upcoming year, submit qualifications that determine scholarship recipient, and proof of students looking to enter the recreational marine trades. Recipients are awarded up to $3,000 to be distributed to a student or students preparing for a career in a recreational marine dealership.
“What clearly set this year’s Tech School Scholarship recipient apart from other applicants was that as a result of receiving the scholarship in past years, this school was able to graduate a number of marine technicians who have gone on to work in MRAA member dealerships – including two in the last year alone,” comments Jeff Siems, President of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors.
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 companies that interact with the boater in their community must thrive. Those businesses determine the boater’s experience and are the leading factor in the industry’s success. MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those businesses, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com.
