BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that Ryan Hebert of Texas Marine, Beaumont, Texas, has been named Chairman of the association’s Young Leaders Advisory Council.
Hebert, 29, has amassed a number of leadership credentials during his time in the marine industry. He began working at his family dealership at the age of 13 and has been involved in the day-to-day operations of the three-store dealership since graduating from Texas State University in 2005. Hebert has been involved in dealer councils, a Spader 20 Group and a number of other industry efforts. He currently sits on the board of directors for the Boating Trades Association of Texas, and his seat as YLAC chair also earns him a spot on the MRAA Board of Directors.
Ryan helped Texas Marine achieve Five Star Marine Industry Certified Dealership status each of the last five years, and the company has also been named to Boating Industry’s list of the industry’s Top 100 Dealers for each of the program’s seven years.
Hebert succeeds Carly Poole of Buckeye Marine (Bobcaygeon, Ontario) who chaired YLAC for its first two years of existence and who will remain on the council. YLAC was formed by the MRAA board of directors in 2009 to bring a younger generation of dealership management into the association. Made up of a group of 15 industry professionals who have had at least seven years of industry experience and are under the age of 40, YLAC provides information and recommendations to the MRAA board on matters pertaining to the development and enhancement of the association.
Other YLAC members include: Martin Boyer, Austin Boats & Motors; Thalia Chase, Castaway Marina; Jeff Haradine, WakeSide Marine; Kyle Kelly, Kelly’s Port; Chris Kewley, Nobles’ Marine; Craig LeBlanc, Allen Harbor Marine Service; Matthew Lodder, Lodder’s Marine; Brad Parker, Parker Boats of Daytona; Carly Poole, Buckeye Marine; Alex Russo, Russo Marine; Eric Smith, Colorado Boat Center; Josh Vallely, Vallely Sport & Marine; Liz Walz, Boating Industry; and Lauren Woodard-Splatt, Woodard Marine.
About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.
