Shape the future of retail boating by applying or nominating young leaders to join council in 2016
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is currently accepting applications and nominations for its Young Leaders Advisory Council.
Created as an advisory group to represent the needs and thinking of the next generation of marine retailers and to provide additional insight and direction to the MRAA Board of Directors, the council’s creation was based on a desire to help develop future leaders to aid in the progress and growth of the boating industry. Since its inception, YLAC has successfully infused the MRAA with several new ideas and insights.
In order to continue YLAC’s successful momentum, the association is looking to add new members to this vibrant group. Applications can be submitted by anyone interested in joining, and individual nominations of potential YLAC candidates can be submitted directly to the MRAA — who will then contact each nominee.
“YLAC has proven to be a major influence on the MRAA,” MRAA President Matt Gruhn said. “The energy and enthusiasm the group brings to pushing the association forward has been extremely valuable, and many new programs and initiatives have been launched because of their passion.”
Four one-time YLAC members — Jeff Haradine, Wakeside Marine (Ind.), Martin Boyer, Austin Boats & Motors (Texas), Carly Poole, Buckeye Marine (Ontario), and Jake Jostand, Oak Hill Marina (Iowa) — currently serve on the MRAA Board of Directors; a fifth YLAC member, Liz Walz, has since joined the MRAA staff as vice president and director of education; and two other former YLAC chairmen have also sat on the board.
For the immediate future, the YLAC group expects to continue its focus on helping provide solutions to the dealer body’s workforce development challenges.
Applicants or nominees should be willing to meet face-to-face with the group twice a year and provide their ideas and insights, in addition to working jointly with other council and MRAA Board of Directors members on subcommittees. Candidates must be under 40 years of age, hold a position of significance in a dealership and have a minimum of five years of marine industry experience.
Click here to apply to YLAC, or click here to nominate a young professional for YLAC. Applications and nominations must be submitted by Sept. 30. For more information, contact Matt Gruhn at 763-315-8043; matt@mraa.com or YLAC chairman Jake Jostand at 712-332-2701; jakejostand@oakhillmarina.com.
