Press Releases
ABYC Elects New Directors to Board
March 1, 2005, Edgewater, MD: The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) recently confirmed the election of new Board Directors at its annual meeting held in Miami, FL. Representing key segments of the recreational marine industry, ABYC's Board of Directors provides strategic direction and guidance in furthering ABYC's core mission of developing standards, safety guidelines and supporting workforce education and training programs for small craft, marine professionals and the boating public.
With past Board Directors Bret Bretnall — President, Raritan Engineering Co., Inc., Greg Davis - President, Davis & Co., Limited, Gordan Grant — Attorney at Montgomery, Barnett, Brown, Read, Hammond & Mintz, L.L.P., John Underwood — CEO of Lockwood Marine, Inc. and Bill Yeargin - Executive Vice President of Rybovich Spencer retiring from their three-year terms, Jim Ellis, retiring Chair of the ABYC Board officially welcomed and introduced the incoming Board Directors, Dan Gribble, F. Steven Herb, Jack Hornor, Eleanor Mariani, Tim O'Connor and John Sima to those attending the annual meeting.
Dan Gribble — President/CEO of the Boatswain's Locker
The Boatwains' Locker has been serving the propulsion needs of the southwest, the Pacific and western Mexico for over 60 years. The company has a long and proud history, and under Dan's leadership, it continues its tradition of superior service and innovation. Dan graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Naval Architecture. He later earned an MBA from UC Irvine. He has a solid reputation throughout the State of California for being a solid businessman, a professional and a contributor to his community. Dan also operates both a resale and marine refit business and is a Southern California distributor for Yanmar and Mercruiser.
F. Steven Herb — Partner, Nelson Hesse Law Firm, Sarasota, FL
Steven is a business attorney whose practice is primarily focused in the area of Recreational Boat Law. He has been an active member of the Recreational Boat Law Committee of the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Government Relations Committee of NMMA. He is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a County and Circuit Court Mediator, and has met the Florida requirements to serve as a court appointed Arbitrator. He has represented major marine manufacturers, including: Pro Line Boats, Grady White, Navigator Yachts, Volvo Penta, Donzi Marine and Cruisers Yachts to name a few. Steven was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Florida Bar, the NMMA Recognition Award and has been a Business member of ABYC since 1986.
Jack Hornor — President/CEO, Marine Survey and Design Company
Jack is a long-time surveyor, naval architect and supporter of ABYC. He is uniquely qualified to represent the interests of marine surveyors as he is a member in good standing of both NAMS and SAMS. In fact, Jack has served leadership positions in both surveyor associations. He has a solid understanding of recreational boating safety issues and ABYC standards. Jack has been a Sustaining member of ABYC since 1988. He has taken the ABYC Marine Corrosion, Accreditation, DC/AC Electrical Systems in Boats, Accidents: From the Scene to Trial and Stability & Floatation courses. He has also participated in the USCG sponsored carbon monoxide and propeller seminar series, produced by ABYC.
Eleanor Mariani — State Boating Law Administrator for the State of Connecticut
Eleanor works directly for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Boating Division. Eleanor has a strong background in environmental and safe boating issues. She comes to ABYC highly recommended by NASBLA Headquarters. Eleanor is member of NASBLA's Waterways Management Committee and Chaired this Committee during its first three years of existence beginning in 2000. She also regularly attends State and Federal government meetings and conferences on boating safety issues. She recently completed one term on the U.S. Coast Guard's National Boating Safety Advisory Council.
Tim O'Connor — Partner & VP of LEM Products, Inc.
LEM Products, Inc., is the leading producer of labels for the marine industry, and has been manufacturing durable, high quality industrial and electrical identification products for over 35 years in Doylestown, PA. All LEM manufactured products are "Made in the USA." Among other products, they produce: labels, tags, signs, decals, faceplates, overlays and wire, cable, and pipe marking needs. Tim has been involved in the marine industry for many years and is well acquainted with ABYC and the standards. He is also the label manufacturer for NMMA. He has a sincere interest in improving boating safety through consumer awareness and warning, thus mitigating risk to the manufacturer and dealer, and has been an ABYC Manufacturer member since 1992.
John Sima — Owner/Operator of Sima Marine
With over 50 years of experience, Ohio-based Sima Marine is a family owned business, servicing the needs of North Coast boaters. Jim Sima, a name synonymous with the boating industry for many years, originally started the business. Through the years, Jim was instrumental in starting boating organizations such as the Lake Erie Marine Trades Association and the Marine Retailers Association of America. Following in his father's footsteps, John took over Sima Marine and skippered it directly into a full service marina in Eastlake Ohio. The Eastlake Marina offers dockage for 160 boats, mechanical and structural service, a complete ship store, a pre-owned and brokerage boat center and new powerboat sales. Sima Marine also has a sales office offering pre-owned, brokered and new powerboats in Port Clinton, OH. John is the immediate past Chairman of MRAA.
Also at this meeting, the 2005 Slate of Board Officers was announced.
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Dennis Graham, Teleflex Morse, Inc. |
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Bill Drake, Marinco |
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Dave Marlow, Brunswick Boat Group |
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Gerry Douglas, Catalina Yachts |
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Jim Ellis, BoatUS |
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Philip Conner, Hinckley Yacht Services |
Returning 2005 Board of Directors:
- Mike Burlingham, MarineMax
- Thom Dammrich, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
- Bolling Douglas, Marine Associates, Inc.
- Greg Eck, Yanmar Diesel America Corporation
- Jack Flaig, Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
- John McClendon, Sea Ark Marine
- Jeff Melby, Genmar Holdings, Inc.
- Bill Parlatore, Passagemaker Magazine
- Chris Washburn, Washburn's Boatyard, Inc.
- Al Weinstein, Weinstein Associates
ABYC has been developing, writing and updating the safety standards for boat building and repair in the United States for over 50 years. ABYC is actively involved with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as well as certification programs for marine technicians. These standards are available on CD-ROM and in printed form. Membership and general information can be requested by calling (410) 956-1050 or by visiting the ABYC web site at www.abyinc.org.
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