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An exclusive interview with Malibu CEO Jack Springer about taking the company public, launching a new boat brand and the company’s next phase By Tom Kaiser Malibu Boats, the builder of the Malibu and Axis Wake inboard sport boats, recently went public and began trading on the NASDAQ at a price of $14 a share, giving the 30-plus-year-old Tennessee-based boat ...

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) recently presented the association’s CEO John M. Johnson with the William B. Garner National Boating Safety Leadership award in recognition of his efforts helping the non-profit to grow. The award was presented at the annual meeting for NASBLA Sept. 10-14 in Milwaukee. The Garner award was created to ...

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Capt. Mike Fields of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife was elected as president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) at the association’s annual meeting Sept. 10-14 in Milwaukee, Wis. Fields held every officer position within the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association (SSBLAA), including president during ’08-’09, along with several vice ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) presented its 2011 Boating Safety Leadership Award to Sharon M. Carrick and Boyd Walden for their work with the development of the Uniform Certificate of Title Act for Vessels (UCOTA). The award is presented each year to one or two public officials who worked, together with NASBLA, to achieve positive steps ...

MONACO – Camper & Nicholsons Marinas announced the addition of Robert Inwards to its berth (slip) sales team. Inwards specialized in the sale of berths as director of Inwards Marine for 10 years, and he will be helping C&N Marinas to establish its base of operations in Monaco. Inwards will be focused on berth sales at Grand Harbour Marina in ...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The electrical parts and service company Ward’s Marine recently announced the relocation of Steven Hebert, service manager of the company’s Riviera Beach location, to its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. Gregg Scrudders was appointed as the new service manager for Ward’s Marine Electric at the Riviera Beach, Fla., location following Hebert’s relocation. “These strategic additions to upper ...

MERCED, Calif. – Boatbuilder Malibu added and promoted in four key positions within the company to help shape the business going forward. Ritchie Anderson was hired as Malibu’s new vice president of operations. He joins the company with more than 28 years in the watersports boatbuilding industry. Kevin Michael, editor of TransWorld WAKEBOARDING for 12 years, was hired as the ...

CALIFORNIA, Md. – Seakeeper recently named Brook Streit as the new regional sales manager for North America, in charge of generating business for Seakeeper’s recreational market. Streit served as the sales manager for Derecktor Shipyards and is a graduate of The Landing School’s boatbuilding program. While at Derecktor in Bridgeport, Conn., Streit generated leads for power and sailing yachts. “Brook’s ...

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. – Former MRAA Chairmen William “Pete” Loftin Jr., who served as chairman from 1980-1981, passed away Sept. 4, 2011. He was 88. In addition to serving as Chairman for the MRAA, Loftin also served as president for the Jacksonville Marine Association and was a founding member of the Marine Industries Association of Florida. “Pete was there in ...

SOLNA, Sweden – Dometic Marine, supplier of marine air conditioning and sanitation equipment, announced the appointment of Wes Oebel of Seattle as the company’s Account Manager for Aftermarket Sales in the Western region. Oebel has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing and product sales, with a proven track record of increasing sales in previous roles. Oebel will work alongside ...