MRAA president to retire

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. — Phil Keeter, president of the Marine Retailers of
America, has set the date for his retirement as Dec. 31, 2011.

Keeter has served as president of the association since February of 1988. He
was one of the 12 founding dealer members of the association in 1972. He
served on the board from 1972 until 1982. A successor has not yet been
selected.

“MRAA has made a real difference on the landscape of the recreational
boating industry and today plays the single biggest role in making our
industry successful in the future. MRAA has forged relationships with all
segments of the industry that I have had the good fortune of being a part
of. I know these will be continued by my successor,” Keeter said in a
release announcing his retirement. “In this coming year I will work to
secure even stronger bonds for MRAA’s future. My successor must possess far
greater skills than I have in this world of emerging technology because that
very technology will help to propel MRAA to even greater success.”

Keeter has represented MRAA with most of the other organizations in the
marine industry and has served on various boards and advisory groups
throughout his career. His career in the recreational boating industry began
with the establishment of Romer Marine in Tulsa, Okla., in 1958 during his
senior year in college. In 1986 he sold that dealership after 28 years and
went on to become the regional sales manager for Glastron Boat Company. He
held that position for two years before becoming the president of MRAA.

“It has been my privilege and honor to have represented the marine dealers
throughout North America for the past 20 plus years,” Keeter said. “Having
been a dealer for 30 years before becoming MRAA’s president gave me a real
understanding of what a dealer faces every day. They are brave and fearless
small businessmen with their entire fortunes on the line, so my task of
representing them has been daunting, but the friendships and relations I
have formed with them are priceless treasures.”

Keeter received a presidential appointment from George Bush to serve on the
Boating Safety Advisory Council (BSAC) and did so for six years. He is the
recipient of the Mel Barr award given by the National Marine Representatives
Association. He is also the recipient of the Phil Keeter Environmental
Education Award given by the Marine Environmental Education Foundation. He
served on the Board of MEEF for several years and received recognition for
that work from the National Clean Boating Campaign. Keeter presently serves
as vice president of the Grow Boating program and also serves on the board
of Marine Five Star Dealer Certification.

Keeter remains active with Tulsa University, Will Rogers Rotary Club and
Boston Avenue Methodist Church. He is also active with the Tulsa Boat Sport
& Travel Show and the two Green Country RV Shows. Keeter and his wife,
Marilyn, have been married 52 years and have three children and five
grandchildren.

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