ABYC distributes its annual awards
EDGEWATER, Md. – The American Boat & Yacht Council handed out its annual awards during its 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Reception held recently in Miami, the ABYC said today.
The awards were presented to recognize the significant work of individuals and companies in furthering ABYC’s core boating safety mission, the council said.
The ABYC Service Award went to J.J. Marie, president of Zodiac of North America. The award is presented each year to an ABYC member who has served the council over a long period of time, through active participation on committees, boards or other volunteer venues, in a manner that materially benefits the goals of ABYC.
Marie was chosen for his long-term, dedicated and focused work within both ABYC and other industry-related safety organizations; for his ardent support of workforce standards-based, technical education and training; and for his ardent support and unwavering dedication toward promoting and heralding the importance of ABYC, the council said.
The ABYC Horizon Award was presented to Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. It is given to an ABYC member who has made significant contributions to the future success and growth of ABYC.
“This year’s recipient embodies the upbeat and positive spirit and voice so crucially needed to improve watercraft safety and product quality, as well as advocate the inherent virtues of recreational boating to the boating public,” the ABYC said. “Mr. Dammrich has negotiated with ABYC to include a majority of our standards in the NMMA Boat & Yacht Certification program, worked diligently with ABYC to explore the feasibility and the execute the transfer of the Westlawn Institute of Yacht Design from NMMA to ABYC.”
The C.T. Moyer Leadership Award was given to Bonnie Barsa, ABYC education director. It is won by an individual that has provided outstanding leadership to the ABYC.
“Under her able guidance and direction, [Barsa] has taken a fledgling technical education program from its inception to becoming the global benchmark of marine technician certification and training programs,” ABYC said. “Over her ABYC career, she has helped shape the organization’s long-term strategic success, has mentored and trained numerous staff members and created many new innovative programs that have had a direct professional impact on literally thousands of men and women working within the marine industry.”
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