Wisconsin Marine Association announces new president
The Wisconsin Marine Association announced that Michelle Shrider of Bayfield, Wis, will be officially taking the helm as president of the organization on March 14, 2017. Jon Kukuk from Marinette Wis, the outgoing president, has led the WMA since its inception in 2008.
Shrider and Kukuk were both founding members of the organization and have served on the board since 2009.
A certified marina manager, Shrider has 18 years of management experience at Port Superior and Washburn marinas on the south shore of Lake Superior, along with 11 years managing a charter boat fleet. She has served on regional and national marine industry boards, including the Association of Marina Industries, Association of Marine Industries, and American Boatbuilders and Repairers Association. She has also supported the industry as a member of the Midwest Marine Association, the National Marine Electronics Council and the Association of Marine Technicians.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the board and support staff of WMA, especially Jon Kukuk,” said Shrider. “I intend to maintain the direction and growth of WMA that Jon has created and fostered.”
The WMA focuses on the needs of marinas and other marine industries in Wisconsin.
“I am committed to engaging the broad scope that this encompasses as well as encouraging the support and participation of our legislators at the state and federal level. Adding member benefits through affinity programs and providing industry information to our members will continue. Growth in the Wisconsin Clean Marina certification program, with its benefits to the industry, will continue to be a focus of the WMA,” said Shrider.
The WMA launched and has administrated the Wisconsin Clean Marina program, growing it to more than 22 marinas who have been certified, and in many cases, recertified. More than 18 workshops and conferences have provided industry information and networking opportunities, and the board has supported the industry’s interests in legislative and regulatory issues, and represented Wisconsin marine businesses in national associations.
“We are so grateful to Jon Kukuk for his leadership and accomplishments as president of WMA,” said Shrider. “He was responsible for a long run of ‘firsts’ for the organization and we’re glad that he will continue to be part of the team.”
Kukuk’s Nestegg Marina in Marinette, Wis. was the first certified Clean Marina in the state. Kukuk’s contributions to the WMA were celebrated at the November conference, Sharing Solutions and Building Success, held in Rothschild, Wis.
For more information about the Wisconsin Marine Association, visit www.wisconsinmarine.org.