NASBLA past president receives awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Randy Edwards, immediate past president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), received two awards from the organization at its annual conference held Sept. 17-21, 2005, in Portland, Ore., the group reported in a recent statement.

For all the hard work and dedication Edwards, the boating law administrator for the state of Iowa, has shown during his one-year term as the nonprofit organization’s president, NASBLA officials presented the outgoing president with both the Bonner Award and the Past President’s Award.

The Bonner Award has been presented since 1971 and is awarded to a state or federal boating official who exemplifies the leadership qualities displayed by former Congressman Herbert C. Bonner, author of the Bonner Act (better known as the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1958). This award has been presented to numerous senators and representatives, state boating law administrators and Coast Guard personnel over the years.

The Past President’s Award is presented to the outgoing president of NASBLA, in recognition of his or her service to the organization during the term of office.

While continuing to serve as the boating law administrator for Iowa and promoting boating safety within his state’s borders, Edwards spent countless hours at NASBLA’s helm, guiding the organization in its effort to make boating safe and enjoyable for all, the association reported.

Edwards demonstrated outstanding leadership during his term, which proved to be a challenging, pivotal and, in some cases, difficult year for NASBLA, according to the association. Besides the president’s usual duties of presiding over the work of the Executive Board and NASBLA’s policy committees, Edwards’ term saw other significant events including the retirement of Executive Director George Stewart and the final lap in Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund reauthorization effort.

While these events were unfolding, Edwards also stepped forward to initiate and lead a critical self-evaluation. He followed this with a series of in-depth strategic planning sessions that, while sometimes difficult, encouraged new ways of thinking about how the organization can improve, NASBLA stated. Edwards took the opportunity to identify, evaluate and consider adopting, proactive behaviors and best practices in self-regulation and effective association governance that could help ensure the continued credibility of NASBLA and build an even more efficient and professional organization.

Edwards succeeded in actively and genuinely engage the members of executive board, the staff and the membership this past year, in part because of his willingness to listen to and consider the ideas of others, and by continually demonstrating his sincerity and his dedication to making NASBLA a more effective organization, the association stated.

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