ABYC elects new directors to board

EDGEWATER, Md. – The American Boat & Yacht Council confirmed the election of new board directors at its annual meeting held in Miami, the organization said in a press release yesterday.

Dennis Graham, ABYC board chairman, officially welcomed and introduced returning board director Chris Washburn, owner of Washburn’s Boat Yard, and the new incoming board directors, Richard Kolb, Brett McGill, Lorenzo Pollicardo and Jack Westerbeke.

Past board directors Mike Burlingham, vice president of service for MarineMax; Greg Eck, manager of marine products for Yanmar; Jack Flaig, consultant, Bombardier Recreational Products; and Al Weinstein are retiring from their three-year terms.

Richard Kolb is the emissions regulations and parts and accessory engineering manager for Volvo Penta of the Americas. Kolb has more than 30 years of experience in the marine industry working on engines, engine controls, fuel systems, exhaust emissions and propulsion control systems. Kolb has served on numerous ABYC technical committees and sub-committees, and is currently a member of the steering and controls PTC, as well as a division director on the ABYC technical board.

Brett McGill is the vice president of service & parts and information technology at MarineMax, Inc. His personal, managerial and strategic contributions have assisted MarineMax in becoming the largest recreational boat retailer/service provider in the world. McGill has also developed the firm’s corporate training initiative, MarineMax University Online, as well as the company’s Internet marketing and eBusiness departments.

Lorenzo Pollicardo is the general secretary of UCINA in Genoa, Italy. Pollicardo has a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Genoa-Italy. He is the current chairman of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations’ Technical Committee. UCINA, the Italian marine industry association, represents 300 Italian firms in the marine industry.

Jack Westerbeke is the president and CEO of the Westerbeke Corp. He worked with his father, Jack Westerbeke, Sr., at Westerbeke Corp., as an engine distributor and dealer. He began designing, manufacturing and marketing Westerbeke marine engine products and became president of Westerbeke in 1976. Westerbeke has continued to be heavily involved in product design in addition to his general management functions.

Also at this meeting, ABYC’s 2006 board officers were announced.

Returning 2006 Board of Directors:

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