Michelman replaces retiring BoatU.S. president
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Boat Owners Association of the United States President Jim Ellis has elected to retire at the end of the year and Nancy Michelman, BoatU.S. senior vice president of membership, will succeed him, the organization said in a statement yesterday.
Ellis served the recreational boat owners’ advocacy group for nearly a quarter century. He will remain a board member for the association, as well as a board member of the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, a sister organization that focuses on safe boating and environmental issues.
Michelman joined BoatU.S. as manager of membership in 1989 after working for the American Automobile Association in new product development and holding other marketing and management roles in the public relations and international education fields. Over her tenure she is credited with growing BoatU.S. membership from 300,000 members to over 670,000 today, giving the organization a bigger voice on Capitol Hill as well as providing boaters with more valuable benefits. She has developed innovative marketing and incentive programs and focused on staff development. Michelman was appointed to the organization’s board of directors in 2003.
”Nancy’s leadership and creative thinking have been pivotal in growing our membership and ensuring our members continually have new and exciting programs,” said Bill Oakerson, BoatU.S. CEO. “She has fostered our relationship with our marketing partner, West Marine, as well as with other affiliates that have enhanced our growth. Her accomplishments have helped ensure our continuing success nationwide and especially with the expansion of our presence in inland waterways and with freshwater boaters.”
Michelman is only the association’s fourth president in four decades.
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