Blackburn receives 2008 Freedman Award
MIAMI — The National Marine Manufacturers Association honored Dave Blackburn, President and CEO of Faria Marine Instruments, with the 2008 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award.
Blackburn, who has spent nearly 30 years with Faria in the marine industry, was a key spokesperson for NMMA, the marine industry and U.S. manufacturing in aggressively promoting the passage of H.R. 32, the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act, and was invited to the White House to witness the President signing the bill into law. For years, he has tirelessly represented recreational boating and NMMA in Washington, D.C., as a strong advocate of Intellectual Property protection.
Blackburn has also testified numerous times before various governmental agencies, committees and commissions, including the U.S. House Small Business Committee and the U.S. China Commission, championing increased protection for intellectual property and anti-counterfeiting protection in the marine manufacturing sector. He was also invited to speak on the subject in Guangzhou, China, before a gathering of international marine industry executives and Chinese government officials.
“Dave’s efforts to help secure permanent and lasting intellectual property protection for marine manufacturers have left an indelible mark on the recreational marine industry,” says Jason Pajonk, president of Taylor Made Products and Chairman of NMMA’s AMD Board of Directors. “We all owe him a debt of gratitude for looking out for us in Washington, and it’s for this reason among many others that he’s so deserving of the 2008 Freedman Award.”
Blackburn joined Faria in 1980 as manager of its Industrial Engineering Department. The following year, he was promoted to General Manager and several years later was named Executive Vice President and COO. For the last 16 years, he has headed up the Uncasville, Conn.-based company as President and CEO.
He continues supporting political efforts to pass additional pieces of anti-counterfeiting legislation, such as bill S. 3325, “A bill to enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws,” which passed both the Senate and House and was sent to the President for signature October 2.
Blackburn received the award at the IBEX Industry Breakfast on Wednesday, October 8, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. NMMA’s Accessory Manufacturers Division introduced the Freedman Award in 1984 to recognize individuals who, throughout the course of their careers, have made outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity and personal motivation.
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