In 2009, MRAA
created the Young Leader's Advisory Council.
At this time, MRAA realized that their board could benefit from some
added input and manpower from the next generation of marine retailers
to help move the organization forward into the future and build it into
an even stronger network of marine industry professionals. YLAC is made up of 15 marine industry professionals, all under the age
of 40, who have had at least 7 years experience in the marine industry.
This group is driven by a mission to provide information and
recommendations to the MRAA board on matters pertaining to the
development and enhancement for the association.
Ryan Hebert, Chairman Term: 2012–2013
Texas Marine, North Beaumont, Texas
Phone: 409-898-7632
Bio:
Ryan Hebert was raised in the boating industry.
His father, Mike Hebert, opened
Texas Marine in 1981 in Beaumont Texas.
Having grown into a 3-location dealership
in and around the Houston
Texas area, Ryan has been involved with ... Read more.
Josh Vallely, Vice Chairman Vallely Sport & Marine, Bismarck, N.D.
Phone: 701-258-9223
Bio:
Josh Vallely is the third generation to be
involved in his family's marine and
powersports business. Founded in
1974, Vallely Sport & Marine is located in Bismarck
and Minot, N.D. Upon graduation from The University of North Dakota in ... Read more.
Mike Alleva
Lighthouse Media Solutions, Boston, Mass.
Phone: 857-400-7888, ext. 128
Bio: As Vice President of Marketing & Client Strategy at Lighthouse Media Solutions,
Mike Alleva directs dealers and OEMs with their
marketing strategy and execution
by providing a true understanding of
what it takes for his clients to ... Read more.
Martin Boyer Austin Boats & Motors, Austin, Texas
Phone: 512-263-2811
Bio:
Martin Boyer began his career in the marine industry in 1990 while serving as
porter and grounds keeper for Austin Boats & Motors. In 1994 he was trained in
personal watercraft repair and became assistant ... Read more.
Gordon Brittle
Smoker Craft/Starcraft
Phone: 705-321-6477
Bio: Gordon Brittle came from a family of avid boaters before getting his
start in the
industry by selling at the Toronto Boat Show. He took on a
role at the dealership
and worked his way up before being named sales
manager. As such, he ... Read more.
Jeff Haradine WakeSide Marine, Elkhart, Ind.
Phone: 574-264-2874
Bio:
Jeff started WakeSide Marine in 2002 after
leaving a career in the residential
homebuilding industry. WakeSide
Marine is a retail boat dealership and water sports
pro shop. The
dealership consistently ranks at the top of their ... Read more.
Stephanie Haywood
Blue Springs Boat Company, Kington, Tenn
Phone: 865-376-1472
Bio: Stephanie grew up working in the marine industry and has
worked in it for more
than 20 years. In 2007
she and her husband bought Blue Springs Boat Company
from her
parents. They continue to operate a family-run business where ... Read more.
Jake Jostand
Oak Hill Marina, Arnold's Park, Iowa
Phone: 712-332-2701
Bio: Jake Jostand got his
start in the marine business at the age of 16, working the
gas dock and boat
rental business at Oak Hill Marina. He got his toes wet in the
sales side of
things by working a boat show during college and has ... Read more.
Chris Kewley
Nobles Marine, Leesburg, Fla.
Phone: 352-787-5792
Bio: Chris Kewley began his career in the recreation
industry in 1996 with Nobles'
Marine and he is currently its general
manager. Chris routinely visits each of Nobles'
three locations and
handles all of our manufacturer relations and ... Read more.
Greg Knop
Family Boating Centers, Tampa, Fla.
Phone: 813-884-1395
Bio: Greg Knop started his
career in the boating industry at the age of 5, when his
father and grandfather
founded the family’s dealership. With one of his most vivid
childhood memories
being that of selling boat catalogs at ... Read more.
Craig LeBlanc
Allen Harbor Marine Service, Harwichport, Mass.
Phone: 508-430-6006
Bio: Craig LeBlanc grew up on Cape Cod around boating
and fishing. He began his
career in the marine industry in Florida in
the early 1990's and has been employed at
Allen Harbor Marine Service in
Harwichport, Mass., since ... Read more.
Eric Smith
Colorado Boat Center, Loveland, Colo.
Phone: 970-663-6473
Bio: Eric Smith is the Operations Manager for Colorado
Boat Center. A graduate of
Lake Forest College with a
degree in Politics, Eric re-joined Colorado Boat Center in
2005 after
pursuing interests outside the marine industry ... Read more.
Chad M. Taylor
Taylor's South Shore Marina, Wilmington, Ohio
Phone: 937-382-8701
Bio: Chad began his career in the marine industry on the docks of
Cowan Lake
State Park as a young man in middle school. He attended college at the
Ohio
State University and Wilmington College. After a two-year career ... Read more.
Lauren Woodard-Splatt Woodard Marine, Hydeville, Vt.
Phone: 802-265-3690
Bio:
Lauren Woodard-Splatt grew up in her family owned
and operated business
since she can remember. During her teen years
she spent her summers working at
the family dealership helping with the
day to day activities. In 2001 ... Read more.
Print to Page
