The Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) announced today that it has appointed Larry Russo, Sr. to chair a newly formed task force to review its membership programs. Russo is President and CEO of Russo Marine in Medford, MA and is a past chairman of MRAA. "The association is seeking new initiatives and strategies to redefine and enhance its membership programs", said Russo. "We have assembled a diverse group of task force members to review current programs and deliver a report of recommendations to the Board of Directors by April of 2010".

Task force members are; Steve Baum of Boat Owners Warehouse, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and John Irwin of Irwin Marine, Laconia, NH, both current members of the MRAA Board of Directors; Eric Smith of Colorado Boat Center, Loveland, CO and Thalia Chase of Castaways Marina, Queensbury, NY, both members of MRAA's Young Leaders Advisory Council

"This task force and its members will be a valuable addition to MRAA's efforts to reach recreational boat dealers nationwide", said Phil Keeter, MRAA President.

After holding its first meeting during the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, the group is already working toward the first set of goals it has established.

BOCA GRANDE, FL — The Marine Retailers Association of America's (MRAA) newly formed Young Leaders Advisory Council (YLAC) met for the first time on Monday, Nov. 16 during the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando last month.

During the meeting, Carly Poole of Canadian dealership Buckeye Marine was elected YLAC chairperson, and Ryan Hebert of Texas Marine was elected YLAC secretary.

Other YLAC members include: Brad Parker, Parker Boats of Daytona; Alex Russo, Russo Marine; Luke Kujawa, Crystal-Pierz Marine; Billy McKee, Utah WaterSports; Matt Lodder, Lodder Marine; Eric Smith, Colorado Boat Center; Jeff Haradine, WakeSide Marine; Thalia Chase, Castaway Marine; Lauren Woodard-Splatt, Woodard Marine; Martin Boyer, Austin Boats & Motors; and Liz Walz, Boating Industry magazine.

Before the meeting came to a close, the council voted to place several proposals in front of the MRAA Board of Directors, established three committees to work on group goals and selected YLAC members to serve on two MRAA Board committees. Initial goals formulated by the group included an emphasis on marketing and communications, industry partnership and membership.

Boating Industry magazine announced its Top 100 Dealers at the fifth annual gala event at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. This listing recognizes those dealers who not only have posted the largest dollar volume but also have outstanding customer service, marketing programs, general business operations and a high degree of professionalism.

The Top 100 dealerships include 269 retail locations nationwide; 65 of those 100 are certified dealerships. The hard work, persistence and dedication of our members to their dealership is evident from the list.

MRAA is pleased to announce that President Obama has just proposed to raise the maximum loan size for SBA Microloans from $35,000 to $50,000. As a reminder, the Microloan program can be used for working capital to help small businesses continue to operate in these hard times and to make it through the challenges of the recession.

The increase in the loan limit, as proposed by the President, must now be approved by Congress. MRAA will work with other key retail and manufacturer organizations and Congress to enhance passage of the President's proposals.

"The SBA Microloan program is a good program for struggling small businesses. It usually has a loan interest rate typically about 8-9% and can be structured to be repaid in 5-6 years. Go to the SBA web site at www.sba.gov for complete guidance on how to apply. But, the important aspect of the Microloan is it can be used for working capital to help pay expenses. As we go into a winter boat show season, we understand these funds can be used to pay for exhibit costs. It is vital that boat dealers make every attempt to attend these winter shows, and SBA Microloans may help," said Ed Lofgren, MRAA Chairman.

MRAA also wants to remind dealers that the SBA ARC loan program provides interest free loans to small businesses experiencing immediate financial hardship of up to $35,000 for up to 5-years for working capital and company expenses of doing business, including exhibitor fees for boat shows. Information for eligibility for ARC loans can be obtained by going to the SBA web site at www.sba.gov