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.