Skipper Bud's signs on as MRAA Premium Retail Member

MINNEAPOLIS — Skipper Bud’s, a leading group of family-owned and operated sales, service and marina locations, has signed on as a Premium Retail Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of retail membership within the association.

"We are proud to have earned such a high level of commitment from Skipper Bud’s,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. "With its long history of marine dealer excellence, the Skipper Bud’s team has a lot to contribute to the association as we move forward, and we look forward to working with them to continue to expand on our mission to be the voice of and leading resource for all marine dealers.”

Since its formation more than 40 years ago, Skipper Bud’s has demonstrated its commitment to customers, delivering the dream of the boating lifestyle at its 20-plus locations through long-term relationships with premium brands, professional and experienced staff, multiple service facilities and comprehensive list of offerings designed to make boating fun and hassle-free.

"Skipper Bud’s puts our customers’ boat buying and ownership experience first,” says Mike Pretasky Jr., Skipper Bud’s president. "We became an MRAA Premium Retail Member because we believe that MRAA’s work to further the interests of marine retailers ultimately helps members provide better customer service, and to us, that’s what it’s all about.”

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit www.MRAA.com.

About Skipper Bud’s

Headquartered in Winthrop Harbor, Ill., Skipper Bud’s is one of the marine industry’s largest sales, brokerage, service and marina groups. Offering premium brands, such as Sea Ray, Bayliner, Starcraft, Crestliner, Sylvan, Harris FloteBote, Four Winns, Trophy, Tigé, Tiara, Meridian, Malibu, SmokerCraft, MasterCraft, Crest Pontoons, Glastron, Azimut Yachts, Marquis and Cruisers Yachts, Skipper Bud’s sells new and used recreational boats and yachts, and parts & accessories, and provides service, boat storage, boat dockage, boat transport, delivery captains, educational classes, boating events and more. Skipper Bud’s currently has 24 retail locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.skipperbuds.com.