Soundings Trade Only publisher Michele Goldsmith was elected to the Grow Boating board of directors. Goldsmith was elected as an at-large member, along with Louis Chemi, chief operating officer of Freedom Boat Club. Natalie Carrera of Indmar Marine was elected as an engine manufacturer representative.

Goldsmith said she was “honored” to serve on the Grow Boating board. The group’s mission is to expand boating participation through its Discover Boating marketing and Marine Industry Certified Dealership programs. “This group is developing methods, utilizing a variety of marketing tools to increase awareness, learn about and improve the journey of a first-time boat buyer,” Goldsmith said.

Grow Boating funds the programs through surcharges on marine engine purchases. Newly elected NMMA chairman Ben Speciale told Trade Only Today that expanding Grow Boating will be a major initiative for the organization over the next two years.

Grow Boating’s board comprises boatbuilders, engine manufacturers, accessories manufacturers, dealer representatives and at-large members.

Boatbuilder representatives: Shelby Kirby, Sea Ray Group; Phil Estes, Malibu Boats; Peter Barrett, SmokerCraft; Maurice Bowen, White River Marine Group.

Engine manufacturer representatives: Michelle Dauchy, Mercury Marine; Marcelo Puscar, Volvo Penta of the Americas; Dale Barnes, Yamaha Marine; Natalie Carrera, Indmar Marine Engines.

Dealer representatives: Joe Lewis, Mount Dora Boating Center, Mount Dora, Fla.; Matt Lodder, Lodder's Marine, Fairfield, Ohio; Larry Russo Sr., MarineMax Russo, Medford, Mass.; Dave Witty, OneWater Marine, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Accessory and component manufacturer representatives: Laurie Louvier, SeaStar Solutions; Bill Watters, Syntec Industries.

PWIA representative: Bryan Seti, Yamaha Watercraft Group.

At-large representatives: Michele Goldsmith, Soundings Trade Only; Louis Chemi, Freedom Boat Club; Glenn Sandridge, Bonnier Corp.