The Soundings Trade Only Group announced that industry veterans Larry Russo and Steve Tilders have joined the judging panel for this year’s EPIC Awards.
The awards (formerly the Most Innovative Marine Company Awards) recognize companies moving the boating industry forward through exceptional, purposeful, innovative and compassionate leadership and action across categories including altruism and social awareness, development and technology, work culture, manufacturing processes and supply chains, start-ups, sustainability, and training.
“Each year, the EPIC Awards shine a light on the transformative work being done across our industry,” Michele Goldsmith, vice president and general manager of the Soundings Trade Only Group, said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to welcome Larry Russo and Steve Tilders to this year’s judging panel. Their depth of experience, industry leadership and commitment to the marine community will bring valuable insight to the 2026 awards.”
The judging panel will also include senior editorial and publishing leaders from the Soundings Trade Only Group and parent company Firecrown Media.
Russo spent more than four decades with Russo Marine, a family-owned, Medford, Mass., dealership founded in 1940, serving as president and CEO before its 2016 acquisition by MarineMax, after which he became senior vice president of MarineMax Northeast.
Tilders has more than five decades of industry experience, including 17 years with BoatLIFE and 34 years with the company whose marine brands evolved from Rule, ITT and Jabsco to Xylem. He served 17 years on the National Marine Manufacturers Association board, chairing the Marine Accessories and Components Division.
EPIC Award winners will be announced Oct. 7 at the conclusion of the Marine Ideas Exchange during IBEX, with recognition including one overall winner, a Top 10 list and category-specific recipients. Winners will be profiled in the November issue of Soundings Trade Only and online at TradeOnlyToday.com.
Entries must be achievements made between Aug. 16, 2025, and Aug. 21, 2026. The entry period runs through Aug. 21 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). Enter the EPIC Awards here.
