IMAGE COURTESY MRAA

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Educational Foundation is calling for nominations and applications for its annual scholarships and for the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award. Scholarships and the award will be presented in December at the association’s annual Dealer Week Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla.

The Duane Spader Leadership Development and Kevin Lodder educational scholarships are intended to financially assist the career development of marine industry professionals and promote workforce development within boating. Presented annually since 1987, the Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding woman who is actively involved in the marine industry at any level. The deadline to submit a nomination or application is Sept. 15.

“The MRAA Educational Foundation scholarships make a lasting difference in the lives of the recipients, helping them to amplify their leadership traits and implement tactics for long-term career success,” Matt Loder, MRAA educational foundation chair, said in a statement. “The scholarships benefit the marine industry by providing access to world-class training. Through this recognition, the MRAA Educational Foundation advances its mission to grow the marine industry and honor workforce members by helping marine businesses train and grow their employees.”

Online applications for the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship and Kevin Lodder Scholarship are also being accepted.

In its 12th year, the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship provides the recipient tuition to attend NCM Associates’ (formerly Spader Business Management) Dealership Development Program, which spans 15 to 18 months and includes five three-day training sessions. The scholarship honors Duane Spader’s dedication to the recreational boating industry.

The Kevin Lodder Scholarship includes tuition and a travel stipend for the recipient to attend the NCM Associates Total Management 1 Workship. The scholarship was established in 2004 in memory of Kevin Lodder of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, Ohio. The scholarship honors Kevin Lodder’s passion for the marine industry and commitment to achieving success through education.

Named in memory of the late Darlene Briggs of Wayzata, Minn., The Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award celebrates women who exemplify her spirit and contributions to the industry. It is sponsored by the MRAA and Boating Industry magazine.

“The Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award is a significantly important award for the boating industry because it both continues to recognize Darlene’s legacy as an industry pioneer, as well as celebrating today’s exceptional women leaders who play critical roles throughout our great industry,” MRAA president Matt Gruhn said in the statement.