National Marine Electronics Association elected Peter Braffitt to the board of directors as a trade member. His three-year term started Jan. 1.
Braffitt is director of Gemeco Marine Accessories, a supplier of electronics based in Lake City, S.C. He joined Airmar Technology Corp. in 1990, then left to run his own company before returning to Airmar. Braffitt joined Gemeco as business development manager in 2005 and worked up to general manager and, eventually, director.
“My goal as a board member is to tap my unique — experience having ties to the manufacturing, product development, OEM and distribution sides of our market segment — and help find balance between the needs of each,” Braffitt said in a statement. “I have a good understanding of what the technicians and dealers perceive as important, and I will represent their interests, as well. I also think many smaller boatbuilders and solo dealers don’t understand how they can benefit from being NMEA members, so I want to get involved in marketing to them and gaining additional members for our organization.”
Also elected to the board were chairperson Steven Katz of Steve’s Marine Service, vice chairperson Brian Kane of GOST, and directors Paul Comyns of Intellian and CWR’s Brian Swanke.
