The National Marine Manufacturers Association today announced that NMMA Canada president Sara Anghel is leaving after nearly 15 years with the organization. She recently accepted a position as president/CEO for the Greater Toronto Hotel Association.
“Sara has been a valued member of the NMMA leadership team with a long list of accomplishments throughout her tenure,” Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president, said in a statement. We thank her for her many years of service, leadership and impact and wish her well as she embarks on her next adventure.”
Anghel began her career at NMMA as vice president of Government Affairs for NMMA Canada before becoming president of the organization. She will remain with the NMMA through Dec. 7.
During her time with the association, Anghel played a significant role in advancing the organization’s advocacy efforts in Canada. She was instrumental in securing the removal of the retaliatory tariffs on boats in Canada and the industry’s unified response to Canada’s proposed luxury tax. Anghel also created the first Recreational Boating Day on Parliament Hill to bring industry issues to parliamentarians each year.
She was elected as the first female president of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). Additionally, Anghel was named the 2019 Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year, received Boating Ontario’s President’s Award and served as chair of the National Recreational Boating Advisory Council for more than six years.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I have decided to leave NMMA to pursue a new opportunity. Every single day of the last 15 years has been enjoyable and rewarding. I am thankful to have had the honor and privilege to represent the recreational boating industry across North America and the world,” said Anghel. “The friends and colleagues I have met along the way have been so supportive and these relationships will last a lifetime. I will miss the industry and the amazing people dearly.”
With the departure of Anghel, NMMA is forming a search committee and will be working with a Toronto-based search firm to find her successor. In the interim, NMMA Canada-related inquiries can be directed to Jim Wielgosz, NMMA’s director of Federal & Provincial Government Relations via email: [email protected].
