The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is accepting nominations and applications for its Young Leaders Advisory Council.

The MRAA created YLAC as an advisory group to represent the needs and the thinking of the next generation of marine retailers and to provide additional insight and direction to the MRAA Board of Directors. The council’s creation was based on a desire to help develop future leaders to aid in the progress and growth of the boating industry.

“YLAC has been an incredible benefit to the MRAA,” says Matt Gruhn MRAA President. “Not only does this group bring a new level of energy to the association, but its members also add a new perspective and a longer-term approach to our thinking, which helps us better fill the needs of all of our members in addition to attracting and fostering a new generation of leadership within the marine dealer body.”

Since its inception, YLAC has successfully infused the MRAA with new ideas and insights, and in order to continue this, the association is looking to add new members to this vibrant group. Applications can be submitted by anyone interested in joining the group, and individual nominations of potential YLAC candidates can be submitted directly to the MRAA who will then contact each nominee.

Applicants or nominees should be willing to meet face-to‐face with the group twice a year and provide their ideas and insights, in addition to working jointly with other council and MRAA board of directors members on subcommittees. Applicants or nominees for this group must be under 40 years of age, must hold a position of significance in a dealership, and must have a minimum of 5 years of marine industry experience.

To apply to the Young Leaders Advisory Committee, visit www.mraa.com/?page=YLACApplication; or to nominate a young professional to YLAC, visit www.mraa.com/?page=YLACNomination. Nominations must be submitted by June 30, 2012, and applications must be submitted by July 31, 2012. Please contact Matt Gruhn, MRAA President, at matt@mraa.com or 763-315-8043 or Ryan Hebert, YLAC Chairman, at ryan@texasmarine.com or 409/898-7632 for more information.