September 8, 2026

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has announced Bill Yeargin, former president and CEO of Correct Craft and past chair of the NMMA Board of Directors, as the 2026 inductee into the NMMA Hall of Fame, the association’s most prestigious honor. Yeargin will be presented with the award during the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) annual Industry Breakfast, taking place Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street.

The Industry Breakfast, the official kickoff to IBEX, is expected to sell out. Tickets are available through the IBEX registration portal, either during registration or by logging into an existing account.

Over a career spanning four decades, Yeargin has distinguished himself as an industry leader, advocate, innovator and mentor, with an impact extending well beyond the organizations he has led.

Yeargin joined Correct Craft as president and CEO in 2006 and led the company for 20 years before transitioning to board chair in April 2026. During his tenure, Correct Craft grew from $39 million in revenue to over $1 billion, while expanding through strategic acquisitions and building a diversified portfolio of boat, engine, technology and watersports businesses. The company today operates manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and distributes products in over 70 countries.

Yeargin also helped establish Correct Craft’s purpose-driven “Making Life Better” culture, placing an emphasis on people, performance, and philanthropy. Under his leadership, the company earned numerous industry honors, including recognition as Florida’s Manufacturer of the Year, the recreational boating industry’s Most Innovative Company and multiple NMMA Customer Satisfaction Index Awards.

“Bill has dedicated his career to making our industry better. His impact reaches far beyond the success of Correct Craft – he has invested in developing leaders, advocated for our industry, and has served as a friend and mentor to many,” said Zach Hutcheson, CEO of Correct Craft. “It’s a privilege to build on the foundation Bill established, and this recognition is a fitting tribute to his extraordinary service to Correct Craft and the broader recreational boating industry.”

Beyond his business leadership, Yeargin has been a longstanding champion of NMMA and its mission to advance and protect recreational boating. He served on the NMMA Board of Directors for more than a decade, including as board chair, and held leadership roles across numerous association committees and initiatives.

During his board leadership, Yeargin played an active role in shaping NMMA’s governance, advocacy and market expansion priorities and long-term strategic direction, helping strengthen the association’s voice on behalf of the recreational boating industry. He helped mobilize industry participation in the American Boating Congress and contributed to efforts to strengthen NMMA’s funding model, governance and long-term organizational strategy.

He has supported the industry’s market expansion efforts, helping bring together manufacturer and dealer leaders to clarify the respective roles of Discover Boating, manufacturers and dealers in attracting and converting the next generation of boaters.

“Bill’s contributions to the recreational boating industry have been significant and far-reaching,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president and CEO. “Throughout his career, he has brought a broad perspective to his leadership and a clear focus on making our community stronger. Through his leadership on the NMMA board, commitment to advocacy and market expansion, and ability to bring people together around shared learning and priorities, Bill has advanced our business sector and positioned it for greater success. His record of stewardship, service and commitment to excellence reflects exactly what the NMMA Hall of Fame was established to honor.”

Yeargin’s industry service extends across numerous organizations, including the Recreational Boating Leadership Council, American Boatbuilders Association, Water Sports Industry Association, Association of Marina Industries, International Marina Institute, American Boat & Yacht Council and Marine Industry Technical Education Council. He has also championed workforce development and marine technical education and mentored leaders throughout the industry.

His industry-focused advocacy has extended to the national level. Yeargin served on cabinet-level advisory councils during the Obama and Trump administrations and served as co-chair of the U.S. Manufacturing Council’s Tax and Trade Committee, where he worked with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on manufacturing and trade policy. He has also served on the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees and numerous corporate and non-profit boards.

A long-time thought leader on leadership and organizational culture, Yeargin has authored nine books and hundreds of articles and has spoken at events on six continents. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA and has completed postgraduate studies at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT and the London School of Economics. His industry and business honors include Boating Industry’s “Mover and Shaker of the Year,” recognition by Florida Trend as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders and Orlando Business Journal’s “CEO of the Year.”

Bill and his wife, Leigh, have two daughters, Erin (married to Ben) and Amanda, and a beautiful granddaughter, Rosie, who puts a smile on his face.

Attend the 2026 IBEX Industry Breakfast
Yeargin will be formally presented with the 2026 NMMA Hall of Fame Award during the IBEX Industry Breakfast in Tampa on Oct. 6. The annual breakfast is one of the industry’s signature events, bringing together marine leaders and professionals to recognize achievement, innovation and the people helping shape recreational boating’s future.
IBEX 2026 takes place Oct. 6-8 at the Tampa Convention Center. The Industry Breakfast traditionally sells out, and attendees are encouraged to secure tickets early. Tickets are available through the IBEX registration process.

To learn more about past NMMA Hall of Fame inductees, visit the NMMA Industry Awards page.