Jan 12, 2017

Yamaha Marine Group announced today that Martin Peters, Government Relations Manager, has been appointed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Sanctuary Business Advisory Council (BAC).  Peters is one of 15 council members and will serve a three-year term. The appointment underscores Yamaha’s continued efforts to represent the interests of U.S. recreational anglers and boaters.

“Martin Peters has been at the forefront of Yamaha’s communication and advocacy efforts on behalf of recreational fishing and boating,” said Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha Marine Group.  “During the last five years, he has conducted more than 250 meetings with members of Congress, and put an online advocacy system in place which allows concerned boaters to voice their opinions by sending letters to Congress.  Martin is passionate about conservation of our nation’s marine resources as well as the growth of our industry, and he will be a great asset to the council.”

“Martin’s new role on NOAA’s Sanctuary BAC will give the recreational boating industry a voice that it previously did not have within a process that has implications for our customers. We are excited that Yamaha, and the recreational boating industry, will now have a formal seat at the table during NOAA’s decision making process, as the agency considers policies that concern public resources that our critical to our industry.” 

The National Marine Sanctuary BAC includes representatives from travel and tourism, recreation, fishing, transportation, energy, and technology sectors, corporate foundations, and other businesses that derive profit from marine resources or have interest in marine natural and cultural resources. The BAC provides advice in the following areas: marine resource protection; assessment of the economic, social, and cultural value of national marine sanctuaries and other marine protected areas; leveraging the recreational and aesthetic values of national marine sanctuaries for building strong local, national, and international economies; and the development of joint initiatives and projects with the goal of sustaining and protecting special marine places.

Peters, who joined Yamaha Marine Group in 2006, leads teams that create communication, government relations, education and sponsorship strategies to support the Yamaha Marine Group brand, goals and objectives.  Previously, he spent seven years with Porsche Cars North America as Communications Manager, and seven years with Michelin North America as Public Relations Manager.  Peters also has a decade of experience as a journalist in both print and television. 

Peters currently serves on the Natural Resources Policy Committee for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the Government Relations Committee of the Center for Sportfishing Policy, and the Government Relations Committee of the American Sportfishing Association®. Peters also presently serves as the Chairman for Boat PAC at the National Marine Manufacturers Association® (NMMA®). 

Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.