MRAA Announces 2025 Young Leaders Advisory Council

Feb 4, 2025

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas has announced that the Young Leaders Advisory Council has new leadership and new members.

Wendy Ramsey, of Pirate Cove Marina in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada has taken to the helm as the YLAC Chair. Ramsey, who has a passion for workforce development and serves as a Director At Large on the MRAA Board of Directors, is a young marine professional making moves throughout her region and the industry. J Hurless, from Reeder-Trausch Marine in Rockville, Ind., is the new Co-Chair. J has been actively involved in the MRAA for years and continues to leave his mark with his industry leadership.

Wendy Ramsey, GM at Pirate Cove Marina in Canada, will serve as YLAC Chair.

“We are delighted to welcome our new members to the Young Leaders Advisory Council,” says Ramsey. “Their commitment to dedicating their valuable time and expertise to our marine industry initiatives demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking leadership we need. In an increasingly demanding business environment, their willingness to contribute to our upcoming projects speaks volumes about their dedication to advancing our industry. I look forward to collaborating with these dynamic young leaders as we work together to create meaningful impact in the year ahead.”

New YLAC Members:

• Hayden Hall, Sales Manager, Hall’s Sports Center, Muskegon, Mich.

• Andrew Schraedly, Co-Owner/Business Development Manager, Schraedly Marine Inc./Charles Mill Marina, Mansfield, Ohio

• Ally Stacy, Marketing Manager, Strong’s Marine, Mattituck, N.Y.

• Miranda Doan, Marketing Manager, Avalon & Tahoe Pontoons, Alma, Mich.

Additional Returning YLAC Members:

• James Cimino, Owner, Sierra Hills Mobile Marine, Auburn, Calif.

• Justin Dysert, Sales & Finance Manager, Taylor’s South Shore Marina, Waynesville, Ohio

• Christian Hansen, General Manager, Idaho Water Sports, Idaho Falls, Idaho

• Ashlynn LaLonde Olson, Vice President, Hutchinson’s Boat Works, Inc., Alexandria Bay, N.Y.

• Heather Mess, National Marina Manager, MarineMax, Inc., Clearwater, Fla.

• Will Monson, General Sales Manager, Moose Landing Marina, Naples, Maine

• Braden Panasiuk, General Manager, Gibbons Motor Toys, Salmon Arm, B.C., Canada

• Jon Stovall, Sales Associate/Licensed Broker, MarineMax- Lake Lanier, Cumming, Ga.

• Kenda Kennard, Business Development Representative, Huntington Distribution Finance (Industry Representative), Schaumburg, Ill.

• Sarah Korbel, Events and Operations Manager, MRAA, Minneapolis, Minn.

The mission of the YLAC is to supplement and support the mission of the Board of Directors of the MRAA. YLAC provides guidance as to the current state of the marine retailers’ day-to-day operations, both in challenges and opportunities. YLAC strives to set the example in identifying, inspiring, recruiting and onboarding key younger generation members to participate in the association, facilitating the future growth and success of MRAA.

The MRAA will hold a call for applications from young marine professionals in the fall of 2025. Learn more about YLAC, or email Sarah Korbel at sarah@mraa.com.