Jan 16, 2024

ABYC Board of Directors
(Left to right: Derek Rhymes, Matt Majors, Robert Newsome, Cindy Squires, Craig Scholten (ABYC Technical VP), Nancy Cueroni, Phil Estes, Jeff Wasil, John Adey (ABYC President), Sean Hatherley, Christina Paul, Pete Chisholm, William Daley, Leon McCorkle. Missing: Joe Maniscalco, Scott Croft, Randall Lyons, Eric Fetchko)

2024 ABYC Award Winners
(Left to right: Tom Marhevko (Technical Board Retirement), Jason Stimmel (Service Award), Augusto “Kiko” Villalon (Industry Icon Award), John Adey (ABYC President), Craig Scholten (Skip Moyer Leadership Award), Jeff Wasil (ABYC Board Chair). Missing: Lisa Esposito (Bolling Fortson Douglas Memorial Award)

USCG Captain Amy Beach addresses attendees during ABYC’s Annual Meeting

Augusto “Kiko” Villalon award an Industry Icon Award and Honorary Past Chair of ABYC

ABYC celebrated its 70th anniversary with members and industry leaders
 
The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) marked its 70th anniversary, welcomed new board members, and honored award recipients at its Jan. 8 annual meeting in Annapolis. The event is a highlight of ABYC Standards Week, where experts from various sectors of the marine industry meet to review and update safety standards related to the design, construction and repair of recreational boats.
 
ABYC Board Chair Jeff Wasil and President John Adey briefed attendees on ABYC’s initiatives and acknowledged the volunteers dedicated to boating safety. Capt. Amy Beach, director of inspections and compliance for the U.S. Coast Guard, also addressed the gathering.
 
Beach noted, “A recent study found NMMA Certified Boats using ABYC standards are much less likely to be involved in accidents involving serious injury or fatality than non-certified boats. The USCG cannot accomplish its safety mission alone and we’re thankful to have such long standing partnerships as ABYC.”
 
The 2024 board of directors were elected, including Scott Croft of BoatUS, Sean Hatherley of Navico Group, and Randall Lyons from the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association.
 
Hatherley expressed his admiration for ABYC, highlighting its role in setting industry standards and its international recognition by groups like the International Organization for Standardization and the U.S. Coast Guard. He stated, “Without the level of education and training provided, many companies large and small would not be successful today. The industry is constantly changing and ABYC has everything covered to make sure boats are built to safe standards and high quality.”
 
The meeting concluded with ABYC’s annual award ceremony, where the following recognitions were presented:
 
·        Lisa Esposito of IYRS School of Technology and Trades received the Bolling Fortson Douglas Memorial Award.
·        Jason Stimmel from Suzuki was honored with the ABYC Service Award.
·        Mike Jendrossek, retired USCG, received the Horizon Award.
·        Craig Scholten from ABYC was awarded the Skip Moyer Award.
 
Additionally, Tom Marhevko from NMMA was acknowledged for his contributions to the ABYC Technical Board. Augusto “Kiko” Villalon received an Industry Icon Award and an Honorary Past Chairperson Award.
 
For a comprehensive list of ABYC’s board of directors and further information about the organization, visit www.abycinc.org.