NMRA Presents 2025 Mel Barr & Old Pro Awards At IBEX

October 21, 2025

Two marine industry veterans were recognized at IBEX 2025 in Tampa last week by the National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) as the recipients of the 2025 NMRA Mel Barr and Old Pro awards.
 
The Mel Barr Award was created in memory of Mel Barr, an independent marine rep deeply involved in our industry, one of the founders of the NMRA and its first president. On his untimely death in 1967, his family, along with the NMRA, established the award to honor individuals who have contributed to the improvement of the marine industry. It’s voted on by NMRA member rep groups.
 
The 2025 NMRA Mel Barr Award recipient is Steve Tilders, Xylem Marine Sales Director of the Americas.
The NMRA Old Pro Award recognizes an NMRA member who actively contributes to the association and the marine rep profession as a whole.

The 2025 NMRA Old Pro Award recipient is Charlie Haimes of the Haimes Coleman Group.

NMRA is the leading professional membership organization for independent marine sales representatives. For more information, visit https://nmraonline.org.

Related Posts




Good Advice that You Can Share – The Art of Anchoring  

Unless a boat is secured, it will drift away. If it cannot be attached to something secure, such as a dock, piling, mooring buoy, tree, or boulder, it must be anchored. There is much more to anchoring than simply tossing the anchor over the side. 
 
An anchoring system has two parts: the anchor itself and the rode which connects the anchor to the boat. To be effective, an anchor must have good holding power, and the rode must be strong enough to withstand the strains that are put on it. 

Read More




Need to Catch up on News This Week?

Every Tuesday we publish a fresh Digest with informative articles pertaining to the Canadian boating and marine industry. Stay up to date with the latest products, research and industry developments.

Missed an Issue of Boating Industry Canada News Week? If you’re looking for a specific issue, or simply want to catch up on previous issues, check out our Boating Industry Canada News Week Archives.

Not signed up for News Week? Subscribe here.



Rayglass 2400 makes its Australian debut at the 2026 Sydney Boat Show

Rayglass Boats, a Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) brand and a globally recognized designer and manufacturer of premium power boats, today announced that Australian boaters will get their first chance to see the Rayglass 2400 it in person for the first time. Queensland Marine Centre will bring the 2400 to the 2026 Sydney Boat Show, running 30 July – 2 August at Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park at Stand D104. The next generation 2700 will also be on display.

Read More


ePropulsion Enters Powered Kayak Fishing Market with Innovative kLite Electric Outboard

ePropulsion Americas, the global leader in marine electric propulsion systems and services, has announced that it is entering the powered kayak market with the all-new kLite 750 electric outboard. Building on the award-winning technology that shattered convention with the highly portable eLite, the kLite 750 is powerful, but contained in a lightweight and compact form factor ideal for recreational or fishing kayaks alike.

Read More