By Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
During its second annual Opening Night Awards Celebration on Dec. 9, the MRAA presented various members of the marine industry with scholarships across a variety of categories.
The Awards Celebration took place on the first night of the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla.
Patrick Green named 2018 Kevin Lodder Scholarship recipient
Patrick Green, Director of Certification and Customer Service Manager at Tobler Marina of Hayden, Idaho, has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Kevin Lodder Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The scholarship recipient was honored Sunday evening, Dec. 9, at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
This scholarship was founded in memory of Kevin Lodder of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, Ohio. Kevin worked in his family’s dealership and was dedicated to the marine industry from an early age until his untimely passing. The recipient of this scholarship receives tuition to attend the Spader Total Management 1 Workshop in Sioux Falls, S.D., and a stipend to offset travel expenses.
From the very beginning of his career, Patrick Green has persistently pursued opportunities for growth. Today, when he sets his eyes on the future, he aspires to run his own marine dealership as a general manager or owner. But he acknowledges that the path to realize that goal involves continued education and training.
“I have learned over the past 15 years working in the industry that Spader programs are essential to leadership,” he wrote in his application. “I believe that the accounting principles, best practices, and accountability workshops taught in the Spader training are going to enable me to take the ball and confidently execute processes to my everyday roles in the dealership.”
The Spader Total Management 1 Workshop is a five-day program in Sioux Falls, S.D., geared toward decision makers, leaders, and key employees. Topics covered include decision-making processes, business adaptability, pricing practices, inter-department profit plans, and communication skills.
“Anyone who has spent much time in the boating business knows that it takes real persistence and passion for your work to find success,” commented Matt Lodder of Marine Sales Group and the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “Those qualities make Patrick an ideal candidate for the Kevin Lodder Scholarship. By applying that persistence and passion to what he learns during the Total Management 1 Workshop, he will turn this investment of our Foundation’s funds into real results for him, Tobler Marina, and the industry.”
Chad Taylor named Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship recipient
Chad Taylor, owner of Taylor’s South Shore Marina in Waynesville, Ohio, has been selected as the recipient of the sixth annual Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation yesterday.
As a second-generation owner, Taylor has been charged with leading his organization into the future. Over the last 7 years, Taylor’s South Shore Marina has experienced rapid growth and has recognized a need to invest in its young and motivated staff.
Taylor was described by nominees as an individual with credibility and conviction that sets him apart from his peers throughout the industry. He is someone who strives to continuously improve himself and his results, but also encourages the personal and professional development of others.
The Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship was founded by Spader Business Management and the MRAA Educational Foundation in 2013 to honor the marine industry service of Spader founder Duane Spader, as well as his leadership philosophy of lifelong learning. The recipient receives full tuition to attend the Spader Leadership Development Program, valued at $14,875. Applicants must be employees of a Marine Retailers Association of the Americas retail member.
“My business [Taylor’s South Shore Marina] is at a critical point of growth, and I am eager to learn how to grow it to the next level and cultivate the best team while doing so,” wrote Taylor in his application. “I believe the Spader Leadership Development Program can provide me with the training to be the leader our team needs.”
Chad demonstrates a strong commitment to the future success and stability of the marine industry through his involvement in a Spader Marine 20 Group, as a regional director on the MRAA Board of Directors, and a board advisor for the MRAA’s Young Leaders Advisory Council.
The Spader Leadership Development Program is a 15- to 18-month program for current and future leaders that involves five, three-day sessions in Sioux Falls, S.D. Between sessions, participants are tasked with putting what they’ve learned to work in their dealership and tracking the results of those efforts.
“We are thrilled to award this scholarship to someone who has already contributed so much to the marine dealer community,” stated Jeff Siems, president of the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “Given his dedication to his dealership and the industry, we are confident that Chad will be able to leverage the scholarship to achieve great things.”
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