Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) Chief Executive Officer, Bill Oakerson announced Monday that BoatU.S. Senior Vice President of Membership Nancy Michelman has been promoted to President of the nation's largest recreational boat owners advocacy group. Michelman succeeds Jim Ellis who has decided to retire after 24 years with the organization.
Michelman joined BoatU.S. as Manager of Membership in 1989 after working for the American Automobile Association in new product development and holding other marketing and management roles in the public relations and international education fields. Over her tenure she is credited with growing BoatU.S. membership from 300,000 members to over 670,000 today, giving the organization a bigger voice on Capitol Hill as well as providing boaters with more valuable benefits. She has developed innovative marketing and incentive programs and focused on staff development. More recently, Michelman was appointed to the organization's board of directors in 2003.
Oakerson said, "Nancy's leadership and creative thinking have been pivotal in growing our membership and ensuring our members continually have new and exciting programs. She has fostered our relationship with our marketing partner, West Marine, as well as with other affiliates that have enhanced our growth. Her accomplishments have helped ensure our continuing success nationwide and especially with the expansion of our presence in inland waterways and with freshwater boaters."
Michelman said, "Listening to what our members have to say about their own boating experiences, challenges, and needs is my priority. I want to ensure that their voice is heard wherever I go and I promise to take their messages to government, the boating industry and other boating partners."
Michelman is only the association's fourth president in four decades, and when asked about how BoatU.S. has evolved over the years she said, "We started 40 years ago offering services, savings and representation, and our mission is as relevant today as it was back in 1966."
Michelman boats on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband, Laurence Schmukler, aboard their 20-foot Grady White.
BoatU.S. - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its members with a wide array of consumer services including a group-rate marine insurance program that insures nearly a quarter million boats; the largest fleet of more than 500 towing assistance vessels; discounts on fuel, slips, and repairs at over 835 Cooperating Marinas; boat financing; and a subscription to BoatU.S. Magazine, the most widely read boating publication in the U.S.
