NMMA names new president

Frank Hugelmeyer, former president of the RV Industry Association, has been appointed president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). He succeeds Thom Dammrich, who has led the NMMA for 20 years and announced his retirement in 2018.

“Frank brings extensive experience and expertise in outdoor recreation and association management to NMMA, making him the ideal growth-minded leader for the recreational boating industry,” said Ben Speciale, NMMA chairman and president of Yamaha’s U.S. Marine Business Unit. “We look forward to his leadership and strategic vision as he guides our industry through ever-changing economic and political landscapes.”

Hugelmeyer served as president of RVIA since 2015, focusing on market development and strengthening of the industry-wide consumer campaign, Go RVing. He also directed advocacy policy initiatives and established coalitions across the outdoor recreation sector, including the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

RVIA represents the $50 billion RV industry with a membership of 400 manufacturers and component and aftermarket suppliers that produce 98 percent of all RVs made in the U.S.

Prior to RVIA, Hugelmeyer was president and CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association for 14 years.

NMMA is focused on promoting and protecting recreational boating through advocacy and market expansion including federal and state public policy, engineering standards and certification, statistics and research, boat and sport shows, trade events, marketing and communications, export development and support for the Grow Boating Initiative. Hugelmeyer joins NMMA amid the association’s three-year strategic plan that includes increased investment in advocacy; research and industry promotion focused on retaining and recruiting boat owners; and, workforce development.

“I am honored and grateful to the NMMA board for the appointment to lead this remarkable organization of dedicated and talented professionals working to advocate for recreational boating,” Hugelmeyer said in a news release. “Boating and fishing are vital economic drivers and treasured American pastimes, so this is a special opportunity to combine my professional expertise with a lifestyle that personally means so much to me. By introducing more people to the joys of boating, strengthening marine advocacy and building greater industry unity, we’ll ensure that NMMA members have a bright future.”

After a transition period beginning in July, Hugelmeyer will officially take the helm Oct. 1, 2019.