History & Mission

The NMRA newsletter, Tidings, is published quarterly. It provides NMRA members and the industry with updates on association activities and programs, as well as member and relevant industry news.

Awarded Annually
This award was created in memory of Mel Barr, an independent marine rep deeply involved in our industry, one of the founders of NMRA and its first president. On his untimely death in 1967, his family, along with NMRA, established the award to honor an individual who has contributed to the improvement of the marine industry. It's voted on by NMRA member rep groups and presented annually at the IBEX Industry Breakfast.

Awarded Annually

This award is presented at the NMRA annual general membership meeting to a rep who has contributed to the reputation of NMRA and to the entire marine representative profession as a whole.

Since 2008, NMRA has actively contributed to the future of the marine industry by offering scholarships to students pursuing education in the marine trades.

The NMRA scholarship is awarded annually.  Funds for the scholarships are raised by NMRA members, Affiliate Members and non-members.  The scholarship program begins accepting applications in the spring annually and recipients are selected during the summer. 

The Mel Barr Award

Mel Barr Award past recipients (alphabetical order):

Ron Bailey, Bruce Barr, George Bellwoar, Blake Bennett, Frank Butler, Joe Charles, Carl Cramer, Thom Dammrich, Bob Dietmeier, Joe DiMaria, James Dunn, Eddie Dyer, John Ford, Saul Garelick, Richard Genth, Teddee Grace, Bill Graham, Bill Greene, John Fye, Ted Hood, Irwin Jacobs, Charles Jones, Matt Kaufman, Will Keene, Phil Keeter, George Keller, Bette Kelly, Jack Kitchen, George P. Kraemer, Joe Langley, Ted Lotz, George MacDonald, Kenny Magoon, Jerry Martin, Zack McLanahan, Joe Miller, Bill Murphy, Jeff Napier, Ben Nichol, Eldon Nysether, Bud Osgood, Marvin Perkins, Larry Porche, Jeep Quire, Don Rocheleau, Tina Sanderson, Ron Schmitt, Bob Selig Jr., Bert Sherman, Larry Snyder, Steve Sprole, Bob Staehle, Donald Stewart, James W. Taylor, William “Bill” Taylor, Johnny Thomerson, George VanZevern, Chuck Weise.

The Old Pro Award

Old Pro Award past recipients (alphabetical order):

Tom Anderson, Jack Barnes, Thomas H. Connolly, Tim Conroy, Ivan Cross, Niven Damon, W. Bert David, James Dunn, Randy Dykstra, John Fye, John Godwin, Bill Greene, Ron Gueterman, Glenn Hood, Russ Legg, Evan Love, Morris Love, Al Luehmann, Kenny Magoon, William F. Miller, Mike Mullin, Jeff Munzinger, Frank Ongaro, Charles A. Perry, Jay Sanders, Bob Schreiner, Dennis Spaulding, Phil Stone, Peter Waters, John Wedeberg.

Noah Luff graduated from the California Maritime Academy in April, 2018 with a marine transportation degree and is now employed by the Washington State Ferries. Grateful to the NMRA for its support in his educational goals, Luff now aspires to become a boat captain. When asked how he'd advise his past self, Luff said he'd counsel to persevere, take it one day at a time, and remember to keep things in perspective.

Andrew Grossi is in the home stretch of the Yacht Design program at the Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. He said, "I am doing well – I graduated in 2019 with a GPA of 97 and consistently received positive instructor's reviews for my designs, so please know that the NMRA Scholarship was well worthwhile to me." Grossi currently works at a marine canvas and upholstery shop in the Cape Cod area and is hoping to work in design at a boatbuilding company or naval architecture firm soon.