MANA is pleased to announce that Doug Bower joined the MANA staff on December 6, 2010 as the new Director of Strategic Alliances. He is replacing Jay Ownby who is retiring after five-and-a-half years of service.
Previously Doug was a National Sales Manager with Dow Corning, where he worked extensively with manufacturers’ reps. Doug is very active in PTRA, the Power and Motion Technology Association and served on their Board of Directors for two years. He also worked with manufacturers’ reps when he was Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Shin Etsu Silicones.
Doug is a native Californian, has a BS from USC and an MBA from Pepperdine. He has three children, five grandchildren and enjoys boating and fishing. He’s also been a youth soccer referee for 30 years.
MANA’s Jay Ownby To Retire
Jay Ownby, MANA’s Director of Strategic Alliance, is retiring on January 31, 2011, after five-and-a-half years of MANA service. He will be replaced by Doug Bower.
In his capacity as Director of Strategic Alliance, Jay was responsible for PTRA, AIM/R and NAGMR (other manufacturers’ rep associations managed by MANA). He also provided member counseling for MANA members and was a valuable contributor to the many programs offered by MANA to members.
We wish Jay the best and thank him for all his many contributions while he was here. We will miss him.
NMRA Names New Officers And Board Members
The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) has passed the baton. During the recent annual general membership meeting, the national organization announced its newly-elected 2010-2011 officers and board members.
After a year of leadership, Jeff Gueterman of GSW & Associates, Apex, North Carolina, will be stepping into the role of past president. Assuming his role as NMRA president is Rick Silverlake of Silverlake West Company, Huntington Beach, California.
“Reps are an integral part of the marine industry fabric,” said Silverlake. “As NMRA president, I will work hard to extend the reach of our organization and promote the cost-saving advantages reps can provide manufacturers in this economy.”
Chris Kelly of Waters & David Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, is now vice president, while Kathy Munzinger of Munzinger & Company, Springfield, Missouri, moves into the role of treasurer. Ken Smaga of ComMar Sales LLC, Land O’ Lakes, Florida, joins the officers as secretary after serving on the NMRA board of directors.
Serving a three-year term, two new members were elected to the six-seat NMRA board of directors. They are Doug Peterson of Gartner Group, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Jay Sanders of West Coast Sales, Vista, California.
Peterson and Sanders join existing NMRA board members: Tom LaSanta of Anchor Sales & Marketing, Bayou Vista, Texas; Ivan Cross of Merifield Company, Camano Island, Washington; W.M. (Pat) Black of W.M. Black & Company, Mentor-On-The-Lake, Ohio; and Chris Martorana of Macaroni Marketing, Watsonville, California.
Founded in 1960, NMRA is a national organization serving independent marine representatives and manufacturers who sell through representatives. This professional association functions as an industry voice, promoting networking and the benefits of utilizing reps for sales.
For more information about NMRA visit their web site at www.nmraonline.org.
