HIA Board of Directors to serve two-year terms

CHICAGO, May 24, 2007 – The Houseboat Industry Association (HIA) recently elected officers and welcomed new members to its Board of Directors. Officers are elected to serve one-year terms (March 2007 through March 2008), while Board members serve two (March 2007 through March 2009).

Members of the 2007-2008 HIA Board of Directors include: Pat Duggan, Merrimac Marine Insurance; Matt Harvey, Fun Country Marine; Sheldon Graber, Destination Yachts; Shawn Heinen, Thoroughbred Houseboats; Greg Kyllo, Twin Anchors Marine; Steve Lochmueller, Sumerset Houseboats; Mark Suttie, Aramark/Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas; and Tom Sutherland, Westerbeke Corporation.

Harvey was elected HIA Chairman of the Board, and Duggan was named Vice Chairman. Charlie Game of IMCA became an Ex-Officio Board member for 2007-2009.

“As the new HIA Chairman, I intend to further incorporate houseboating into Grow Boating Initiative (GBI) efforts,” says Harvey. “We’re looking forward to being partners with GBI and plan to be fully integrated into the Grow Boating and Discover Boating programs. Keeping houseboating in the forefront of people’s recreational boating options is a major goal of HIA moving forward.”

HIA represents the interests of the houseboat industry in legislative, regulatory and promotional affairs. Its mission is to serve all aspects of the houseboat industry by creating, promoting and protecting an environment where members can achieve financial success through excellence in product satisfaction and customer relations. HIA is an official affiliate of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

For additional information regarding HIA, contact Bernice McArdle at (312) 946-6280; bmcardle@nmma.org.