Edson Owner Wins Leadership Award

NMMA honored Will Keene, owner of Edson International, with the 2021 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award that recognizes individuals who’ve made outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity and personal motivation. The award was presented during NMMA’s State of the Recreational Boating Industry and Awards Presentation.

Will joined Edson in 1979, working alongside his father and brother and moving through the ranks as they built the company to what it is today, manufacturing industry-leading marine products for both power boats and sailboats, plus marine sanitation devices, marine pumps, industrial pumps, and commercial pumps.

For more than four decades, Will has been dedicated to improving inshore water quality with a commitment to building holding tank pump-out systems. In line with this commitment, Edson created the Edson Green Team, which encouraged all boaters and manufacturers of marine equipment to join in the Edson Green Team initiative.

Will’s efforts were instrumental in the passing of the 1992 Clean Vessel Act, including his testimony before a Congressional committee. He and a group of industry peers then came together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to write the standards for the federal Grants for pump-out stations.

Will has served on the NMMA Board of Directors and Sail America’s Board of Directors and also sits on the advisory committee for the New Bedford Whaling Museum.