MIASF Announces Election Results and Award Winners

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) held its annual meeting and awards ceremony on Saturday, May 18. More than 200 members attended.

During the event, elections were held. Graeme Lord of Fairport Inc. was newly elected to the board, joining re-elected members Megan Lagasse Washington with Pier 66, Marieke van Peer of Seahaven Superyacht Marina and James Brewer with Derektor Shipyard. Officers elected include chairman, Jim Naugle of Lauderdale Boat Yard, vice-chairman, Doug West with Lauderdale Marine Center, secretary/treasurer, and Jimmie Harrison of Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller. Immediate past chairman is David Reed with The Triton.

MIASF CEO/President Phil Purcell discussed the year in review and introduced the association’s newly appointed vice president, James Maitland, formerly of Oceanmax. Additionally, the winner of the Frank Herhold Memorial Scholarship, Morgan Short from Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanology, was recognized for her work on corals.

Golden Anchor Award and Awards of Excellence were also presented to recognize individuals and businesses from the industry or in the community whose outstanding achievements and contributions represent excellence and have had positive and significant impacts on the South Florida recreational marine industry.

Individuals receiving the MIASF Award of Excellence included John Fiore from the Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Committee, Mike Busacca, chief operating officer of Fraser Yachts, and Jim Payne, Broward County Schools curriculum supervisor.

The Project of Excellence was awarded to Seahaven Superyacht Marina, and the Community Project of the Year award was presented to the MIASF Habitat for Humanity sponsors: High Seas Yacht Service, Boat Owners Warehouse, Frank & Jimmie’s Propeller, Neptune Boat Lifts, Ward’s Marine Electric, Advanced Mechanical Enterprises, and Centennial Bank. Marine Industry Advocacy Awards were presented to Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo), Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation), and Teye Reeves of Smith, Bryan & Myers.

The annual Golden Anchor Award was posthumously given to Frank and Gertrude Denison in recognition of their lifetime of industry contribution and achievement. The award was accepted by Denison family members after a video tribute honoring the history of Broward Marine and its impact on the South Florida marine industry.