MTA/NJ Elects New Officers and Directors and Announces Sponsor Awards

On April 17 the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) held its Annual Dinner & Elections at The Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach and elected its 2025-2026 officers and directors. The association also presented three Top Sponsor Awards.

Brian Houf of MESCO will take the helm as president of the Association. Jerry Bench of Wintron Electronics will assume a new role as first vice president, and Karen Gruppuso of Coastal Environmental Consulting will assume a new role as second vice president. Ed Harrison, III of Baywood Marina remains the treasurer and Raymond Bogan of Sinn, Cantoli, Bogan, & Steuerman continues as secretary. Colleen Blake of All Points Marina in will continue to serve on the board as immediate past president.

Two new directors were elected to the board: John Leek of Viking Yacht Co. & Valhalla Boatworks, and Pat McGovern of Mack Boring & Parts Co.  Mark Cassidy of Cassidy’s Breton Woods Marina and Pat Salinas of Morgan Marina were re-elected to serve another two-year term as directors. The following directors will continue their terms: Lou Cecchini of Off Shore Marine, Aaron Held of Octopus Yachts: Marine Electrical Systems, Eric Traber of Pier 47 Marina, and Eliot Walters of Dillon’s Creek Marina.

The active past presidents that will continue to serve on the board include Greg Wright of John B. Wright Insurance Agency, Fred Brueggemann, Jim Cerruti, Ed McCarthy of McCarthy’s Marine Sales, Don Ditzel of Comstock Yacht Sales & Marina, Ed Harrison, Jr. of Baywood Marina, Tom Leaming of Leamings Marina, Paul Terzian of Causeway Marine Sales, and Rick Traber of Pier 47 Marina.

MTA/NJ Members also heard from the association’s lobbyist, Rob Nixon of State House Strategies. Nixon provided a Legislative Update: The 2025 Political Landscape and What’s on the Horizon, including exclusive insights into government developments and a sneak peek at what’s ahead for this November’s gubernatorial election.

The MTA/NJ also held its Sponsor of the Year Awards at the annual dinner. The MTA/NJ established this award over twenty years ago to show its appreciation and to recognize the leading sponsors and supporters of the Association. The Top Sponsor of the Year awards went to Pettit Paint and ValvTect Marine Fuel in Greensboro, NC, John B. Wright Insurance Agency of Manasquan and Travelers Ocean Marine Insurance of Edison.