Susan Swanton to Retire from MMTA

Maine Marine Trades Association (MMTA) Executive Director, Susan Swanton, will retire in December, after 40 years in the marine industry.

Swanton spent 18 years managing service departments in boatyards and doing inside sales at a marine wholesaler before she took the job with MMTA. Under her leadership, MMTA helped create the Maine Marine Trades Apprenticeship Program, the Maine Clean Boatyards and Marinas Program, and the Marine Systems Training Center. She has been recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 1, and received the 2016 Dennis Snow President’s Award from the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association.

Taking over for Swanton is Stacey Keefer who worked for several years in a midcoast boatyard, was previously employed by MMTA and most recently was boat show manager for Maine Boats Homes & Harbors. In addition, she served on the MMTA Board of Directors.

“I can’t imagine a more amazing career than the one I am about to leave. I have loved this industry and its many wonderful people for nearly 40 years. But for the good of the association I felt it was time for a fresher set of eyes, a different perspective and someone with more energy than I can muster – and we will certainly have that with Stacey!” Swanton said.