Van Wagoner Receives 2021 Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Foundation for Recreational Boating Safety, Education and Environmental Awareness announced that Bruce Van Wagoner, president-Marine Group of Wells Fargo, is the recipient of the 2021 Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award for his service, commitment and dedication to the long-term health of the recreational boating industry. Bruce was honored April 22 during the American Boating Congress (ABC).

Van Wagoner has served the marine industry for 45 years, most recently leading Wells Fargo’s Distribution Finance team. Van Wagoner announced his retirement from Wells Fargo this month. During his tenure with the company, Van Wagoner was a critical player in growing the robust marine lending team, which now serves thousands of dealers and manufacturers.

His experience includes working at GE Capital, ITT Commercial Finance and Deutsche Financial Services, Chrysler First Wholesale Credit, and Westinghouse Credit. He has served on many committees dedicated to marine industry improvement, including dealer and manufacturer councils and Grow Boating. He was recognized with the Marine Industry Service Award from the National Marine Bankers Association in 2008.

Van Wagoner is a member of the NMMA and Leadership Alliance, which participates in Boating Industry magazine’s annual selection of the Top 100 dealers in America.

In 1997, Mr. Robert (Bob) Hammond, founder of Glastron Boats and a renowned industry pioneer, made a donation to the Foundation for Recreational Boating Safety, Education and Environmental Awareness to establish an annual award recognizing individuals who have helped grow and protect the industry through advocacy and demonstrated dedication to the long-term health of recreational boating – achieving greater sales, stopping unwanted government regulations or seeking needed government regulation, or otherwise helping and benefiting the entire marine industry as distinct from building one’s own. The Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award was created and is presented annually during the American Boating Congress.