Walstrom Marine Contributes to Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation

Walstrom Marine, a marine business with five locations in northwest Michigan made a $10,000 contribution to the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation (RBIEF) in honor of their employee Brenda Andrews who lost her battle with COVID-19 earlier this year. With the contribution, the Foundation will create an annual named scholarship in her memory.

RBIEF has one other named Scholarship for Gregory P. Krueger, who was a founding member of the Foundation. Andrews was a 2019 recipient from the Foundation, which she utilized to earn her degree in Accounting. “Brenda was a phenomenal employee at Walstrom Marine. She was passionate about the industry and grew to love boating, having recently purchased her first boat,” said Tom Ervin, president of Walstrom Marine. “Walstrom Marine is honored to contribute to the future of the industry in Brenda’s name through RBIEF.”

The RBIEF scholarship fund was developed in 1986 by the Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) with the mission: advancing opportunities for scholarships and training benefiting Michigan’s marine industry. Since its inception the foundation has distributed $391,117 to deserving recipients. “On behalf of the RBIEF Board, we thank Walstrom Marine for their generous contribution. We’re happy to honor Brenda’s legacy and contribute to the education of marine professionals to better the entire industry,” said Michigan Boating Industries Association’s executive (MBIA) director Nicki Polan.

RBIEF is managed by the Michigan Boating Industries Association, the official, state-wide marine industry association which serves as the voice for Michigan’s $7.8 billion marine industry and the four million people who enjoy Michigan’s nearly one million registered boats. The MBIA is dedicated to the advancement, protection, and promotion of boating across Michigan. The MBIA manages two foundations: the Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation and the Michigan Clean Marina Foundation, and also produces three association-owned boat shows, the Progressive Detroit Boat Show at TCF Center, the Progressive Novi Boat Show in Novi, and the Progressive Metro Boat Show in Harrison Twp. The proceeds from these shows benefit boating in Michigan through MBIA programs and promotions.