Kris Carroll Honored with 2018 Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award at 2018 American Boating Congress

The Foundation for Recreational Boating Safety, Education and Environmental Awareness announces that Grady-White Boats President Kris Carroll is a recipient of the 2018 Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award for extraordinary service and commitment to advocacy on behalf of the recreational boating industry. Kris was honored at a ceremony during the American Boating Congress (ABC) in Washington, D.C., on May 11. 

Kris Carroll joined Grady-White Boats in 1975, and has held several positions including vice-president of the departments of Engineering, Information Systems and Accounting in 1986. Promoted to company president in 1993, Kris continues to lead Grady-White in delivering the vision “Together, Delivering the Ultimate Boating Experience” to customers. 

Kris has dedicated her career to the betterment of the recreational boating industry, sitting on several marine industry boards and committees, including the National Marine Manufacturers of America (NMMA) Board and NMMA’s Boat Manufacturers Division Board. Early champion of the BoatPAC and industry advocacy, Kris fought for dozens of years to ensure that issues vital to recreational boating are front and center with the nation’s decision makers. Kris was also honored with the Marine Retailers Association Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year award in 2002.

“The persistent dedication and commitment of time Kris has contributed to our industry over the past two decades is immeasurable, from her championship of BoatPAC to helping grow BoatPAC to the largest levels and broadest number of contributors ever,” says NMMA president Thom Dammrich. “Her consensus building approach has helped to unify the industry, build ABC to the important legislative event it is today, and contribute to reform needed on a local and national level to benefit the boating industry and the country’s boaters and anglers. I’m honored to present this award to one of the hardest working people in our industry.” 

In 1997, Mr. Robert (Bob) Hammond, founder of Glastron Boats and a renowned industry pioneer, made a donation to the NMMA Foundation to establish an annual award that recognizes individuals who have helped grow and protect the industry through advocacy–stopping unwanted government regulations or seeking needed government regulation –and who have demonstrated dedication to the long-term health of the entire marine industry. The Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award is presented annually during the American Boating Congress.

The Foundation for Recreational Boating Safety, Education and Environmental Awareness is dedicated to educating the public about important issues impacting the recreational boating industry.

About NMMA: The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading trade organization for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, marine accessories and gear used by millions of boaters in North America. The association serves its members and their sales and service networks by improving the business environment for recreational boating including providing domestic and international sales and marketing opportunities, reducing unnecessary government regulation, decreasing the cost of doing business, and helping grow boating participation. As the largest producer of boat and sport shows in the U.S., NMMA connects the recreational boating industry with the boating consumer year-round.

Grady-White Boats was founded in 1959 and builds offshore outboard boats at its manufacturing plant in Greenville, NC. The company has been under continuous private ownership by NMMA Hall of Fame member Eddie Smith and the Smith family since 1968. Grady-White welcomes visitors to the company’s award-winning factory to see first-hand the process the company uses to create the very best family-and-fishing boats, and to meet the dedicated team that builds them.

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