NMMA has made key appointments including that of Jacky Usyk to the newly created role of vice president of government relations. The association has also unveiled a new Government relations structure.
Jacky will be based in NMMA’s Washington, DC headquarters and will oversee an integrated state and federal lobbying team.
Jacky’s responsibilities will span both federal and state operations as well as advocacy and political engagement, to help guide the political engagement and advocacy programs that rely upon industry, coalition, and stakeholder partnerships.
She will report to Robyn Boerstling, senior vice president of government relations.
Jacky joins the association with 12 years’ experience of shaping national policy and serving in senior leadership roles for both House and Senate offices.
“We are excited to welcome Jacky to the NMMA team with her deep experience and leadership in advocacy, coalition-building and shaping policy,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president and CEO.
“Jacky brings a proactive, solutions-focused approach to our industry, having successfully guided highly complex policy negotiations in bipartisan environments throughout her career.”
Government relations structure
NMMA has also promoted other key staff and unveiled a new government relations structure.
Jacky will lead the Federal and State Affairs, Political Advocacy and Engagement team and the BoatPAC and American Boating Congress.
The team includes Ben Murray, director of state government relations, managing Jesse McArdell, who was recently promoted to senior manager of Midwest government relations, Sam Romano, manager of Northeast policy and engagement and Emily Villanueva, manager of Western region policy and engagement.
Erica Crocker serves as senior director of legislative advocacy and political engagement with Cameron Nelson in a new role as manager of political advocacy and federal operations.
Joshua Jamison, manager of federal government relations, will maintain the association’s focus on the House of Representatives side of Congress.
Policy engagement
The Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs team will be co-led by Jeff Wasil, who has been promoted to vice president of environmental compliance and marine technology, and Clay Crabtree, who has been promoted to senior director of public policy.
Lauren Hyland will join the team as senior manager of industry policy engagement.
Molly Drenkard leads the Public Affairs team as vice president of public affairs, with enhanced integration across the government relations department.
NMMA is to begin a search for both public affairs director and manager level positions.
Bryan Spadaro will continue to report directly to Boerstling as senior director of advocacy strategy and integration.
“Expanding and strengthening our government relations work has been the NMMA board’s top priority and this reorganization represents a response to growing industry needs for proactive engagement as marine manufacturers and associated businesses face a rapidly changing policy and regulatory landscape,” said Frank Hugelmeyer.
“With this strong team of experts at the helm of our work across public policy, regulatory, public, federal and state affairs, as well as political advocacy and engagement, we are committed to serving our members’ businesses on the state and federal level to ensure the growth and success of the recreational boating industry.”
