Bill Bueckert
Bill owned and operated Mister ‘B’ Marineland in Winnipeg until his retirement; Bill was the original driving force to organize the local Dealer(s). Bill and his Family loved the Lake Life; presently today Bill Daughter Cindy is still active in the Industry!
Bill Marr JR
The Marr Family original started in the Marine Industry in 1957. In 1983 Bill Jr. joined Marr’s Leisure Products and Manufacturing; in the time that Bill worked in the Family Business he became a Director of the MMDA and a Director of National Marine Distributors Association. Presently today Bill and his Family still enjoy the Lake Life!
George Makichuk
George loved all of his years in the Marine Industry. Along with George’s dedication to his Family and Co-workers he always found time to be a big supporter of MMDA.
Jim Flood
Jim is one of the founding Directors of MMDA. He has sat on the Board of Directors for 27 years. During this time has chaired various committees including the Boat Show, Finance and Governance. He is passionate about promoting the boating industry and lobbying for improvements in launching and docking facilities at both the local level and as a long time MMPDA representative on the Discover Boating Committee. Jim has coordinated and managed a very successful Mid-Canada Boat Show for 20 years and set up the original Mid-Canada Power Sport Show in 2013. He stepped down from the managing the Shows after 2013 to commit more time to his own business, Bowline Yachts Ltd, which he founded in 1979.
Larry Wadge
If you stop at AVO Marine you will find Larry busy assisting his customer(s) and the Staff. Larry spent many years supporting and attending meetings for the MMDA, until his Daughter Jessica became a MMPDA Director.
David Dusome
Presently today David is still active in the Marine Industry; in 1986 when the MMDA was incorporated, David was the Branch Manager in Winnipeg for Outboard Marine Corporation.
Scott Wallace
Scott Wallace was very active with MCMDA until he shut down the Marine Division of Overhead Door & Marine. Presently today Scott still loves his Family time at the Lake and is very active with Overhead Door.
Maurice Dufort
Maurice Dufort was not only involved with MMDA, he also ran Dufort Industries with Son’s Gil and Claude. Presently today Maurice son Claude sits on MMPDA Board.
Dave Van Dam
Dave Van Dam was the owner of Pat’s Outboard Marine, a dynasty in it’s day, in Kenora, Ontario. Even though Dave did not take a director’s role on the board; he was very instrumental in getting the MMDA Board and Boat Show up and running with his strong support of the Marine Industry. Today Dave is enjoying his Family and Grandkids along with being fully engaged in Avionics http://www.vanairhovercraft.com/; this adventure has allowed Dave to travel the Globe selling World Class Hover Crafts that are manufactured in Kenora, Ontario.
Rene St. Onge
Rene and his Family owned and operated Rene’s Marine for 23 years in Winnipeg. Rene was the President of the MMDA for many years, while the group was growing and exploring New Direction. Rene and Brian Ans were always working on future projects for the MMDA. Rene was lucky his Life/Business Partner Denise was always at the Dealership; which allowed Rene to be involved in the MMDA daily activities and to enjoy his second love, racing! Today Rene is Semi-Retired and still keeping his hand in the Technical side of the marine business.
Bill Watson
Bill was the President of Consolidated Turf and just retired after 45 years in the industry. He was the Treasurer for the MMDA for many years looking after our financial growth. He was very smart keeping a close eye on expenses and guided our investments for a very positive return. He was instrumental in putting together our first Education Project where Red River College has enjoyed the donation of test tanks and tools from MMDA for many years!
Brian Ans
Brian started off working with Jim Flood on the boat show and then took over the Executive Secretary position for MMDA. Brian took MMDA on a Marine Industry journey that would change boating in Canada. Brian put the MMDA together with the Water Craft Training Centre to train consumers on how to operate a Personal Water Craft. Brian wasn’t happy with just training the consumer, so he went to work putting together the first boat in Western Canada that was setup to train everyone on how to operate a boat. With a joint venture including Invader Boats of Winnipeg, Mercruiser, EZ Loader Trailers and a Lund package from Rond’s Marine; MMDA (Brian) was off educating consumers and corporate employees that worked on the water. While all of this was going on, the Water Craft Training Centre approached Brian to assist with writing the first boat training manual. After board approval; Brian, Jim Flood, Rick Bueckert and Ian Cummer put together a team of local technical writers assisted by Prolific Printing. Many hours were spent covering all of the safety details for the manual. The manual was the first Transport Canada /Canadian Coast Guard approved training manual in Canada. This New Manual allowed MMDA and the Water Craft Training Centre to educate consumers as well as experienced Mariners so they could write a test to obtain their Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Job well done Brian!
Ed Rondeau
Ed Rondeau was the original owner of Rond’s Marine and was a pivotal participant in forming the MMDA. Ed spent his life dedicated to the betterment of the marine industry.
Garth Bromley
Garth brought to the MMPDA his vast knowledge of the recreational industry and his Presidential experiences with RVDA of Canada. Garth today is still busy working with his son’s at Rond’s Marine and Transcona Trailer Sales. If Garth and his wife are not out traveling in the cold months south, you’ll probably find them snowmobiling or boating somewhere in Canada enjoying their passion of recreational industry!
Bea Heard
Bea was the first Lady President for MMDA; she came into the position with lots of enthusiasm to energize the board. Bea and her husband Ken were the Dealer Principals of West Hawk Lake Marine and were responsible for introducing the Manitoba market to Malibu Surf Boats & Regal Luxury Boats. Both of these boat lines are still available today in Manitoba.
Ray Mariash
Ray was an industry veteran when he started on the MMDA board. He brought all of his experiences from Outboard Marine Corporation and spent several years as the Treasure for MMDA. As the industry started to change, Ray and his wife Diane started Outboard Rebore and have never quit working hard to supply the industry with quality parts and service. If you don’t catch Ray at the shop, you might find him boating.
