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The NMMA today honored Giuseppe Carnevali, Founder and former CEO, Navionics, with the 2018 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who’ve made outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity and personal motivation. The award was presented during the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show’s annual Innovation Breakfast. 

“NMMA is proud to honor Giuseppe Carnevali with the Alan J. Freedman Award for his ingenuity and lifelong commitment to the marine industry, most notably his work to modernize marine navigation,” noted Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “Giuseppe changed how navigation is viewed and played a large role in shaping how modern mariners plot their on-water adventures.”

Giuseppe attained a Doctor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Genova in 1971, magna cum laude. After a stint in the Italian Navy, Giuseppe became the production manager of the prestigious Benetti Shipyard, and was the project manager for the construction of Nabila, the most sophisticated mega yacht of its time. He then launched a company that introduced the first CAD-CAM technology and computer graphics into Italian shipbuilding.

In the early '80s, Giuseppe realized that to survive he needed to invent something radically new, and by combining his extensive background in the boating and shipping industry with his skills as navigator and his experience with computer graphics, he came up with the world's first electronic charting device. In 1984, his company Navionics changed the way people navigate. Giuseppe’s invention of the Geonav chartplotter paved the way for today’s GPS devices.

Under Giuseppe’s leadership, Navionics has grown into the leader in electronic charting. It has the world’s largest privately held database of marine and lake charts, covering the salt waters of the entire planet as well as tens of thousands of lakes and rivers. Many of these charts have been developed through proprietary surveys done both in the field and with remote sensing, including satellite imagery and airborne laser scanners.

For more information about NMMA’s Alan J. Freedman Award and to nominate a deserving leader for 2019, please contact Rachel Harmon, project manager, consumer and trade events, [email protected], or visit http://www.nmma.org/industry-awards/alan-freedman-award.