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The NMMA today honored John Thommen, Founder and CEO, Ocean Marketing, Inc., with the 2019 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 honored to present John Thommen with the 2019 Alan J. Freedman Award for his dedication to the marine industry and his pursuit to deliver quality, safe products to the marine market,” noted Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “John’s unwavering commitment to marketing and providing instruction on the proper use of marine products to dealers, retailers and end users has resulted in better safe boating practices, and is a testament to his lasting mark on the industry.”

 

Thommen founded Ocean Marketing, Inc., in 1981, a well-respected marine accessory marketing agency headquartered in Guilford, CT. Thommen and his group provide valuable marketing support for their manufacturing clients, and the company has become one of the premier marine sales agencies in the United States under John’s leadership.

 

Thommen is also the founder and owner of Ocean Accessories, LLC, which manufactures, imports and distributes marine accessories. Ocean Accessories markets products throughout North America and 22 foreign countries and has warehouses in Guilford, CT and Kent, England.

 

Thommen served on the board of the National Marine Distributors Association for eight years and is a past Director of the National Marine Representatives Association, and a past President of the United States Marine Safety Association and has worked on various NMMA show committees.

 

He is a Life Trustee of the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation and a former trustee of the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI—a trade school dedicated to the education of students in the restoration of classic and traditional vessels. He is also a past trustee of The Shoreline Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that works to bring recreation and education to the Connecticut shoreline communities.

 

Thommen is currently a member of the New York Yacht Club, Sachem’s Head Yacht Club, and Guilford Yacht Club. He is also Chairman of Guilford, CT Harbor Management Commission, a town committee dedicated to the stewardship of Guilford’s shoreline.

 

For more information about NMMA’s Alan J. Freedman Award and to nominate a deserving leader for 2020, please contact Rachel Harmon, [email protected], or visit http://www.nmma.org/industry-awards/alan-freedman-award.