Thom Dammrich, the president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, will be joining Mad Mariner as a blogger beginning today.

The NMMA is a trade association representing the recreational boating industry. The association’s 1,600 members produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States, and Thom has been at the helm since 1999.

That makes Thom an insider, and we editors want to hear what he has to say.

Thom also serves on the boards at the the American Sportfishing Association, Sail America and Chairs the boards of the American Recreation Coaliton and Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. As president of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations, he also brings an international perspective. Thom holds an MBA, a masters in accounting and an undergraduate degree in economics.

Thom will offer an industry perspective – often using numbers to make his points – in a blog that is written for average boaters. Though he delivers speeches nationwide and writes regularly for the trade press, this is the first time that Thom has penned a regular column for consumers, and we are proud to host his blog at Mad Mariner.

We did agree to some rules. Mad Mariner is an independent magazine, and as such we have no plans to join the NMMA. Thom understood. We also insisted that Thom be paid for his work, like all writers at Mad Mariner. Thom requested that his fees be donated to the Grow Boating Initiative’s Rising Tide Fund, which promotes boating through programs such as product and dealership certification, water access projects and the Discover Boating consumer marketing and advertising campaign. We editors understood.

Mad Mariner is proud to offer 10 unique blogs that deliver a wide diversity of opinion. Each addresses different aspects of boating, and brings a new perspective to our website. We think Thom will be a fine addition to this mix and we welcome him aboard.