After 23 years at the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.), Margaret Bonds Podlich has stepped down as president. During her time as president, Podlich advocated for BoatU.S. members and their interests, earning recognition along the way.
Podlich first joined BoatU.S. in 1993 as the director of the Clean Water Trust, which has since become part of the non-profit BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Many of the Clean Marina programs developed under Podlich are fundamental today to managing a modern boating facility. When she was BoatU.S. vice president of government affairs, Podlich is credited with helping pass the 2008 Federal Clean Boating Act and collaborating with the recreational boating industry to promote mutually beneficial policy.
Over the years, Podlich has received many accolades for her work. In 2014, she was an honoree of the Darlene Briggs Marine Industry Woman of the Year Award. She participated on the U.S. Coast Guard National Boating Safety Advisory Committee. She was also honored with the 2012 NASBLA Award by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
Not only have Podlich’s professional accomplishments been impressive, but so have her personal boating efforts. In 2014, she took the top women’s radial trophy at the U.S. Laser Masters Championships and the Atlantic Coast Championship. She also competed on the 2006/2007 U.S. sailing team, which vied for a slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
[Photo courtesy of Bob Osterholt]
