In January, five new members joined NMEA’s Board of Directors, bringing the total roster to 14. All Board members serve three-year terms. We asked the new officers to tell us about their professional experiences in the marine electronics industry and what they hope to accomplish in their new positions.
Allen Schneider - Manufacturer Member Partner & Vice President - SI-TEX Marine Electronics - Riverhead, NY
2023 marked my 50th year in the marine electronics industry, having started a summer job as an apprentice at a marine electronics dealership in 1973 while a high school junior. I worked there for four years and learned about all aspects of marine electronics, including installations, applications, troubleshooting and sales.
In October 1977, I was hired by George Lariviere at EPSCO in Westwood, MA, as the New England Regional Manager for EPSCO. Back then regional managers had to have very strong technical abilities and were expected to train the dealers on the latest technical advancements and help troubleshoot any problems that came up. While at EPSCO I worked in all areas of the Eastern United States and visited just about every marine electronics dealership east of the Mississippi at the time. Eventually, I relocated to the EPSCO office in New Orleans and was responsible for the Gulf of Mexico workboat and the Mississippi River towboat markets.
In 198I, I moved back to the Northeast, taking over as the General Manager of a marine electronics shop back in my hometown of Hampton Bays, NY. In 1984, I was hired to be the General Manager of Anchor Marine Electronics and relocated to the Boston area.
In 1985, Ted Bodtmann hired me to be the Northeast Regional Manager for SI-TEX Marine Electronics. I worked with all the SI-TEX dealers and distributors in the Northeast for 13 years. In 1998, I was hired by David Parkinson at Simrad Kongsberg as their Northeast Regional Manager, selling their full range of high-end marine electronics and their sophisticated marine electronics for the commercial fishing industry. When Navico purchased Simrad, I then added the B&G, Northstar and Lowrance product lines to my sales responsibilities.
In 2009, I rejoined SI-TEX Marine Electronics as a Partner and Vice President in the business, responsible for product development and marketing.
As a Manufacturer Member of the Board, I look forward to doing what I can to strengthen and move the marine electronics industry forward.
Tom Milanette - Manufacturer Member Sr. Regional Sales Manager, Maritime - Teledyne FLIR - Hudson, NH
I grew up in New Hampshire and have been around the water and on boats as long as I can remember. Boating (and fishing) have always been a passion of mine. I graduated from the US Naval Academy with a BS degree in General Science and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. I was on active duty with the Marines until 1999, and then moved back to New England where I remained in the Marine Corps Reserves for several more years while I began my career in the commercial marine electronics industry.
I joined the sales team at Northstar Technologies (Marine Electronics) in Acton, MA, in 2000, where I held the positions of Regional Sales Representative, Product Manager and, ultimately, Director of OEM Sales after Northstar was acquired by Brunswick and became Brunswick New Technologies (BNT). I left BNT/Northstar in 2006 and joined the team at FLIR Systems in North Billerica, MA, where I was tasked to help start up the commercial maritime business unit for FLIR’s thermal camera technology. I was very familiar with FLIR’s technology from my time in the Marine Corps and excited to help introduce the technology to the commercial maritime industry. I have been with FLIR (now Teledyne FLIR) for 17 years and have held a variety of sales positions during my time here. I really enjoy working closely with our dealers, distributors, OEMs, and integration partners across the country. I have always admired the NMEA and I am really excited to join the board. After 23 years in the marine electronics industry, I am hopeful I can help the NMEA continue to provide beneficial, relevant guidance and resources for its members. I consider myself very fortunate to have spent over two decades in this great industry and look forward to doing my part for an organization I believe in.
Michael Reimer - Master Dealer Member CEO - International Marine - Boynton Beach, FL
I am the CEO of International Marine located in West Palm Beach, FL. After retiring from a 30-year fire service career at a young age, I was itching to get into something I would really enjoy. I have a Masters Degree in Business and wanted not only to put that to use but also follow my passion. Being a technical person at heart, I formed International Marine in 2009. Now we have grown to 12 technicians with eight CMETS and ABYC Master Technicians on staff.
As most of you are aware, sunny south Florida boating both commercially and recreationally is a pastime and passion for many. I quickly learned that the marine industry was a challenge and wanted to make sure our staff was trained and equipped to provide customer service like no other. We embraced every educational opportunity from NMEA, ABYC and each manufacturer. I have found this education to be invaluable to our technicians in the field.
My two goals for my position on the Board are to listen to each and every dealer and represent them well, work with NMEA management and expand educational opportunities for each marine technician. I feel 2024 will be an exciting time and I am always available if you need assistance or would like to share ideas so we can bring them forward.
Freddie Fowler - Trade Member Marine Services Instructor - Manatee Technical College - Bradenton, FL
I am honored to have been selected as a member of the NMEA Board of Directors. As a Board member, I intend to assist NMEA in the continued development, maintenance, and publishing of the highest quality standards, doctrine, and practices for our members and industry to follow.
Before shifting my career to the marine industry, I was a career United States Marine. In 2012, I retired as a Master Sergeant, E8 after 20 honorable years of service and had served in three wars: Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. As a Marine, I was an Artillery Forward Observer, MOS 0861. My given call sign or nickname is “Silverback.” Like the Marine Corps, the marine industry is small, and we do more with less. It was this uniqueness, the daily challenges you are faced with, and the attention to detail to be successful that drew me into the marine field. It never disappoints me and being part of something bigger than myself is what keeps me in this industry.
Since my retirement, I have graduated from Manatee Technical College, Marine Services Technology, and have worked for some of the leading boat manufacturers. I was trained by some of the greatest boat builders in the industry, starting as an assembly installer and working my way up the ranks to production manager. Other positions I have held are electronics installer, lead rigger, and electrician. Though I am well versed and experienced in motor technology, my strong areas are electronics and electrical installation on center console boats. My certifications are ABYC Marine Electrician Technician, ABYC Marine Systems Technician, NMEA Advanced MEI, and Advanced NMEA 2000. I am working to achieve an ABYC Master Technician Certification and a degree in Information Technology. After completing my ABYC Master Technician, I plan to complete certifications in Yamaha, Suzuki, and Mercury.
Currently, I am a marine services instructor at Manatee Technical College in Bradenton, FL. As an instructor, I have the unique opportunity to teach and work with our future technicians. It is a humbling experience every day for me to work with some of the most inspiring students who will be taking the reins to lead our industry into this new era of boating and technology. Our industry needs the best-trained technicians that it can provide, and I am honored to be a small part of it.
Tim Banaszak - Trade Member Owner - Southeast Navigators, LLC - Juneau, AK
Fifty years in Southeast Alaska provided me with opportunities to have parallel careers in information technology and the maritime world as a relief captain, commercial fisherman, supporting tour fleets, and for my enjoyment. Like flying, boating is a way of life in Alaska. Southeast Alaska is a coastal region of communities connected by air and sea, including the state capital with no road access.
As a teenager, I credit many mentors who provided limitless opportunities to develop interests in electronics, operating boats, commercial fishing, logging, and essential passenger and freight transport. In my teens, I skippered commercial fishing boats. I earned my Extra Class Ham Radio License and installed electronic systems on vessels and shoreside across the frequency spectrum below and above the waterline. My structured career began as an electronics support technician doing bench component-level repair before transitioning to information technology, building local and wide-area networks across Alaska using terrestrial, satellite, and microwave communications, implementing cybersecurity and ultimately managing IT organizations.
Recently, I have enjoyed connecting with NMEA, the membership, updating my NMEA, ABYC, FCC, and USCG certifications, and spending as much time as possible on the water supporting the marine industry.
Hope to accomplish: Increase the West Coast NMEA presence, influence and participation through awareness, training and certification. Expand the secure development and adoption of OneNet. Improve passenger and vessel safety by connecting with current and future members, facilitating discussions, building consensus, and developing NMEA recommendations.
