39 MARCH 2026 tee. We cranked out so many products for this organiza- tion, many that you may or may not know came from the Safety and Security Committee. There’s a real commitment building through businesses, starting with the safety. Hospitality is important and regu- lations are important, but don’t try to cut corners on safety. You start with that and everything will grow from there. I started in the business officially in 1977 as a deckhand. I’ve been a license bearer since ’81, we had two boats back then. We have 10 vessels now, docks all over the Chicago River, multiple K-boats, we run water taxis, and things like that. I credit PVA for all of that because I learned so much here over those decades that we applied to what we do every day. If you’re not a member of a committee, join one, because that’s the best way to see the true value in this organization. Whether it’s regulatory, legislative, safety and security, membership, whatever it is, get involved and participate. I was president of PVA in 2008. I was involved with the group with Gary and several others putting together the ASP. Also, the Green Waters Program was a result of my year as president; it was completed the next year. Lake: I am pleased to introduce Gary Frommelt, vice president of development for Manthey Hospitality. I’m sure most of you know Gary. He’s worked for multiple different companies within PVA. All these gentlemen are past presidents of PVA. Frommelt: I may be the odd man out here because I am not an owner. I’m an employee. I always have been. I grew up in a little river town on the upper Mississippi. My grandfather ran a button factory and plastic buttons wiped out the family business, so I had to go a different direction. The management system governing the manufacture of this product is ISO: 9001:2015 certified. BUILT SMARTER TO WORK HARDER GRIDCOOLER® KEEL COOLER 1.906.863.5553 | fernstrum.com/fh BUILT TO TAKE IT ON © 2026 R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All rights reserved. FERNSTRUM ® and GRIDCOOLER ® are registered trademarks of R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All other trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners.
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