Current president has led Chicago-based group for nearly two decades

Dammrich

Thom Dammrich will retire as president of the $55 million-revenue National Marine Manufacturers Association in 2019, ending two decades as head of the Chicago-based group.

NMMA announced Monday that Dammrich will step down on Sept. 30, 2019. The outgoing president first joined the association in 1998 and is credited by the group in helping create a united voice for recreational boating in both the lobbying and economic arenas.

"There isn't anyone in the past twenty years who has done more to unite the marine industry than Thom Dammrich," Joan Maxwell, a member of NMMA's executive committee, said in a statement. "He conducts himself with an exceptional level of integrity, and his tireless, passionate advocacy and promotion of the NMMA and the entire marine industry has helped us to grow and prosper, and positioned the industry for success well into the future."

Before joining NMMA, Dammrich was president of IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries. He also is a former senior vice president with the Illinois Bankers Association.

Dammrich has a master's degree in business accounting and an MBA, both from DePaul University.

NMMA plans to have Dammrich's successor start at the association July 1, 2019, and transition into the leadership role Oct. 1. A search committee composed NMMA board members plans to hire a recruitment firm this fall.