NMMA appoints vice president of government relations
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has appointed Jacky Usyk as vice president of government relations, a newly created role within the association.
Based at NMMA’s Washington, D.C. headquarters, Usyk — a Capitol Hill veteran — will oversee an integrated state and federal lobbying team, managing policy and legislative initiatives at both national and state levels for the association, which represents boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers in North America.
Usyk’s responsibilities include federal and state operations, advocacy and political engagement. Usyk will lead the association’s industry partnerships and coalition efforts and will report to Robyn Boerstling, senior vice president of government relations. She joined NMMA in early February 2025.
Usyk has 12 years of experience in policy development and has held senior positions in both the US House of Representatives and Senate. She previously served as a senior advisor to US Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for US Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), focusing on health care, tax, trade, and economic development policy.
“We are excited to welcome Jacky to the NMMA team with her deep experience and leadership in advocacy, coalition-building and shaping policy,” says Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president and CEO. “Jacky brings a proactive, solutions-focused approach to our industry, having successfully guided highly complex policy negotiations in bipartisan environments throughout her career.”
Usyk’s role is part of an expanded government relations structure at NMMA, which includes newly defined teams: The federal and state affairs, political advocacy and engagement team, led by Usyk, will focus on access, infrastructure, sustainability, and manufacturing policies. She will also oversee the industry’s BoatPAC and American Boating Congress. Team members include Ben Murray, director of state government relations, along with Jesse McArdell, Sam Romano, and Emily Villanueva, who manage government relations across different regions. Erica Crocker serves as senior director of legislative advocacy and political engagement, with Cameron Nelson in a new role as manager of political advocacy and federal operations. Joshua Jamison continues as manager of federal government relations, with a focus on the House of Representatives.
The public policy and regulatory affairs team will be co-led by Jeff Wasil, now vice president of environmental compliance and marine technology, and Clay Crabtree, who has been promoted to senior director of public policy. They will oversee policy development in collaboration with NMMA members, coalition partners, and internal teams. The team includes Lauren Hyland as senior manager of industry policy engagement, while John McKnight continues in a part-time capacity focusing on environmental, health, and safety regulations.
The public affairs team, led by Molly Drenkard as vice president of public affairs, will manage messaging and communication related to NMMA’s policy and government relations work. NMMA will begin a search for both a public affairs director and a manager. Bryan Spadaro will continue to report to Boerstling as senior director of advocacy strategy and integration.
“Expanding and strengthening our government relations work has been the NMMA board’s top priority and this reorganisation represents a response to growing industry needs for proactive engagement as marine manufacturers and associated businesses face a rapidly changing policy and regulatory landscape,” says Hugelmeyer. “With this strong team of experts at the helm of our work across public policy, regulatory, public, federal and state affairs, as well as political advocacy and engagement, we are committed to serving our members’ businesses on the state and federal level to ensure the growth and success of the recreational boating industry.”
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