Nancy Cueroni, 2024 Darlene Briggs award winner and former executive director of the National Marine Distributors Association, presented the award to Sweers.

The MRAA and Boating Industry present this award to honor the late Darlene Briggs, who was admired for her dedication to elevating women in the marine industry. The annual award recognizes an outstanding woman in the boating industry who is dedicated and committed to the advancement of women in the marine business.

Kim Sweers, managing partner of FB Marine Group, has been named the 2025 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year. Sweers accepted the honor, becoming the 39th recipient, during the Dealer Week Awards Luncheon on December 9, in Tampa, Florida.

FB Marine Group is a Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer and an MRAA-certified business in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Since 1999, Sweers has helped scale the business into a full-service dealership, offering a range of sales, brokerage, charter and service options.

Alongside growing the business, she is dedicated to investing in relationships, empowering others and being an authentic role model for the next generation of industry leaders.

“ To receive the Darlene Briggs Marine Woman

of the Year Award in Tampa, the place where I fought cancer and found my life’ s mission, is profoundly meaningful,” Sweers said.“ We rise higher when we rise together; competition divides, collaboration multiplies.”

Kim Sweers

In 2020, she founded Boat Boss Enterprises, a media platform and podcast celebrating the lifestyle of living, working and playing on the water. Boat Boss features boats and products and offers insights through interviews with top executives and influencers.

“ I urge you not to fear innovation – lead it,” Sweers said.“ Everyone has an obligation to contribute to our industry. Pay it forward and pull a

Co-founder of Skier’ s Choice to retire

Skier’ s Choice, manufacturer of Supra and Moomba boats, has announced that Co- Founder and Executive Vice President Rick Tinker will retire in spring 2026, concluding his 40-year career in the marine industry.

Rick Tinker

“ I am honored to have worked with such an incredible team at Skier’ s Choice, from our dedicated employees to our award-winning dealers, for going on 30 years,” said Tinker.“ During my journey here, our team has delivered over 50,000 Supra and Moomba boats to consumers worldwide. I cannot thank our passionate owners enough for allowing us to be a part of their boating experience.”

Tinker, one of three founders of Skier’ s Choice in the late 1990s, has led the company as both executive vice president and president. He served as the primary lead on the acquisition of the Supra and Moomba brands from United Marine of Tennessee. Under his stewardship, both brands have earned 20 consecutive Customer Satisfaction Index Awards.

Before co-founding Skier’ s Choice, Tinker spent nearly a decade in the ski and wake boat industry, advancing through senior finance and operations roles.

www. boatingindustry. com november / december 2025

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