The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced today that it hired Jacky Usyk as vice president of government relations. Based in Washington, D.C., Usyk will oversee an integrated state and federal lobbying team and take on a newly created leadership role within the association.

“We are excited to welcome Jacky to the NMMA team, with her deep experience and leadership in advocacy, coalition-building and shaping policy,” NMMA president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer said in a statement. “Jacky brings a proactive, solutions-focused approach to our industry, having successfully guided highly complex policy negotiations in bipartisan environments throughout her career.”

As NMMA further emphasizes issue-responsive, proactive advocacy, the association unveiled a three-pronged, enhanced government relations structure and promoted key staff.

Led by Usyk, the Federal and State Affairs, Political Advocacy and Engagement team drives the boating industry’s access, infrastructure, sustainability and manufacturing agenda in the nation’s capital and at state houses. To ensure the proactive development of positions and policies across the boating industry, the Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs team will be co-led by Jeff Wasil and Clay Crabtree. With a focus on driving industry messaging and priorities across the association’s public policy and government relations work, Molly Drenkard leads the Public Affairs team as vice president of public affairs.