Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Foundation Announces 2023 Scholarships and Educational Awards

Brielle, NJ – The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of their 2023 scholarships and educational awards. Since 2006, the MTA/NJ Education Foundation has awarded over $30,000 to deserving students and has provided over $10,000 towards marine education and training for members.  

The Automotive Training Center (ATC) in Warminster, Pennsylvania sponsored a half scholarship to their Marine Technician Program that the MTA/NJ administers and promotes. The recipient of the Automotive Training Center scholarship was Evan Cloud of Delran. Cloud is graduating from Delran High School and after his schooling at ATC, he hopes to develop his leadership and technical skills to eventually own his own marina.

There were three recipients selected to receive the MTA/NJ Boating Industry Scholarship, valued at $1,500. The MTA/NJ Boating Industry Scholarship is offered to a student pursuing a career in the recreational boating industry, as one of the goals of the MTA/NJ Foundation is to provide financial support dedicated to growing the recreational marine trades' workforce in New Jersey. The winners were Evan Cloud, Carson Perna of Brick, and Joshua Giresi of Forked River. Perna plans to become a Certified MasterTech with the goal of owning his own business. Giresi also aims to someday create his own business as a marine mechanic.

The MTA/NJ also awarded an outstanding student award for the purchase of tools for the trade to Ryan Hall from Point Pleasant Borough High School. Hall competed in SkillsUSA at the Atlantic City Boat Show and won a gold medal. He will be representing New Jersey at the National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia in June. Hall was hired at the boat show by Garden State Marina in Point Pleasant and is now working as a part of the Cooperative Education Experience program.

 “We are incredibly thankful to everyone who has contributed to and continues to support the MTA/NJ Education Foundation," stated MTA/NJ Executive Director, Melissa Danko. “Through the Foundation, we are able to support our members by providing scholarships and student awards as well as funding for education, training, and certifications to grow and expand our workforce. We hope to continue to grow the Foundation and further expand our support of the boating industry in New Jersey.”

The success of the MTA/NJ Foundation’s scholarship program is evident in the achievements of the past recipients. Chris Remaley of Colts Neck was the 2022 recipient of the ATC and MTA/NJ Boating Industry Scholarships and has been making a name for himself in the Marine Technology program at ATC. His instructor remarked, “Chris is a very motivated student and conducts himself as a professional. He excels in shop activities with minimal supervision. He can perform as a peer tutor for both theory and shop demonstrations. Chris will be a valuable asset for any marine employer in almost any position.”

The mission of the MTA/NJ Foundation is also supported by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) Foundation. The MTA/NJ was one of three associations to receive a $1,500 Technical Scholarship that enabled the Association to expand the scholarships offered this year.  

For more information about the MTA/NJ Foundation or to make a donation, please contact the MTA/NJ office at 732-292-1051; email: info@mtanj.org.

About the MTA/NJ

The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ), established in 1972, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, advancing, and protecting the recreational marine industry and waterways in the State of New Jersey. The MTA/NJ is dedicated to the interests of the industry for the benefit of its individual members and the consumers whom they serve. In addition to many accomplishments, the MTA/NJ produces two boat shows, the Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo held in September at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood and the New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo held in February at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center in Edison. The MTA/NJ proudly endorses the Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show.