Robert Newsome is the Chief Growth Officer and Senior Vice President for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), responsible for overall organizational growth & expansion, mergers & acquisitions, membership, member engagement, business intelligence, sponsorship, industry relations, partners & coalitions, workforce development, boating safety, the Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program, and product certification (NMMA Certified) programs for boats, yachts, PWC, marine oils and boat trailers. Robert also serves as President of the NMMA Foundation for Recreational Boating Safety and Education. His work with the organization also includes extensive experience with prior oversight of human resources, technology, business operations and governance.

Robert is the past Chairperson of the National Safe Boating Council and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). Robert is also the past Chairperson of the Marine Industry Retirement Plan Committee and served on the National Safe Boating Advisory Committee (NBSAC) by appointment of the Secretary of Homeland Security. He has deep experience in representing the marine industry in standards development and safety issues through numerous committees of ABYC, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Robert is a leading author and presenter on numerous industry, economic, boating experience and safety topics prevalent to today’s recreational marine industry, and serves as a spokesperson for the Discover Boating program. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the

University of Notre Dame. He continues his education on operational and technology strategic excellence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Robert is an avid power boater, fisherman and a life-long sailor on Lake Michigan and the lakes of the Midwest.