NSBC Names Brunswick Corporation’s, Veronica Floyd, to the Boating Safety Hall of Fame
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2023) - The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), a national catalyst for recreational boating safety, inducted Veronica into the Boating Safety Hall of Fame, the organization’s most prestigious award recognizing those who provided vital leadership in making our waterways safer throughout their career. Floyd was honored at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit in Little Rock, Ark. on April 16, 2023.
Floyd has been a tireless advocate for the marine industry for more than four decades and has interacted and worked with many associations, organizations, and coalitions such as the American League of Anglers and Boaters, American Sailing Association, BoatU.S. Foundation, National Marine Manufacturers’ Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, National Safe Boating Council, U.S. Coast Guard, and more.
“Veronica’s public policy work has shaped the marine industry over the last 40 years,” said Robert Newsome, chair of the National Safe Boating Council. “Her leadership and advocacy on issues such as access to water, ethanol, right to repair, and more will have a positive impact on boaters for generations to come. Veronica – welcome to the Hall of Fame!”
Floyd retired from Brunswick Corporation in 2022 after a 40-year career. As a past chair of the National Safe Boating Council, she spearheaded the production of a book, Modern History of Recreational Boating, exploring the development and modern advancements in recreational boating safety.
“Veronica exemplifies the passion for boating safety that the National Safe Boating Council looks for in a Boating Safety Hall of Fame inductee,” said Peg Phillips, executive director of the National Safe Boating Council. “She has worked tirelessly in the best interests of the recreational boating safety and marine industries.”
Floyd was a founding member of the American League of Anglers and Boaters, she was a leader in the creation and funding of the Wallop/Breaux Trust Fund growing it from $30 million in 1982 to over $700 million today. As ALAB chair in 1998, she managed a substantial reauthorization and expansion of the fund.
She played a key role in the repeal of the boat luxury and diesel fuel taxes, as well as successful annual efforts to ensure that the federal Research & Development Tax Credit is extended. She successfully worked on getting a 5-year net operating loss carryback relief for all companies for tax years 2008 and 2009 that aided OEMs with much needed tax dollars during the last recession.
Floyd also managed Brunswick Corporation’s federal PAC, The Brunswick Good Government Fund and established Brunswick’s Government Affairs website for employees. This site includes information on critical issues of importance to Brunswick employees and companies, grassroots tools, and PAC information.
The NSBC’s Boating Safety Hall of Fame was established in 1995 and recognizes individuals who have made, or continue to generate, substantial and lasting contributions toward the advancement of recreational boating safety. Learn more at https://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/about/boating-safety-hall-of-fame/.
Released April 25, 2023