COLUMBUS, OH - Ashtabula resident watercraft officer Matt Zlocki has been named Ohio Watercraft Officer of the Year for 2001 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Zlocki, age 40, is assigned to the states Ashtabula watercraft office.
This honor reflects officer Zlockis strong work ethic and dedication to boating safety, said Jeff Hoedt, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft.
Zlocki was selected as Officer of the Year in part for his record as a boating education course instructor with the division and with the Spirit of America Foundation. Additionally, he annually performs more than 300 watercraft inspections and leads northeast Ohio watercraft officers in the number of boating education courses taught and hours of instruction provided.
Zlocki patrols Lake Eries central basin in the Ashtabula area. Prior to his assignment in Ashtabula, Zlocki patrolled Lake Erie and was assigned to the divisions Cleveland office.
He joined the Division of Watercraft in 1988 following service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Later as a Coast Guard reserve, Zlocki was placed on active duty where he served in Operation Desert Storm.
He is a 1980 graduate of Nordonia High School in Macedonia.
The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers Ohios boating program. The division oversees boat registration and titling operations, enforces boating laws on Ohios waterways, educates the public, and provides funding to local communities for education, enforcement and boating facilities. These programs are user-funded through boat registration fees and through a portion of state and federal motor fuel taxes.
For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882