News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 1999

STATE WATERCRAFT CHIEF TO LEAD REGIONAL BOATING ADMINISTRATORS' ASSOCIATION

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft Chief Jeff Hoedt was recently elected president of the Northern Association of Boating Administrators.

Hoedt, who has headed the ODNR Division of Watercraft since 1996, assumed the one-year term in September 1999. NABA, a regional affiliate of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, is a professional organization consisting of state and provincial boating program administrators in 24 northern states and Canadian provinces.

While heading the organization, Hoedt hopes to develop a coordinated approach to recreational boating safety. "There are a lot of good programs and methods addressing boating safety in this region that we can share with one another," said Hoedt. "I intend to work with the other boating administrators to identify critical issues we all should be addressing to make boating laws consistent throughout the country."

Hoedt also noted that Ohio will host the NABA regional conference next July in Toledo.

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For Further Information Contact:
Dennis Evans, Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695