MASSACHUSETTS MARINE TRADES EDUCATIONAL TRUST OVERVIEW
MMTET is a nonprofit foundation, approved by the IRS, which funds efforts to accomplish the educational goals of the Massachusetts Marine Trades. Currently Five trustees govern the foundation and the MMTA Educational Committee serves as an advisory panel for the Trust. Current MMTET initiatives include establishing an institution of higher learning for marine and environmental studies called the Ocean Campus Center, assisting in the establishment and continuance of marine technology programs on the high school and college levels across the commonwealth, and pursuing opportunities and events for getting more kids on the water. In addition, the MMTET awards scholarships to deserving individuals pursuing careers in the MA marine trades and awards grants to nonprofit youth boating programs in Massachusetts.
MMTET TRUSTEES
Ed Lofgren Chairman
Ed is the founder and Chairman of the Educational Trust. In addition Ed is a member of the Board of Directors of the Marine & Environmental Education Alliance (MEEA), a nonprofit dedicated to the establishment of THE OCEAN CAMPUS, a post-secondary school for marine and environmental technicians. Ed is also a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, serving as the Chair for the Education Committee. Ed is part owner and operator of 3A Marine Service, Inc., a Hingham, MA based boat dealership. He is a graduate of Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in history and government and a masters in international relations. He has taught in the Ma. Public schools system and on the university level as well. Ed has served on the Youth Council for the South Shore Workforce Investment Board. He has served as President of the Marine Retailers Association of the America's Educational Trust.
Pursuing a lifelong interest in the environment, Ed has served (in the past) as a Director on the Board of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay (Boston) and currently advocates on behalf of the preservation of the Weymouth Back River and Herring Run. Ed also serves on the Parish Council of his church, the Panagia Greek Orthodox Church of Cohasset, Ma. Primary interests include the promotion of workforce development with an emphasis on efforts to alleviate the shortage of skilled technicians in the recreational marine trades. Ed is married to his long time friend of over 50 years, Angela (Krest) Lofgren, and has two daughters, Melanie Krause, who is now the primary stockholder/stakeholder in the boat dealership, and Cynthia Martin, a high school teacher, and has two grandchildren, Matt and Tom Martin.
Randall Lyons Trustee
Randall Lyons has worked in the Massachusetts recreational boating industry for nearly 30 years, starting in a seasonal position during college. Randall is currently the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA), a nonprofit 501 (c) (6) association that has supported the recreational boating industry in Massachusetts since 1964. He has held this position for the past 9 years.
Randall is also a Trustee with the Mass Marine Trades Educational Trust (MMTET), a Board member of the New England Marine Trades Association (NEMTA), a Board member of the Mass Hire State Workforce Board, a Member of the Seaport Economic Council, a board member for IMTRA, and a Board Member of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC).
Randall is passionate about introducing more young people to boating and fishing and has created a Kids in Boating initiative with the MMTA & MMTET. Randall graduated from Framingham State University with a BA in Communications in the fall of 1998 and became a Certified Marina Manager (CMM) in 2012. Randall lives in Foxboro with his wife Carolyn, two kids, and two boxers.
Paul Jermain Trustee
Paul is an experienced boater, and seasoned executive with over 30 years of
management experience in commercial and non-profit organizations.
He became involved in boating in his youth and, since 2006, has produced over 215 episodes of Smart Boating, an educational TV show aired nationally on public access cable TV stations and the Internet.
Paul's work in the commercial sector includes successful experience in senior marketing management positions within global and start-up telecommunications companies. In addition, he has worked with hundreds of small organizations, as
an instructor and consultant, to support the development of effective business plans and launch of successful new businesses.
Over the past decade, he has served in various non-profit management positions, including interim Executive Director and Board President at 1623 Studios, a regional public access cable TV organization.