Resignation Of Uim President Ralf Fröhling

[Corin_Huke]

Not sure if this news has found it's way across the pond....

"On January 10, 2007, Ralf Fröhling announced his resignation as UIM President with immediate effect.

His decision is based on recent health problems and advice by his doctors.

According to UIM By Laws 5.2.3. the vacancy for the remainder of his mandate will be filled by UIM Senior Vice President Charles D. Strang.

On November 11, 2007, regular elections for a new President will take place.

Ralf Fröhling is thanking all UIM Officials with whom he had a constructive cooperation over the last 22 years and wishes the UIM and his successor a great future.

Union Internationale
Motonautique
Tel : +377.92.05.25.22
1 Avenue des Castelans Fax :+377.92.05.04.60
98000 MONACO Email : uim@uimpowerboating.com
Website : www.uimpowerboating.com
Transmission from : Régine Vandekerckhove
For the attention of : The International Boating Press

I understand that Charles D Strang is an Americian - what can you tell me about him? Would he make a worthy successor to Ralf Fröhling? Do you know of any other names in the frame who will put forward their names for the presidential election?

[T Chance]

Not sure if this news has found it's way across the pond....

"On January 10, 2007, Ralf Fröhling announced his resignation as UIM President with immediate effect.

His decision is based on recent health problems and advice by his doctors.

According to UIM By Laws 5.2.3. the vacancy for the remainder of his mandate will be filled by UIM Senior Vice President Charles D. Strang.

On November 11, 2007, regular elections for a new President will take place.

Ralf Fröhling is thanking all UIM Officials with whom he had a constructive cooperation over the last 22 years and wishes the UIM and his successor a great future.

Union Internationale
Motonautique
Tel : +377.92.05.25.22
1 Avenue des Castelans Fax :+377.92.05.04.60
98000 MONACO Email : uim@uimpowerboating.com
Website : www.uimpowerboating.com
Transmission from : Régine Vandekerckhove
For the attention of : The International Boating Press

I understand that Charles D Strang is an Americian - what can you tell me about him? Would he make a worthy successor to Ralf Fröhling? Do you know of any other names in the frame who will put forward their names for the presidential election?

Google Charles D Strang and there it is.

[14-H]

Charles D. Strang

Mr. Strang currently serves as the American Power Boat Association (UIM Authority) National Commissioner. He is also a member of the APBA Board of Directors and is a Past President of the APBA. He holds some of the most well-respected (if not the highest) credentials within the APBA with regard to competition, regatta management, rules-making and administration. He also currently serves as APBA's Appeals Chairman, hearing all appeals brought to the APBA Board of Directors.

At one time, he also served as the National Commissioner for NASCAR, the American sanctioning body for stock car racing. He may still hold that position. I am not sure. He is a former senior executive of Outboard Marine Corporation, the previous manufacturer of Johnson and Evinrude outboard boat motors, and a former senior engineer of Mercury Marine.

I am quite sure this is only a partial list of his credentials.

He also makes a heck-ov-a Ceremonies Emcee.

Ed Hearn, APBA Stock Outboard Chairman

[HRTV]

Charles D. Strang - A Closer Look (*From Google Search)

From his first outboard race in 1937 to his leadership of Outboard Marine Corporation through unprecedented periods of growth, Charles D. Strang – better known as Charlie to his many friends – served as a driving force in the recreational marine industry. A mechanical engineer by education and confessed outboard motor nut since the age of nine, he has been a prime mover in the development of many of the features which are standard in today’s outboard motors and stern drives.

Charlie’s gift for the technical side emerged in his studies at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn where he graduated in 1943 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Early applications of his talent included experimental testing on aircraft engines for the former Wright Aeronautical Corporation, project research on early jet engines at what is now NASA, and teaching as a member of the mechanical engineering staff at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1947 to 1951. While at MIT, Charlie conducted basic research on the physics of surfaces publishing more than a dozen scientific papers, including one landmark paper on the theory of wear – a paper which is still referenced by current researchers.

Charlie’s racing had an early start when he got his first boat at age 16. His premier attempt as the youngest driver ever entered in the Albany-to-New York marathon ended on a dampened note when his outboard runabout sank after some 60 miles. But the incident dampened neither Charlie’s nor his mother Ann’s enthusiasm for the sport. An ever-present pair on the racing scene, both became prominent figures in the American Power Boat Association.

Racing ultimately led Charlie into the business side of boating when he met Carl Kiekhaefer (1988 Hall of Fame inductee) at the 1950 Pro Nationals in Lake Alfred, Fl. Taking Kiekhaefer up on an invitation to join the Mercury team, Charlie moved up to executive vice president and engineering vice president.

He left Kiekhaefer in 1964 and after two years as a consultant, linked up with Outboard Marine Corporation. Charlie applied his experience from racing to the technological advancement and promotion of consumer products. Beginning as director of marine engineering, he began a climb through the organization that would take him to president and general manager in 1974, chief executive officer in 1980, and chairman of the board in 1982.

Serving as the APBA president from 1963-1964, Charlie’s devotion to the organization helped make it the premier boat racing association in the nation. Similarly, his efforts on behalf of the Union for International Motorboating helped regulate boat sports in 44 nations and earned him UIM’s Medal of Honor. Charlie’s achievements have been recognized outside of the boating arena as well, receiving the American Success Award from President Bush in a White House ceremony in 1989.

In 1990, Charlie announced his retirement. He now has more time to enjoy boating with Barbara, his wife of six years.

[L. Allen]

Corin Huke

For President!