Marine Board Director Leads National Boating Safety Organization

Paul Donheffner, director of the Oregon State Marine Board, was elected president of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) during the 40th annual conference in Hot Springs, Ark., on Sept. 22.

NASBLA is a professional association consisting of state, commonwealth and territorial officials responsible for administering and/or enforcing state boating laws. "It will be an honor to lead an organization dedicated to boating safety," said Donheffner. "We will continue our work to reduce boating accidents and to make boating safe and enjoyable on our nation's waterways."

Donheffner began his recreational boating safety career with the Marine Board in 1977 and was named director in 1984. Within NASBLA and its regional associations, Donheffner has served as president of the Western States Boating Administrators Association, secretary-treasurer of the national association and an active member of NASBLA's law enforcement committee. He has been instrumental in developing policy on a wide range of issues from financial management to personal flotation devices.

"Paul brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to the association," said Ted Woolley, boating law administrator of Utah and chairman of the NASBLA nominating committee. "Through his involvement on the executive board and other committees, Paul has proven himself to be a strong and visionary leader," Woolley added.