Charles Chapman Award

Dave joined Sea Ray Boats in 1986, launching a career spent exclusively supporting recreational boating for the Brunswick Corporation. Beginning in product development and engineering, he progressed through roles of increasing responsibility throughout the Company helping create and manage compliance programs within the many brands of Brunswick’s Boat Group.  In 2008, he was appointed Senior Director of Product Integrity for Brunswick Corporation, where he currently provides enterprise leadership on product safety, regulatory policy, and compliance across Brunswick’s global portfolio of marine brands.

Dave works closely with Brunswick’s Legal, Engineering and Government Affairs organizations, providing product safety and compliance strategy, overseeing enterprise-wide audit and certification programs, and supporting product liability, regulatory, and legislative matters. His work has helped establish a strong company-wide culture focused on accountability, risk identification, and the consistent application of global safety and compliance standards across engineering, manufacturing, and compliance functions.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dave has made extensive contributions to the recreational boating industry through active leadership in technical standards, and advisory organizations. He has been involved with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) for more than three decades, serving twice as their Chair of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Technical Board, and as a long-time participant in standards committee work. He currently remains active on ABYC’s Technical Board of Directors.  He is a member of NMMA’s Risk Management Council, Boat and Yacht Certification Committee and also participates in NMMA’s Engine Manufacturer’s Board meetings.

Dave plays a significant role in the development of international marine standards. He has served for many years as a U.S. delegate to ISO Technical Committee 188 for recreational craft, including leadership as a convener for working groups supporting the development of European and global standards. He is a member of the Recreational Craft Sectoral Group and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI), supporting effective certification pathways and international market access for manufacturers.

A respected voice on recreational boating safety, Marlow has worked closely with the United States Coast Guard throughout his career. He has served multiple terms, including as Chair—of the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee, providing recommendations to senior Coast Guard leadership on boating safety policy, standards, and equipment requirements. His service has been recognized with multiple U.S. Coast Guard Public Service Commendations, including the Coast Guard’s Meritorious Public Service Award.

Dave has spent a career sharing his knowledge and experience for the betterment of boating safety. His advice is continuously sought out and leads to significant improvement in the safety and overall customer experience across our industry.

Marlow holds a Master of Engineering degree in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  His professional recognition includes ABYC’s Skip Moyer Leadership Award, NMMA’s Legislative Appreciation Award, and ABYC’s Service Award.

Dave lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife, Maribeth, of 36 years. They have two grown children, Drew and Matthew.  Dave enjoys weight training and spending time outdoors, boating and golfing. 

Dave Marlow has been actively involved in the recreational marine industry for forty years.  His career has been defined by a sustained commitment to product safety, regulatory compliance, and the development of practical technical standards that improve recreational boating for manufacturers and boaters alike.

Dave joined Sea Ray Boats in 1986, launching a career spent exclusively supporting recreational boating for the Brunswick Corporation. Beginning in product development and engineering, he progressed through roles of increasing responsibility throughout the Company helping create and manage compliance programs within the many brands of Brunswick’s Boat Group.  In 2008, he was appointed Senior Director of Product Integrity for Brunswick Corporation, where he currently provides enterprise leadership on product safety, regulatory policy, and compliance across Brunswick’s global portfolio of marine brands.

Dave works closely with Brunswick’s Legal, Engineering and Government Affairs organizations, providing product safety and compliance strategy, overseeing enterprise-wide audit and certification programs, and supporting product liability, regulatory, and legislative matters. His work has helped establish a strong company-wide culture focused on accountability, risk identification, and the consistent application of global safety and compliance standards across engineering, manufacturing, and compliance functions.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dave has made extensive contributions to the recreational boating industry through active leadership in technical standards, and advisory organizations. He has been involved with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) for more than three decades, serving twice as their Chair of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Technical Board, and as a long-time participant in standards committee work. He currently remains active on ABYC’s Technical Board of Directors.  He is a member of NMMA’s Risk Management Council, Boat and Yacht Certification Committee and also participates in NMMA’s Engine Manufacturer’s Board meetings.

Dave plays a significant role in the development of international marine standards. He has served for many years as a U.S. delegate to ISO Technical Committee 188 for recreational craft, including leadership as a convener for working groups supporting the development of European and global standards. He is a member of the Recreational Craft Sectoral Group and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI), supporting effective certification pathways and international market access for manufacturers.

A respected voice on recreational boating safety, Marlow has worked closely with the United States Coast Guard throughout his career. He has served multiple terms, including as Chair—of the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee, providing recommendations to senior Coast Guard leadership on boating safety policy, standards, and equipment requirements. His service has been recognized with multiple U.S. Coast Guard Public Service Commendations, including the Coast Guard’s Meritorious Public Service Award.

Dave has spent a career sharing his knowledge and experience for the betterment of boating safety. His advice is continuously sought out and leads to significant improvement in the safety and overall customer experience across our industry.

Marlow holds a Master of Engineering degree in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  His professional recognition includes ABYC’s Skip Moyer Leadership Award, NMMA’s Legislative Appreciation Award, and ABYC’s Service Award.

Dave lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife, Maribeth, of 36 years. They have two grown children, Drew and Matthew.  Dave enjoys weight training and spending time outdoors, boating and golfing.