August 24, 2026

NACO Members:

The COVID-19 pandemic affected most aspects of the charter boat industry, including NACO's day-to-day operations. Toward the end of that period, NACO Executive Director Susan Madoff-Yadav was involved in a serious auto accident, and her recovery extended the association's period of inactivity. As a result, very little NACO business has been conducted since 2023.

I, along with Vice President Bob Zales, Treasurer Ron Maglio, and Board Member Mike Schoonveld, interviewed and hired an Administrative Director, Dena Witt, to jumpstart NACO and get it back on track. Her responsibilities include serving the needs of America's charter boat industry, ensuring our partnership with Gallagher Charter Lakes Insurance continues, and building new alliances in the fishing and boating industry for the benefit of NACO members.

NACO is pleased to welcome Dena Witt as Administrative Director, effective August 1, 2026. Dena brings nearly 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and industry leadership to the role, with deep roots in the outdoor, marine, and sportfishing sectors.

Dena is the founder and principal of King Eider Communications, a Houston-based B2B marketing and communications consultancy serving clients in the industrial, outdoor, marine, and sportfishing industries. She writes a monthly column for Fishing Tackle Retailer magazine and serves on several boards and committees. She holds an M.A. in Professional Communication from Purdue University.

In her new role, Dena will lead NACO's membership drive and the launch of a new website, working to strengthen the organization's presence and connect with charter captains across the country. She looks forward to getting to know NACO's members and supporting the association's continued growth.

NACO's reawakening is expected to take several months, with a goal of getting the association back on track by the end of 2026. We are currently working on a new website and will initiate a membership drive in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please follow NACO's new Facebook page for updated news and information at https://www.facebook.com/NACOCharterboat.

As part of this membership drive, we are pleased to offer a special renewal incentive. Members who renew their dues by October 30, 2026, will have any past unpaid dues waived, and their membership will remain in good standing through January 2028. To pay your dues, please visit the current NACO website or contact Dena Witt directly. Payment may be made by check or credit card.

We are excited about this new direction and look forward to a prosperous and active 2027. If you have any suggestions or concerns, feel free to contact me at coho@willapabay.org or Dena at dena.nacocharters@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Butch Smith