ABOUT THE AWARD
The Award was conceived by Global Marine Insurance and established in 2002 by the National Marine Lenders Association (NMLA) in honor of Bill Otto, one of its founding members. Otto is recognized for his pivotal role in organizing the first marine lending conference in 1980 and bringing together various stakeholders from the financial community, marine manufacturing, retailing, and related marine industry services.
Today, the association and its conferences continue to stimulate marine finance and share the latest industry trends through a national network of lenders, maritime attorneys, surveyors, remarketers, insurers, and professional consultants. The William B. Otto III Award is open for nominations annually.
ELIGIBILITY
The Award recognizes individuals within the marine industry who have made significant contributions throughout their careers. To be eligible for the Award, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Work Within the Marine Industry
- Exemplify NMLA's Core Values
- Nominees should embody the core values of the NMLA, including respect, integrity, and ethical standards and business practices.
- Leadership and Vision
- Nominees should have served as leaders and visionaries within the marine or marine finance industries. They should have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, such as the ability to inspire others, make strategic decisions, and drive positive change.
- Advancement of Industry Relations
- Nominees should have made substantial contributions through involvement with NMLA and/or other marine industry organizations. They should have shown efforts that have advanced and improved relations between different industry sectors, stakeholders, and consumers within the industry. These may include such initiatives as fostering collaboration, communication, and mutual understanding among various parties involved in the industry.
- Passion for Advancing the Marine Industry
- Nominees should embody a passion for advancing the marine industry through innovative service and expertise. They should demonstrate a deep commitment to driving progress, growth, and excellence within the industry, Leveraging their knowledge and skills to contribute to its development.
NOMINATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
- Board Sponsorship: All nominations must be sponsored by a current NMLA board member.
- Nomination Form: Complete the online nomination form below and click Submit.
- Deadline: The deadline for receipt of nominations is August 24th, 2026.
- Selection Process: Once all applications have been received, the NMLA Board will review all nominations, assess each candidate’s qualifications, and deliberate to determine the most deserving recipient for the Award.
- Presentation: The recipient is announced and typically presented at the Annual Fall Marine Lenders Conference
QUESTIONS
NOMINATION FORM
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