American Watercraft Association

John Donaldson

John Donaldson

John Donaldson is not the longest serving PWC government relations guy, but he’s close. He had been in the power sports industry for over a decade when his then employer decided his gift for gab and ability to write completely confusing letters were a perfect match for dealing with politicians and legislators. Since the course change in his work history, Donaldson has worked for two of the biggest PWC manufacturers as well as having a turn at running the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. Donaldson says that these government relations experiences have helped him understand that it sure isn’t the government one learns about in a text book. Further in Donaldson’s past was his service in the U.S. Coast Guard and a few years as owner of a major power sports dealership in Southern California. This diversity of government, manufacturer, and retail experience qualifies Donaldson to help keep AWA members and others informed on the latest activities of government impact on the use of PWC in the PWC Nation.



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Chris Manthos

Chris Manthos Executive Director American Watercraft AssociationChris Manthos serves as executive director of the American Watercraft Association. When not riding, he dedicates his time to educating regulators and other officials on the realities of personal watercraft, in contrast to the fantasy world of the no-access crowd. He mows his own lawn, washes his own truck, served his country, pays his taxes, picks up trash on public roads, opens his own beer bottles, reads books, hunts, feeds his own dogs, doesn’t need government to tell him right from wrong, and deplores sanctimonious hypocrites, bullies, and know-it-alls, particularly the political kind.

Wiley Russell Jr.

Wiley Russell Jr. AWA Ride PWC MagazineWiley Russell Jr. is the dealer coordinator of the AWA and works closely with personal watercraft dealers nationwide, promoting PWC access for all enthusiasts, as well as promoting dealerships. He is a Virginia native and enjoys riding PWC as much as possible.


Sacrifice
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 14:05
dog

We hear plenty of talk about sacrifice. In one way or another,most of us are putting off vacations, home and car repairs and lowering our standard of living. Should you find yourself in the Big Apple, government says you will sacrifice salt in your food. In the Golden State, the latest decree sacrifices “trans fats,” because Sacramento feels you’re too dumb to know any better. Tax hikes, sure to come, will certainly be spun by Congressional leaders as a “sacrifice” taxpayers must make for the common good. Yet, on Capitol Hill, it’s a one way street.

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Selling Bigfoot
Written by Chris Manthos   
Tuesday, 03 November 2009 11:53

Bigfoot Growing up in the rural south during the 70’s, it was a popular Saturday night to head into town for the movies. At the time, my little ‘burg had a classic single screen theater with a balcony called the Tally-Ho. When you’re ten years old and living in the sticks, it took courage to slap down three bucks for a Bigfoot movie, but I never missed one. My favorite was Mystery of Bigfoot, ‘hosted’ by Peter Graves. In that era, everyone knew Mr. Graves as the head man from the popular Mission Impossible TV series. The never smiling Graves conveyed a critical air of authority and deadly seriousness to one my favorite nightmares: I was completely sold on the possibility of a 7'2"/700 pound primate with a bad attitude wandering the hills and river bottoms near my home.

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Tell me lies...
Written by Chris Manthos   
Thursday, 09 July 2009 10:06

Lie Detector - Wavelength Writers block is an anathema. Hours spent staring aimlessly at the screen. Then you get hit with a quadrillion volts of inspiration. Just my luck, one of the candidates running for Governor just rang up to invite me to participate in a conference call... live even!

Read more... [Tell me lies...]
 

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