MESSMANN RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

When honored with a lifetime achievement award, people usually experience a broad spectrum of emotions; happiness, pride, or a sense of accomplishment.

However, when Fred Messmann, Nevada Boating Law Administrator, was awarded the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) at its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in September of 2006, he was simply confused.

“I had no idea it was coming. As they began reading the accomplishments of the winner, I thought it sounded awfully familiar.” He said. “I joked with my peers that a lifetime achievement award usually means you’re all done, but I’m just getting warmed up,” said Messmann.

The award was started in 1998, and is designed for persons who have contributed to boating safety over their lifetime or career.

“Obviously, I was honored to receive the award. That kind of recognition for the extra work is all the reward a person could expect. I was fortunate that many of the people that worked with me were there when I received the award. It was a team effort,” he said.

Messmann joined the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) in 1974 as a seasonal boating officer/intern. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1978. Upon graduation, Messmann hired on with NDOW directly into law enforcement where he became a full-time boating officer/game warden on Lake Mead and then on Lake Tahoe. He was promoted to his current position of boating law administrator in 1989.

During his career, Messmann has held several leadership roles in the boating safety arena. He served as president of the Western States Boating Administrators Association in 1993, vice president of the National Water Safety Congress from 1994 to 2000, and president of NASBLA in 2004. In addition, he has chaired numerous NASBLA committees, served on the National Safe Boating Council, the International Association of Marine Investigators, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Board of Directors, and currently chairs the U.S. Coast Guard National Recreational Boating Safety Strategic Planning Panel. He also began serving on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) beginning in 2002.

He considers himself lucky to have found a job that he enjoys. “I really like to help people and that’s what makes me so perfect for this job. My wife always says that I’m the only guy she knows who hates to see his day off come around.”

Messmann has a long history on the water, having joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school. He served three tours in Vietnam aboard the U.S.S. King, a guided missile frigate, patrolling the Gulf of Tonkin. Messmann left the Navy as a Radioman, second class (E-5).

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org