NASBLA first began presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. This award is designed for a person who has contributed to boating safety over his or her lifetime.
2019 Lifetime Achievement Awards
Charlie Sledd
Charlie Sledd received the NASBLA Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent NASBLA State RBS Workshop in Lexington, Ky. The Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to boating safety over his or her lifetime.
After nearly 37 years with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Sledd retired in early 2011. Following retirement from the state, Sledd accepted the position of NASBLA's Director of Government Affairs in June 2012. His career with Game & Inland Fisheries started in 1974 as a District Fisheries Biologist, followed by a number of subsequent positions including Fisheries Division Assistant Director, Education Division Director, Assistant to the Executive Director, and Agency Outreach Director/State Boating Law Administrator. During his 11 years as the State BLA, Sledd served on the Executive Board and as President of the Southern States Boating Law Administrators Association; as NASBLA Education Committee Chairman for four years; and on the NASBLA Executive Board and as President from 2005-2006. Sledd entered the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in May, 1972 and earned promotions to Boatswain's Mate First Class. As a BM1, he received a Direct Commission in 1981 and retired from the Coast Guard Reserve in June 2002 at the rank of Commander.
Over the years, Charlie Sledd has been a champion for NASBLA in funding from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. As Government Affairs Director, Sledd represented NASBLA on the Angling & Boating Alliance, a coalition of national recreational boating, angling, outdoor recreation interests, conservation groups, and state boating safety and natural resources agencies committed to the sustainable future of the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund. In appearances before various groups and federal officials, Sledd drew upon his experience in boating safety and wildlife resources to bring home the importance of adequate boating safety funding to the states.