2014 | Penny Anderson

"I am honored for sure," Anderson said. "(Being inducted into the Honor Squadron), It's kind of hard to describe. It almost makes me want to cry. I feel speechless about it. I do this because I love it. I didn't do it to win any awards or honors but this certainly is gigantic for me."

Watching the boats fly by while sitting in the pits in the Sammamish Slough race as an 18-year-old teenager, Penny Anderson became hooked on boat racing; 55 years later she has held nearly every office in the APBA and yet has only stepped foot in a race boat once.

Beginning her APBA career as a scorer, Anderson earned the respect of her region and club and held many positions throughout her career, including being the first woman commodore of Seattle Outboard Association.

As commodore, Penny managed the affairs of the club, conducted club meetings, managed race events and provided leadership to one of the largest APBA clubs in America. Penny has hosted many events for the club out of her own home, including Board meetings, club work parties and fund raising events such as car rallies to help grow and promote the SOA and all of boat racing.

"I was commodore of Seattle Outboard Association for four years, once for two years in a row and the club was broke. I was writing checks for sanctions out of my own checkbook," Anderson said. "By the end of my term we were on level footing again and two years late I was elected again and it was fun."

For 15 years, Penny sat alongside her husband PRO Chairman Howard Anderson, as the PRO Secretary, taking notes of every meeting that took place.

Penny has worked tirelessly at registration and scoring for many, many years not only for the outboard categories, but also for the Unlimited Category and their annual Seafair Regatta on Lake Washington. To this day, she can still be found on the judge's stand at local and national events serving as a scorer, timer and helping out in whatever capacity is needed.

"I have absolutely enjoyed (being a part of boat racing) and I don't plan on stopping going to boat races," Anderson said. "I am almost speechless about the Honor Squadron because I just never thought; like I said I just did this stuff because I liked doing it, not to win awards but it's really nice to get them.