2012 | Mark Wheeler

During his 38 years of membership in the American Power Boat Association, Mark has served the association extensively.

In Mark's first year as president of APBA, he led APBA through changes in executive directors and insurance carriers. He has led APBA through the beginning of it's digital transformation.

Prior to his presidency, Mark supported innovations that reduce barriers to entry into boat racing, including the implementation of driving schools.

As a member of the Junior Classes Committee for many years and as co-chair, Mark helped integrate the AX classes into the Junior Classes. He also functioned as the general contractor for 50 conversion kits.

For his contributions to the enhancement of Region 6, Mark was inducted into Region 6 Stock Outboard Hall of Fame, and won the Region 6 Don Allen Service Award.

Throughout his racing career, Mark has made major contributions to APBA's functioning.

Mark continues to serve as a referee. In fact, he has refereed more national championship events than any living referee-well over a dozen from 1988 to 2012. He has also refereed UIM World Championships and served as APBA's Chief Referee.

As a referee, Mark noticed that many races began to feature multiple categories. Over a year and a half, he painstakingly combined the rules for the kneel-down categories.

He served the Michigan Hydroplane Racing Association, as both a board member and as president. He served as Region 6 Chair and as a member of the Region 6 board of directors.

At the national level, Mark has served on the Council-At-Large, Stock Outboard Racing Commission, Junior Classes Committee, and Race Management Committee. He is currently a member of the Finance, Insurance, Offshore Racing and New Class Committees.

Mark was recently elected to his seventh consecutive term on the APBA Board of Directors. He helped guide the association for four years as vice-president and currently serves as APBA's president.