The Water Sports Industry Association is proud to recognize the following people as finalists for the 2026 WSIA Leadership Awards.
Ballots have been sent to Active WSIA Members.
Winners will be announced live on stage at SUMMIT on Feb 26, 2026 in North Lake Tahoe, CA.
Brad Gearhart
Brad Gearhart has spent more than two decades as one of the marine and towed water sports industry’s most reliable forces—often behind the scenes, always essential. With rare, full-spectrum experience spanning a premier boat manufacturer (Nautique), competitive wakeboarding leadership through the World Wake Association, and senior marketing/business development at Roswell Marine, Brad understands the sport from every angle: athlete, brand, event, and consumer.
A lifelong rider with a builder’s mindset, Brad consistently focuses on outcomes over recognition—creating authentic partnerships, effective campaigns, and durable strategies that strengthen the ecosystem as a whole. Known for humility and hands-on leadership, he’s the person who still jumps in to solve problems on-site, handle logistics, and do the work others overlook, because titles have never mattered as much as results.
Brad’s impact isn’t defined by a single moment—it’s defined by 20+ years of consistency. Same work ethic, same integrity, same focus, year after year. That kind of leadership quietly shapes the culture and future of the sport.
Dan Lee
Dan Lee embodies the kind of leadership that protects and strengthens the future of towed water sports. In his role as a Regional Sales Manager, he consistently operates well beyond his job description—serving as an educator, advocate, and steady voice for the industry at a time when wake sports face heightened public scrutiny.
Dan has been especially effective at elevating regional conversations around wakesurfing and boating access—particularly in Wisconsin and Minnesota—by insisting on facts, sound science, and responsible boating practices over misinformation and emotionally driven narratives. He understands that long-term access depends on credibility, and he has worked tirelessly to ensure stakeholders and decision-makers are informed by real-world knowledge of modern towboat operation.
A committed supporter of WSIA, Dan actively encourages Malibu dealers to engage with the association and participate in advocacy efforts, helping align manufacturers, dealers, and industry partners around a more unified voice. He is also a genuine ambassador for Wake Responsibly—not just promoting the message, but living it. Dan has volunteered personal time and resources to get legislators and local leaders out on the water, creating firsthand experiences that have proven pivotal in building understanding and shifting perspectives in ways that printed materials can’t.
What ultimately sets Dan apart is how he does the work: with integrity, professionalism, and an uncommon level of personal commitment. His leadership builds trust, improves the quality of public dialogue, and helps secure the access and reputation the sport depends on.
Kirby Liesmann
Kirby Liesmann represents leadership in water sports at its most personal and most impactful—developing the sport by developing people. A world-class athlete and 4x world champion wakeboarder, Kirby has translated elite competitive experience into one of the most respected and welcoming instructional programs in the country through Kirby’s School of Wake, serving families and riders across Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and Fort Myers, Florida.
What consistently stands out in the testimonials about Kirby is not just skill, but how he leads: with patience, humility, and a rare ability to meet each rider where they are. Beginners routinely progress in a single session what might otherwise take months, because Kirby breaks down technique into clear, achievable steps—tailoring his coaching to different ages, learning styles, and comfort levels. Just as important, his students describe an environment built on safety, confidence, and encouragement, where people feel supported to try, improve, and enjoy the water.
Kirby’s impact extends well beyond lessons. He actively grows participation through innovative programming—like turning a homeschool concept into a true “on-the-water classroom” that has already introduced dozens of new riders—and through camps and outreach that bring kids, families, and communities into the sport. Many families describe him as more than an instructor: a mentor, role model, and steady presence who invests in people’s lives off the water with integrity, care, and faith-driven values.
Taken together—elite credibility in the sport, a proven ability to teach and inspire across generations, and a deep commitment to building character and community—Kirby’s influence shows up in the strongest possible way: in the riders he’s created, the families he’s impacted, and the love of water sports he’s helped take root and grow.
Eric Miller
Eric Miller represents a rare kind of water sports leader: someone whose lifelong passion on the water is matched by deep technical leadership that has tangibly shaped the modern towboat era. From waterskiing at age two to early wakeboarding adoption, competitive wakeboarding, and coaching, Eric’s roots in the sport are authentic—and he paired that athlete’s understanding with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Clemson to build a career defined by innovation.
Over 18 years at Nautique, primarily as Chief Engineer, Eric has led engineering, CAD, and prototype teams while advancing core systems that determine performance, safety, and the on-water experience—running surfaces, control systems, structural design, and integrated technologies. Just as important as the products themselves, he has helped scale and professionalize a world-class product development organization, building the processes and teams that sustain long-term innovation.
Eric is listed as an inventor on 20+ patents and has driven engineering on multiple industry-defining platforms and technologies, including the Ski Nautique 200, the G23/G-Series with the patented Nautique Control and Running Surface (NCRS), the Nautique Surf System (NSS), and the Paragon, which introduced patented surf technology and a wave pedigree that later influenced the broader lineup. His work continues at the leading edge with the all-new 2026 Ski Nautique, featuring a redesigned hull, advanced construction, and tightly integrated system controls aimed at pushing wake performance, consistency, and efficiency to new levels.
What makes Eric’s impact especially meaningful is that it’s never been innovation for innovation’s sake. His philosophy is rooted in understanding hydrodynamics at a fundamental level, raising performance standards while protecting brand quality, and mentoring high-energy teams to build products that genuinely improve the customer experience and bring families together on the water. Alongside his engineering leadership, Eric has also shown consistent industry service—through WSIA Tow Boat Committee leadership, technical support for Wake for Warriors, support of grassroots competitions and clinics, and mentoring young people interested in engineering—making him a clear example of influence that advances both the sport and the community around it.
Brandon Patrick
Brandon Patrick exemplifies leadership through service—using his platform in the marine industry to consistently give back in ways that are personal, sustained, and deeply impactful. Through his work at NC Marine, Brandon has paired professional success with an uncommon commitment to causes that matter, quietly turning boats and time on the water into vehicles for purpose.
For many years, Brandon has donated his own time, resources, and energy to advance breast cancer awareness, most visibly through initiatives like Pink Boats with Purpose. What sets his involvement apart is its longevity and sincerity. This isn’t a one-off campaign or symbolic gesture—it’s a cause he has shown up for year after year, leveraging the visibility of the boating community to raise awareness, honor survivors, and support families affected by the disease.
That same spirit of service extends to Brandon’s dedication to giving back to the nation’s heroes. He has repeatedly stepped forward to our heroes—using boating experiences to create moments of connection, healing, and appreciation for those who give so much of themselves to others. These efforts reflect a belief that the water can be more than recreation; it can be restorative and unifying.
Ken Scribner
Ken Scribner is a cornerstone of the wakesurf and broader water sports community—known as much for his character and service as for his unmatched on-water skill. Through his work with Centurion Boats and his leadership at surf events nationwide, Ken has earned a reputation as one of the industry’s most trusted, respected, and relentlessly dependable people.
Widely regarded as one of the best drivers in competitive wakesurfing, Ken elevates every event he touches through preparation, precision, and care. At Centurion World Series of Surf events and beyond, he’s routinely the first to arrive and last to leave—managing equipment readiness, supporting riders, and ensuring the athlete experience runs smoothly. Just as notable is how he shows up for the entire community: collaborating seamlessly with staff, sponsors, and athletes across all brands, making people feel welcome, and treating every participant with the same respect—rookie or pro.
Ken’s leadership is rooted in service. Long before it was part of his job, he volunteered because he genuinely cares about the sport and the people in it. That continues through his deep involvement with Operation Wake Surf, where he donates time and expertise to support first responders and service members through water sports, and Operation Get Out, helping prepare equipment and drive boats to create safe, empowering experiences for women and new participants.
He also lives the values WSIA exists to promote—embodying #PassTheHandle through year-round mentorship and encouragement, and modeling Wake Responsibly through consistent education on safety, etiquette, and stewardship. In high-pressure competitive environments, Ken is trusted because he leads with integrity and fairness, even when doing the right thing is difficult or unpopular.
Ken’s impact is felt in the culture he helps create: events that run better, athletes who feel supported, and communities that grow in a more inclusive and responsible way—because he sets a standard and quietly lifts everyone around him.