ALPENA, Mich. — Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Contributor Award (OCA) presented by the Economic Generator Network (EGN) in recognition of the organization’s transformational contributions to education, workforce development, and economic growth throughout Northern Michigan.

The Outstanding Contributor Award honors an individual, group, or organization that has made significant contributions to building the foundation for economic growth in Northern Michigan. In addition to recognizing excellence and community impact, the award includes a $15,000 cash prize for the recipient to use at its discretion.

Since 2010, Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary has built a nationally recognized model for connecting youth and communities to the Great Lakes through immersive marine technology and stewardship programs. Working in partnership with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the organization has helped inspire a generation of students through hands-on learning experiences involving remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), engineering, robotics, and environmental science.

A cornerstone of the organization’s impact is its support and leadership of the annual Great Lakes Regional MATE ROV Competition, along with Alpena’s hosting of the MATE ROV World Championship in both 2014 and 2025, bringing over 1,200 competitors, coaches, families and industry professionals from 18 countries and 22 states to Northeast Michigan.

“The Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary exemplifies what the Outstanding Contributor Award stands for,” said representatives of EGN. “Their programs inspire young people and strengthen stewardship of the Great Lakes, but also directly contribute to workforce development and regional economic success.”

The organization’s marine technology initiatives include:

• The annual Great Lakes Regional MATE ROV Competition
• The Underwater Robot Academy summer program
• Educator workshops and vessel-based experiences
• Year-round marine technology maker space access
• Student robotics integration through sanctuary education programs

Students participating in these programs gain experience in robotics, engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Participants also present engineering solutions before judges and industry experts, preparing them for real-world professional environments.

Friends of TBNMS delivers a broad and measurable impact across Northeast Michigan each year, including:

• More than 5,000 youth are engaged annually
• More than 150 teachers and youth leaders impacted each year
• Over 350 hours of environmental education programming delivered annually
• More than 650 third-grade students are introduced to marine technology each year across 32 classrooms in nine Northeast Michigan school districts

The organization also supports regional ROV clubs through its Marine Technology Maker Space at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, which includes indoor testing tanks and outdoor training facilities that allow students to design, build, and test underwater robotic technology year-round.

By combining education, innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic development, Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary continues to strengthen the future of Northeast Michigan and inspire the next generation of leaders, engineers, and problem-solvers.

Learn more about Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – Protect what you love.  Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects a nationally significant collection of nearly 100 shipwrecks within 4,300 square miles of Lake Huron off the Michigan coast.