Contender Boats Founder Wins Eddie Smith Manufacturer of the Year Award
Joe Neber was honored for his leadership in boat building and marine conservation at the American Boating Congress in Washington, DC
Contender Boats’ founder and president Joe Neber was honored Tuesday by the Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP) with the 2026 Eddie Smith Manufacturer of the Year Award during the American Boating Congress (ABC) in Washington, DC.
CSP president Jeff Angers presented the award, saying Neber earned the recognition through decades of leadership and longstanding contributions to high-performance boat building and his commitment to protecting marine resources and angler access.
“Joe Neber built Contender Boats with a clear vision…to create offshore fishing boats that could perform in the toughest conditions without compromising quality or fishability,” said Angers. “What sets Joe apart is not just what he built, but how he built it: hands-on, detail-driven and never willing to cut corners.”
An avid offshore angler, Neber launched Contender in 1984 to build stronger, faster and more capable vessels.
The Miami-based company quickly earned a reputation for durability, innovation and performance among the center console offshore fishing segment.
Beyond manufacturing, Neber is an active advocate for marine conservation and recreational fishing access, supporting industry initiatives and serving on boards and advisory groups dedicated to sustaining fishery resources.
“It’s an honor to receive the Eddie Smith Award and to be associated with the kind of leadership Eddie brought to this industry,” said Neber. “The Center for Sportfishing Policy continues to do critical work, but none of it happens without the collective effort of manufacturers, anglers, conservation groups and policymakers all working together. That collaboration is what moves this industry forward, and I’m proud to stand alongside so many who are committed to protecting our fisheries as well as our rights to enjoy them for generations to come.”
Named for the legendary chairman of Grady-White Boats, the Eddie Smith Award was established by CSP to recognize manufacturers who lead through innovation, conservation and industry advancement.
CSP is the nation’s leading advocate for saltwater recreational anglers in the US.