Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico - The 2014 Jim Ketler Service Award has been given by the Vallarta Yacht Club to Dee Cockerham of Nuevo Vallarta. This award is given annually to the person that has displayed active, positive support for the mission and goals endorsed by the Vallarta Yacht Club to benefit the greater Banderas Bay Community.

Dee has without a doubt fulfilled these goals. She selflessly gives her time and talent in support of the Vallarta Yacht Club's goals to give back to the community through her work in support of local charities.

Just a few of her many accomplishment this past year were chairing the monumental task of launching the 1st Taste of Nuevo Vallarta, which she combined with the Yacht Club's long running Chili Cook-off. This very successful event attracted hundreds of people and raised well over $57,000 pesos for the Families at the Dump and the Navy League's Toys for Tots Program, and at the same time allowed the over 40 local restaurants that participated to show off their "wares."

Dee also arranged for a benefit dinner concert at the Yacht Club that raised over $4,000 pesos for Families at the Dump, and coordinated a clothing drive for FAD. To cap off her busy year, Ms. Cockerham volunteered to take over the Yacht Club's Charities Outreach Program.

In addition to her charity work, Dee has made time to Chair the Banderas Bay Regatta logo wear sales for the past several years, has previously chaired the Club's Membership Committee, and this past year served as the Club's Treasurer.

The name of the award is in memory of one of the founders of the Vallarta Yacht Club, and is a memorial to his desire and drive so support the cruisers and communities that surround Banderas Bay.