On November 29, 2022, Jeff Lane with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, passed the Certified Recreational Boating Professional (CRBP) exam and was awarded his CRBP certification. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is excited to recognize Jeff Lane as the third person to achieve the CRBP credential.
The CRBP certification is a voluntary credential for recreational boating professionals developed by NASBLA. The credential is broad-based and addresses boating professionals’ knowledge, performance, and career achievements in the identified program domains.
In 1998, Jeff Lane graduated from MacMurray College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He began working for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Law Enforcement, as a Conservation Police Officer in 2000. In 2003, Lane was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and was unable to continue as a Conservation Police Officer for the state of Illinois. At the time, Lane transitioned to his new and current role within the Department as an Administrative Assistant.
Lane has worked as the Boat Analyst for the Office of Law Enforcement for over 19 years. He has reviewed and approved every boating incident that has occurred on the waterways within Illinois and worked with the last four boating law administrators. Lane has created and compiled the State Annual Boat Accident Report since 2004. He has also assisted and maintained the state’s compliance with the United States Coast Guard Boating Accident Report Database (BARD) entries. Lane also assists the state’s boating law administrator (BLA) with their daily activities including writing new boating laws and policies. He was instrumental in the development of the boater safety education law that requires all operators of motorized vessels born on or after January 1, 1998, to take a boating education course.
In 1999, Lane married his college sweetheart, Debbie. Once he was diagnosed with ALS, they decided to start their family and have been blessed with three children.
Lane has faced other battles since he was diagnosed with ALS. In 2012, Lane was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and has been in remission for 10 years. He continues the fight of his life with the motto "EMBRACE THE SUCK!" Since being diagnosed with ALS, Lane has helped raise funding for the Les Turner ALS Foundation for the past 20 years, raising over $500,000. He has also received the honor of Patient of the Year from the Les Turner Foundation for his help in passing a law in Illinois to be able to donate to ALS funding on the state tax return.
“Lane continually demonstrates determination and dedication to the safety of recreational boaters in Illinois,” says Lt. Curtis Lewis, Illinois Boating Law Administrator. “It is no surprise he has obtained the Certified Recreational Boating Professional certification. It is just another example of when he puts his mind to something, nothing can get in his way.”
Please join NASBLA in congratulating Jeff Lane for achieving the title of Certified Recreational Boating Professional!