ASA Announces New Members of its Board of Directors
by Janet Tennyson
Seven new members of the American Sportfishing Association's Board of Directors for next year were announced today by Chairman of the Board Jerry Calengor and Mike Nussman, the Association's President and CEO. Elections took place for three At-Large and three Regional seats to the Board, which numbers 16-21 members who serve 2-year terms. New members assume their duties October 1, 2003.
At-Large seats went to Clem Dippel of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society/ESPN, Fred Neal of Cabela's, and Gary Zurn of Big Rock Sports. Dippel and Neal are currently serving out terms on the Board of Directors.
Elections for the three Regional seats resulted in four additional members because the Western Region vote was tied, and the Board voted to support both candidates in serving jointly. Ed Dinkins of Bass Pro Shops will serve for the South Central Region, Blair Wickstrom of Florida Sportsman magazine was elected to represent the Southeast, and Jim Lebson of G. Loomis and Dick Pool of Pro-Troll will jointly represent the Western Region because of the tie vote. Pool is a current member of the Board and Wickstrom has served on the Board in the past.
Clem Dippel is Advertising Director for Fishing Tackle Retailer magazine
and Account Executive for other BASS publications and ESPN TV. Dippel
is especially interested in helping to build a strong, active ASA by
continuing to strengthen the ICAST trade show, profile ASA programs to
the industry, and more broadly promote sportfishing itself. Fred Neal
is Division Merchandise Manager for Fishing and Marine with Cabela's.
In both his education and experience before joining Cabela's 17 years
ago, Neal has a strong science background. He also worked as a hunting
products buyer prior to his fishing post at Cabela's. Gary Zurn is Executive
Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Big Rock Sports. Zurn has
extensive experience with trade association business and trade shows.
He hopes to make a difference in addressing external challenges to the
industry, such as retail and entertainment competition, and advancing
conservation and angler education.
Ed Dinkins is Vice President/General Merchandise Manager with Bass Pro
Shops. He has held positions in a range of industry sectors, including
manufacturing, retail and wholesale sales, and direct marketing. Blair
Wickstrom is Publisher of Florida Sportsman and Shallow Water Angler
magazines, and serves on the state and national boards of the Coastal
Conservation Association. He especially hopes to continue to use his
magazines to improve the sport of fishing. Jim Lebson is Regional Sales
Manager for G. Loomis for the eastern U.S. He is interested in helping
to recruit more independent dealers, rep groups, and allied companies
to ASA's membership, advance the Future Fisherman Foundation's angler
education programs, and strengthen the ICAST trade show. Dick Pool is
President of Pro-Troll. He would like to contribute by improving ASA's
revenue sources, especially through the acquisition of consumer shows,
and further engage guides, pros, and anglers in advancing fishing participation.
"We're really fortunate to have these capable representatives of the
industry come forward to volunteer their time and talents to the Board
of Directors," said Chairman Jerry Calengor. "While we may be competitors
in the marketplace, all of us recognize the importance of coming together
as an industry to shape and support our trade association."
The Board of Directors represents the American Sportfishing Association's 500 members. The Board sets priorities and develops strategies to address the business interests of the industry and advance fishing opportunities and fisheries conservation. The Board also oversees the Association's revenues, investments, and spending.
Current members of the Board of Directors are Jerry Calengor, Normark/Rapala
Corporation (Chairman); David Pfeiffer, Shimano American Corporation
(Vice Chairman); Burt Steinberg, American Rod and Gun (Past Chairman);
Randy Lemcke, Plano Molding Company (Secretary); Peter Foley, Boone Bait
Company (Treasurer); Fred Neal, Cabela's, Inc. (At-Large); Brian Butts,
Sampo, Inc.; Wes Campbell, TTI Companies; Thomas Dammrich, National Marine
Manufacturers Association; Clem Dippel, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society/ESPN;
John Jilling, Wright & McGill Company; Bert Kaplan, Kaplan Associates;
Brent Manning, Wyoming Game and Fish Department; Ray Murski, Bliss Murski;
Dick Pool, Pro-Troll; Chip Powell, Mason Tackle Company; and Geoff Ratte,
Water Gremlin Company.
The American Sportfishing Association is the recreational fishing
trade association, uniting 500 members of the sportfishing and boating
industries, state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water
management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups,
and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association initiates
and supports efforts to advance fisheries conservation, fishing opportunities,
and a profitable sportfishing industry.
