American Sportfishing Association Elects New Board of Directors Members
by Mary Jane Williamson
June 26, 2007, Alexandria, VA—Six new members of the
American Sportfishing Association’s Board
of Directors were elected in June to fill three regional seats and
three At-Large seats, with their terms beginning October 1, 2007. The
Board members serve two-year terms.
Regional seats went to Ed Dinkins, Bass Pro Shops,
who will serve the South Central Region; Bob Eakes, Red
Drum Tackle Shop, Inc., who will serve the Southeast Region;
and Jim Lebson, G.Loomis, Inc., who will serve the
West Region. All three Board members for these regions were reelected.
At-large seats went to John Jilling, Wright & McGill Co., Gary
Zurn, Big Rock Sports, both reelected; and Geoff Ratté,
Water Gremlin Co., who has served on ASA’s Board
in the past.
"The reelection of several Board members is a strong indication that our
Board of Directors is serving our membership well," said Mike Nussman,
ASA president and CEO. "I thank these individuals for their time
and strong commitment to the association and sportfishing. This is
sure to be a year of successes and challenges for us all, and I look
forward to working with this fantastic group on behalf of our members.”
Ed Dinkins, vice president and General Merchandise
manager, Bass Pro Shops, has more than 30 years’ experience in the sporting goods
and outdoor industry. He believes that safeguarding the core values of fishing
is necessary to our country and our industry and promises to continue serving
ASA’s membership with passion and prudence. Bob Eakes,
president, Red Drum Tackle Shop, Inc., is proud to represent the retail
segment of the sportfishing industry in his position on the Board. Jim Lebson,
director of Sales and Marketing, G.Loomis, Inc., aims to improve industry
clout, engage dealers and improve fishing participation and conservation
as a Board member.
John Jilling, president of Wright & McGill Co., has over
30 years of experience in the industry. He is proud that his company was among
the original companies to exhibit at the first Associated Fishing Tackle Manufacturers
trade show in 1958 and is still exhibiting at ICAST, the association’s
trade show, today. Gary Zurn, senior vice president,
Big Rock Sports, is deeply involved in the association’s committees
and serves as the current Treasurer. He believes everyone in the fishing
industry has an obligation to give back by giving of their time and
feels there is no better way to channel this than by supporting ASA
and its many programs and initiatives. Geoff
Ratt,
National Sales manager, Water Gremlin Co., served on the Board in
the past, and returns with a mission to ensure there are new products
for anglers, clean water for fishing, boat ramps for access and laws
and regulations to protect the nation’s
fisheries.
The current members of the Board of Directors are: Randy Lemcke, Plano
Molding Company (Chairman); Jeff Pontius, ZEBCO/WC Bradley (Vice Chairman);
Jeff Marble, Frabill, Inc. (Secretary); Gary Zurn, Big Rock Sports
(Treasurer); David Pfeiffer, Shimano American Corporation (Immediate
Past Chairman); Ed Dinkins, Bass Pro Shops (At-Large); Thomas Dammrich,
National Marine Manufacturers Association; Clem Dippel, BASS/ESPN Outdoors;
Bob Eakes, Red Drum Tackle Shop, Inc.; John Jilling, Wright & McGill
Company; Jay Jolly, Boater's World Marine Centers; Jim Lebson, G.Loomis,
Inc.; Darrell Lowrance, Lowrance Electronics, Inc.; Edward Parker,
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection; Richard Powell,
Mason Tackle Company; Burt Steinberg, American Rod & Gun; Gregg
Wollner, Normark Corporation.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing
industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for
the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry
a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating
industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation
organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists when
emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing
business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures
to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well
as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic, and conservation
values of sportfishing in America.
