ASA Announces New Members Of Its Board Of Directors
by Janet Tennyson
New members of the American Sportfishing Association’s Board of Directors were announced today by Chairman of the Board Burt Steinberg and Mike Nussman, the Association’s President and CEO. Elections previously took place for three At-Large seats and three Regional seats to the Board, which numbers 16-21 members.
Three At-Large seats went to Peter Foley, President of Boone Bait Company; John Jilling, President of Wright & McGill Company, the parent company for Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle; and David Pfeiffer, Executive Vice President of Shimano American Corporation.
Elections for the three Regional seats actually resulted in four additional members, with the Great Lakes Region vote tying twice, prompting a Board decision to allow both nominees to serve as co-representatives. Randy Lemcke, Vice President/General Manager of Plano Molding Company, and Richard "Chip" Powell, President of Mason Tackle Company, will both represent the Great Lakes Region. The Northeastern Region seat went to Bert Kaplan, President of Kaplan Associates, and the Northern Plains and Inter-Mountain Region seat went to Geoff Ratte, National Sales Manager for Water Gremlin Company. Board members serve 2-year terms, with new members assuming their duties October 1, 2002.
"We’ve got a great mix of talent, experience, and perspective with the incoming Board members," said American Sportfishing Association Board Chairman Burt Steinberg. "Members of the American Sportfishing Association are in good hands with dynamic leaders, industry veterans, and steadfast advocates for their sportfishing interests."
A member of the Board for the last 2 years, Peter Foley has been involved with the Association for nearly three decades and previously served as Board Chairman. He is most interested in supporting improvements to the annual ICAST trade show and helping to manage the Association finances and government affairs. John Jilling has worked for Wright & McGill Company for nearly 30 years, becoming President 4 years ago. He has served on the Association’s Show Committee for the last 4 years, and is especially interested in supporting angler recruitment efforts in the future. David Pfeiffer has been with Shimano American Corporation for more than 14 years. He is responsible for Shimano’s U.S. fishing tackle division, including product and brand management, sales, marketing, and customer and dealer services. Pfeiffer hopes to help increase involvement of members representing every aspect of the industry, including retailers, manufacturer representatives, distributors, and allied companies.
A Board member for the last 4 years, Bert Kaplan has served as chairman of the Association’s PAC and on the committee for the FishAmerica Foundation and the Board of the Future Fisherman Foundation. He has been in the industry for more than 40 years, currently representing manufacturers. With 35 years in the sporting goods industry, Randy Lemcke has a diverse background in manufacturing, wholesale, and retail, and has worked with manufacturers’ and factory representatives. He currently serves on the committee for the FishAmerica Foundation and is active in conservation and youth fishing activities. Richard "Chip" Powell, a Board member for the last 4 years, has been involved in the industry for 28 years, currently as a fishing tackle manufacturer. He has served as Board Chairman and on several committees for the Association over the last 20 years, most recently the Government Affairs and Show Committees. A Board member for the last 2 years, Geoff Ratte has been in the fishing tackle business since 1976, and has served on the Association’s Government Affairs and Trade and Commerce committees.
The Board of Directors represents the American Sportfishing Association’s 450 members, setting priorities and strategies for advancing fisheries conservation, fishing opportunities, and the business interests of the sportfishing industry. Efforts currently include continuing to revitalize ICAST, the largest recreational fishing trade expo; reauthorization of Wallop-Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Act provisions to continue the Water Works Wonders campaign; advancing the Fishable Waters Act and the Freedom to Fish Act; and expanding the Future Fisherman Foundation and the FishAmerica Foundation, the Association’s angler recruitment and education arm and grassroots conservation grant program.
Current members of the Board of Directors are Brian Butts, Sampo, Inc.; Jerry Calengor, Normark Corporation (Vice-Chairman, and will assume Chairmanship in October); Wes Campbell, TTI Companies; Thomas Dammrich, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Clem Dippel, Fishing Tackle Retailer/Bass Anglers Sportsman Society; Peter Foley, Boone Bait Company; Bert Kaplan, Kaplan Associates; Mark Masterson, Yakima Bait Company (past Chairman); Ray Murski, Bliss Murski; Fred Neal, Cabela’s, Inc.; Dick Pool, Pro-Troll; Chip Powell, Mason Tackle Company; Geoff Ratte, Water Gremlin Company; Dan Reitz (Treasurer); Burt Steinberg, American Rod and Gun (Chairman); and Dick Storm, PAMCO, Inc.
The American Sportfishing Association is the recreational fishing trade association, with 450 members representing the fishing and boating industry, state and federal natural resource agencies, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association initiates and supports efforts to advance healthy fisheries, fishing opportunities, and a profitable sportfishing industry.
