Seven members of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) were elected or re-elected to fill three regional seats and three at-large seats on the board of directors. Their terms begin October 1, 2013, and they will serve two-year terms. ASA’s board members may serve three, consecutive two-year terms.
Regional seats went to Jeff Pontius, president, ZEBCO Brands, Tulsa, Okla., and Martin MacDonald, director of Conservation, Bass Pro Shops, Springfield, Mo., (re-elected) who will both serve the South Central Region; Aledia Hunt Tush, president, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, Sarasota, Fla., (re-elected) will serve the Southeast Region; and Terry Pederson, vice president of Sales, Daiwa Corporation, Cypress Calif., who will represent the West Region.
At-Large seats went to Paul Schluter, president, St. Croix Rods, Park Falls, Wis., (re-elected); K.C. Walsh, president, Simms Fishing Products, Bozeman, Mont.; and Gary Zurn, senior vice president, Marketing and Dealer Services, Big Rock Sports, Newport, N.C. (re-elected).
“We’ve got a great mix of talent, experience and perspective with the incoming board of directors who will compliment an already impressive group of individuals,” said Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO. “The members of the American Sportfishing Association will be well-served by these dynamic leaders, industry veterans and steadfast advocates for the sportfishing industry. I look forward to working with everyone and thank them for their time and support.”
Martin MacDonald, a current ASA board member was re-elected to serve his second, two-year term. MacDonald plans to bring his knowledge and experience to help make a difference in fisheries management issues. Jeff Pontius, who previously served as board Chairman, was elected to serve a new, two-year term. Pontius is focused on the long-term future of the sportfishing industry. Aledia Hunt Tush was re-elected to her second, two-year term, and wants to ensure the health of our nation’s fisheries and the industry’s future. Terry Pederson, a current member of the Trade Show and Advocacy Committees, was elected to his first two-year term. Pederson is dedicated to addressing fishery closures and the threats to angler access.
Paul Schluter was re-elected to serve his second, two-year term. Schluter plans to continue to volunteer his time and expertise to maintain a strong sportfishing industry. K.C. Walsh, who previously served as an Ex-officio board member, was elected to his first, two-year term. Walsh plans to work to more closely align the interests of the entire fishing community. Gary Zurn, the current Saltwater Government Affairs Committee chairman, was re-elected to his second, two-year term on the board. Zurn believes that a strong, financially sound association is best equipped to represent the industry and grow the sport.
The current members of the Board of Directors are: Gregg Wollner, Rapala, Chairman; Jeff Marble, Immediate Past Chairman; Dave Bulthuis, Costa, Vice Chairman; Peter Foley, Boone Bait Company, Inc., Treasurer; Donn Schaible, Wright & McGill Company, Acting Secretary; Dave Pfeiffer, Shimano American Corporation; Thom Dammrich, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Kirk Immens, Sportco Marketing, Inc.; Martin MacDonald, Bass Pro Shops; Chris Megan, On the Water, LLC; Dick Pool, Pro-Troll Fishing Products; Paul Schluter, St. Croix Rods; Aledia Hunt Tush, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters; Nick Wiley, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; and Gary Zurn, Big Rock Sports, LLC. Ex-officio members are: John Doerr, Pure Fishing; Ken Hammond, The Hammond Group; Tom Rolls, Cabela’s; and K. C. Walsh, Simms Fishing Products.
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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 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 economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
