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American Sportfishing Association Elects New Board of Directors Members
by Mary Jane Williamson

June 21, 2006—Alexandria, VA—Six new members of the American Sportfishing Association’s Board of Directors were recently elected to fill three At-Large seats and three Regional seats, with their terms beginning October 1, 2006. The Board includes 16-21 members who serve 2-year terms.

Regional seats went to Jeff Marble, Frabill, Inc., who will serve the Great Lakes Region, Jay Jolly, Boater’s World Marine Centers, who will serve the Northeast Region and Gregg Wollner, Normark Corporation, who will serve the Northern Plains and Inter-Mountain Region.

At-large seats went to Burt Steinberg, American Rod & Gun, Chip Powell, Mason Tackle Co. and Jeff Pontius, ZEBCO/WC Bradley,who was re-elected.

"Our members have once again selected great leadership for our Board," said Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO. "The time and effort required to be a Board member is considerable and I want to thank these individuals for their willingness to serve. The association will be well-served by these industry leaders and their commitment to the sportfishing community.”

Jeff Marble, president and CEO, Frabill, Inc., has been a member of ASA for 22 years. He believes that through teamwork and a unified force, ASA can chart a course of success and mutual prosperity throughout the industry. Jay Jolly, vice president, Boater’s World Marine Centers, plans to serve by combining his 15 years of experience in the fishing and boating industries and his position as a member of the Board of Directors for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) to extend fishing participation and protection of fisheries. Gregg Wollner, executive vice-president, Normark Corporation, intends to be an active and effective representative for all ASA’s members.

Burt Steinberg, president of American Rod & Gun, has over 40 years of experience in the industry. Steinberg has previously served four terms on the Board, including a term as Chairman. Chip Powell, president, Mason Tackle Co., also a former Board chairman, has served on the board several times and has headed or sat on nearly every ASA committee. Jeff Pontius, president, ZEBCO/WC Bradley, and the Chairman of the Board for RBFF, returns to ASA’s Board with a mission to help the association and industry move forward.

The Board of Directors represents the American Sportfishing Association’s more than 600 members. The Board sets priorities and develops strategies to address the business interests of the industry and advance fishing participation and fisheries conservation. The Board also oversees the association’s revenues, investments and spending.

The current members of the Board of Directors are: David Pfeiffer, Shimano American Corporation (Chairman); Randy Lemcke, Plano Molding Company (Vice Chairman); Gary Zurn, Big Rock Sports, LLC (Secretary); Peter Foley, Boone Bait Company (Treasurer); John Cooper, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks; Thomas Dammrich, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Ed Dinkins, Bass Pro Shops; Clem Dippel, BASS/ESPN Outdoors; J. David Burkhardt, Triple Fish International, LLC; Jim Lebson, G. Loomis, Inc.; Geoff Ratte, Water Gremlin Company; Tom Fote, Jersey Coast Anglers Association (At-large); Bob Eakes, Red Drum Tackle Shop, Inc.; John Jilling, Wright McGill Company; Darrell Lowrance, Lowrance Electronics, Inc.; and Bert Kaplan, Kaplan Associates (Ex-officio).

The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 600 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing.

© Copyright 2008 American Sportfishing Association. All rights reserved.