This is really impressive. Twenty-eight people have thrown their fishing hats into the proverbial ring for the nine seats available on the American Fly Fishing Trade Associations board.
As a board member this is a really exciting time. After some of the kicking around that AFFTA has gotten, deserved or not, the fact that so many people wanted to be part of the solution is wonderful. With so many folks stepping up to not just be a member but be a part of the leadership of AFFTA shows that folks care about having a strong trade association.
If you are not a member of AFFTA you can’t vote so now might be a good time to join. AFFTA is changing and you should be a part of it.
You can find Membership benefits info here.
The candidates are listed below with links to the information they sent in to AFFTA.
Eric Anderson, Owner – Bighorn River Fly Fisher
Larry Barrett, Director Operations and Technology – Farbank
Crispin Battles, Editor/Art Director – Fly Fish America
Andrew Bennett, President – Deneki Outdoors
John Bleh, Owner – Strategic Outdoor Marketing
Dustin Carlson, Owner – Fishwest
Bruce Chard, Owner & CEO – Captain Bruce Chard Fishing Charters
Riley Cotter, International Sales Manager – Umpqua Feather Merchants
Jerry Darkes, Owner – Angling Consulting Services, Inc
Charles Dohs, President & Co-Founder – Fishhound.com
Jon Fisher, Managing Member – Urban Angler
Katheryn Fox, National Program Director – Casting for Recovery
Mike Gawtry, Product Line Manager Fishing/Hunting – LL Bean
Ali Gentry, Owner & CEO – El Pescador Lodge
Scott Harkins, Owner – San Miguel Mnt. & River Products
Chris Hart, Owner – Sundown River Products, Inc.
David S. Heller, President & Co-Owner – Ross Reels USA/Ross Worldwide Outdoors
Jim Murphy, President – Hardy North America
Al Noraker, Designer, Senior Merchandise Manager – Wright McGill
David Olson, Managing Partner – The Fly Shop of Miami
Clint Packo, Owner – Freestone Aquatics
Pat Pendergast, Director of International Travel – The Fly Shop Inc.
John Pinto, Owner – B&C Manufacturing & Import
Curt Schlesinger, President – Trout & Grouse
Kevin Sousa, CEO – March Brown Limited
Guy Tillotson, Owner – Grand Slam Group
Jeff Wieringa, Business Development Manager – Scientific Anglers
Dusty Wissmath, Director – Dusty Wissmath’s Fly Fish School/Guide Service