American Sportfishing Association Elects New Board Members

Six new members of the American Sportfishing Association’s Board of Directors were elected this summer to fill three regional seats and three At-Large seats, with their terms beginning Oct.1. 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 re-elected.

At-large seats went to John Jilling, Wright & McGill Co., Gary Zurn, Big Rock Sports, both re-elected; and Geoff Ratté, Water Gremlin Co., who has served on ASA’s Board in the past.

"The re-election 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 Raté , 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, and 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. ASA gives 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. ASA invests 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.