The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) held its annual board meeting at the Miami Boat Show and elected an All-Star board of directors representing a strong cross section of the recreational fishing sector.
Current board members Bob Healey, Chairman and CEO of the Viking Yacht Company, Jerry Straub Sr., Chief Financial Officer of Viking and Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA elected nine voluntary Directors at Large to join them on the RFA Board of Directors. The new Directors at Large are:
** * Pete Barrett**, Senior Editor, The Fisherman ** * Wayne Bisbee**, Chairman, World Billfish Series ** * Monita Fontaine, Esq.**, Vice President of Government Relations, NMMA ** * Fernando Garcia**, Director of Public & Regulatory Affairs, Bombardier Recreational Products ** * Pat Healey**, Executive Vice President, Viking Yacht Company ** * Mike Leech**, Ambassador at Large, International Game Fish Association ** * Mike Levitt, **Chairman & CEO, Michael’s Development Company ** * Bill Naumann, **President & CEO, Hatteras Yachts ** * Dean Samuelson, **President, Wellcraft Marine Corporation
“We face a number of marine fisheries issues today that will impact the quality of life of saltwater anglers and the bottom line of businesses in the recreational fishing industry,” said Bob Healey, Voluntary Chairman of the RFA. “We are very excited about the team we have assembled to help the RFA continue to grow and meet these challenges.”
“The RFA was incorporated in 1996 to combine the voting power of a large grassroots membership with the economic power of businesses in the industry to make positive changes in the way that our government manages our Nation’s saltwater fisheries,” said Jim Donofrio of the RFA. “The RFA has grown in size and influence over the last eight years and we are very excited about the potential of our organization.”
” An enlightened marine conservation and management effort is essential to preserving the American heritage of recreational fishing,” said Bill Naumann, President & CEO of Hatteras Yachts. “I am pleased to be joining the Board of the RFA and look forward to helping the organization sustain the leadership position they have taken in the fight to maintain adequate sport fishing stocks and opportunities.”
“All of us on the board are deeply concerned with fishery conservation,” said Mike Leech, Ambassador at Large for the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). “Fewer fish in the water impacts the entire recreational industry. I feel this is our primary challenge.”
“The members of our board bring tremendous insight, experience and leadership to the RFA,” said Paul Herron, RFA Business Manager. “We’re very pleased that these individuals and their organizations have made this commitment to the RFA Mission: to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries.”
