Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (January 18, 2017) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. Diane Bristol, Ken Hammond and Glenn Hughes will work closely with RBFF leadership to meet its mission, including its goal to increase participation from the current level of 47 million anglers to 60 million in 60 months.
“Diane, Ken and Glenn all bring unique perspectives to our Board, and I’m eager to hear their thoughts as we move closer to that 60 million angler mark,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We look forward to the immediate impact each of these individuals will have on our organization as we work to bring fishing and boating to the forefront of outdoor recreation.”
Diane Bristol comes to the RBFF Board of Directors from Simms Fishing Products, where she is the Senior Director of Employee and Community Engagement. At Simms, in addition to serving the 180-person team in Bozeman through organizational & professional development, Diane is responsible for managing the company’s contributions to and involvement with fisheries conservation organizations, from the local level to national organizations. During her 25-year tenure at Simms, Diane has served in many leadership roles, including Marketing & Brand Management, Product Development and Customer Service. While serving in these management positions, Simms achieved significant growth and won numerous awards. On a personal note, Diane is an avid angler, currently serves on the Executive Committee for Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation and has served on the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) and the International Women Fly Fishers’ Board of Directors.
Returning to the Board is Ken Hammond of The Hammond Group, an independent sporting goods and outdoor product sales company. Hammond was a member of RBFF’s Board of Directors from 2003 until 2016, when Jeff Marble took over his role as Chairman of the Board. Ken once again brings over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the fishing and outdoor recreation industry to the table. Through initiatives like “Hook a Kid on Fishing” and others, Hammond has worked to keep youth out of drugs and in school. In addition to RBFF’s Board, Hammond has served on several fishing and boating industry boards, including the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA), the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Sport Fishing Institute (SFI).
Replacing the retiring Mike Nussman on RBFF’s Board will be future ASA President, Glenn Hughes, also a returning Board member and former RBFF Boating Task Force Chairman. Glenn is no stranger to RBFF and the fishing industry, having been brought on to ASA’s staff in 2013 as VP of Industry Relations. In 1991, Hughes joined Bonnier Corporation and ascended to the rank of Vice President/Group Publisher in his 22 years with the company, becoming a leader in fishing and boating publications, including Sport Fishing, Saltwater Sportsman and Boating. As an angler, Hughes fished the lakes of Pennsylvania and the Jersey Shore in his youth and continued his passion for angling while living in Florida for more than 20 years, and now fishes the Chesapeake Bay from his home in Annapolis, Maryland.
The RBFF Board of Directors is made up of 24 individuals who have been appointed by RBFF and industry and state agency organizations. The full list of RBFF Board of Directors members is available online.
About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF's recently announced 60-in-60 effort strives to attract 60 million anglers to the sport by the end of 2021. To help recruit, retain and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns creating awareness about boating, fishing and conservation, and educating people about the benefits of participation. These campaigns help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org and TakeMeFishing.org/es, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.
