Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (June 11, 2013) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced four new members of its Board of Directors: Glenn Hughes, the Vice President/Group Publisher of Bonnier Corporation/World Publications’ Marine & Aviation Group; Steve Miller, Director of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Facilities and Lands; Bruce Rich, Fisheries Division Administrator of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks; and Steven Williams, the former Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and current president of the Wildlife Management Institute. All four of the new board members will work with RBFF to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, which contributes to the protection and restoration of the nation’s aquatic natural resources.
“We are thrilled to have these outstanding leaders join our mission to attract more Americans to recreational boating and fishing,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “Each brings with him a different, valued area of experience and knowledge. Glenn Hughes comes to us from steering numerous popular recreational boating and fishing publications, Steve Miller and Bruce Rich from state management, and Steven Williams from the non-profit world and national policy.”
Glenn Hughes is responsible for many of Bonnier Corporation’s marine brands, including Cruising World, Sailing World, Sport Fishing, Salt Water Sportsman, Marlin, and Fly Fishing in Salt Waters. Along with Sport Fishing television programming, these print and digital assets reach more than three million marine enthusiasts. Hughes is also responsible for major fishing tournaments and seminars. A lifelong boater, water skier, fisherman and sailor, Hughes earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. “Based on my lifelong love of boating and fishing, and my 25 years of experience working in the respective industries, I believe I add a perspective of participant as well as stakeholder. We will support the efforts of RBFF to share the messaging and extend the reach to get more people involved.”
As Director of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Facilities and Lands, Steve Miller is responsible for the real estate, property management, planning, and capital budget and development program for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lands and properties. As a 39-year career employee of the Wisconsin DNR, Miller has a variety of field and central office experience. He has represented various committees of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and has served on the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture Management Board. Miller is the Past President of the State’s Organization for Boating Access (SOBA). He has an M.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology. Miller says, “Because recreational fishing and boating are central to Wisconsin life and its economy, I’m excited to further RBFF’s mission to increase participation.”
Bruce Rich is a career fisheries professional with more than 30 years of experience in fisheries management and conservation. Representing the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks since 1996, Rich currently holds the position of Fisheries Division Administrator (State Chief of Fisheries), and previously served as the Regional Fisheries Manager in Bozeman. Before that he worked for the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. A life-member and former state officer in the American Fisheries Society, Rich holds an M.S. degree in Fisheries from the University of Idaho. “I have both a personal and professional passion for the recruitment and retention of anglers,” Rich said. “I am delighted to join RBFF to further their mission to increase participation in boating, fishing and conservation of America’s waterways.”
Prior to his position as President of the Wildlife Management Institute, Steven Williams served as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, and before that as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Deputy Executor Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Assistant Director for Wildlife for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Williams, who holds a Ph.D. in Forest Resources from Pennsylvania State University, has built a strong reputation for bringing diverse stakeholders together. “I’m passionate about conservation,” said Williams. “So doing my part to help RBFF bring more people to recreational fishing and boating, activities that contribute to conservation efforts, is a great, natural fit.”
A full list of RBFF board members is available online.
About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
Celebrating 15 years in 2013, 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 developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ campaign to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing helps boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign website, TakeMeFishing.org, features tips and how-to’s that can be used all over the country, tools to compare different styles of boats, 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.
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