Press Releases

Ken Hammond Elected New Board Chairman of RBFF
Foundation That Promotes Conservation through Boating & Fishing Participation Elects New Board of Directors Members

ALEXANDRIA, VA (March 25, 2009) – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today announced Ken Hammond as the organization’s new board chairman. Hammond, who currently serves as chairman and CEO for independent sporting goods and outdoor product sales company The Hammond Group, will work closely with RBFF leadership to meet its mission.

Hammond has been on RBFF’s board of directors since 2003 and has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the fishing and marine products industry.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Ken on the board during the last two years,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “His proven leadership in sales and marketing, together with his deep understanding of the boating and fishing industries and RBFF’s mission and goals make him an ideal chairman.” 

“I am delighted to be elected chairman of RBFF’s board of directors and I’m looking forward to helping the organization continue its momentum,” said Hammond. “Now more than ever we need to make sure people are aware of the benefits of boating and fishing and the resources available to them through RBFF’s programs and products. Participation is critical to the success of the boating and fishing industries and the aquatic resources they rely on, and I’m thrilled to be working with a group that gives back.”

Hammond is active in anti-drug and stay-in-school campaigns including “Hook a Kid on Fishing.” He has served on several industry boards including the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA), the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and the Sport Fishing Institute (SFI). Hammond attended Baylor University in Texas.

Officially elected at RBFF’s January 2009 board meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Hammond succeeds National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) President Thom Dammrich.

Also at the January board meeting, RBFF announced new members who were appointed to the board of directors. RBFF recognized appointments from the following organizations to serve a three-year term:

Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) –

  • Roger Fuhrman, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Marc Johnson, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

NMMA – 

  • Christopher Berg, BRP US (Outdoor Engine Division)

ASA & NMMA jointly –

  • Stan Lippelman, Bass Pro Shops

Sport Fishing & Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC) –

  • Lenora Clark, BoatU.S. National Advisory Council
  • Wendy Larimer, Association of Marina Industries

“The board helped guide us through a productive year in which we launched a new TakeMeFishing.org Web site and social network, reached the 100,000 Ambassador milestone for our Anglers’ Legacy program, helped the states sell more than 223,000 fishing licenses and awarded nine education grants nationwide,” said Peterson. “We welcome our new board members and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”

Additionally, retiring from the board were John Hoagland, Mercury Marine; Jay Jolly, Boater’s World; Carl Richardson, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; and Lydia Saldaña, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The board also appointed the following officers to serve on board committees:

Executive Committee

  • Ken Hammond, The Hammond Group, Chairman
  • Thom Dammrich, NMMA, Vice Chairman
  • K.C. Walsh, Simms Fishing Products, Secretary
  • Fred Messmann, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Treasurer
  • At-Large:
    • Wayne Shuyler, Oregon State Marine Board
    • Dave Chanda, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
    • Mike Nussman, ASA

Finance Committee

  • Fred Messmann, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Chairman
  • Thom Dammrich, NMMA
  • Matt Hogan, AFWA 
  • Tom Sadler, The Trust for Public Land
  • Mike Nussman, ASA

Audit Committee

  • K.C. Walsh, Simms Fishing Products, Chairman
  • Ron Payer, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Jason Scruggs, Brunswick Corporation

A full list of RBFF board members is available on RBFF.org.

About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.

Heather Sieber 703-778-5160