Press Releases

ALEXANDRIA, VA (January 31, 2007) – The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) today is announcing Frank Peterson, Jr. as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Peterson will manage all aspects of RBFF operations and assume responsibility for meeting the strategic goals set by RBFF leadership.

Peterson brings to RBFF more than 20 years of leadership and business development expertise with both non-profit and for-profit organizations. “I’m extremely excited about this opportunity,” he said. “Maximizing the value and usage of RBFF’s programs and products is my top priority. I love boating and fishing and look forward to making sure we achieve success.”

“Frank brings outstanding qualifications and a track record of success to the organization,” said RBFF Board Chairman-Elect and NMMA President Thom Dammrich. “RBFF was founded to address declining participation rates and that challenge has only increased with an overall decline in outdoor recreation participation. It’s more important now than ever before to have exceptional marketing expertise at the helm and we believe Frank’s proven ability to deliver innovative solutions and measurable results will be a great fit for RBFF as the organization continues to focus on helping people discover, share and protect the legacy of fishing and boating.”

Prior to joining RBFF, Peterson was a vice president and general manager for Marketing General Incorporated (MGI) – one of North America’s largest marketing and direct response agencies - where he provided strategic planning, vision, leadership and business development for MGI’s Media Sales Division, including list management and brokerage, advertising and media sales. He has been the founder and president of two very successful companies – Catalyst Communications, Inc. and The Peterson Group. He also worked at ExxonMobil, where he held a variety of management positions from managing a sales force to developing new products and services for customers. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Mercy College.

Peterson succeeds Bruce Matthews, who joined RBFF in 1999 as the organization’s founding President and CEO. During Matthews’ tenure, RBFF successfully launched the Take Me Fishing™ campaign targeted to occasional and lapsed anglers and the popular Anglers’ Legacy program that encourages avid anglers to take someone new fishing.

“RBFF has come a long way from its early days and Bruce’s influence has been invaluable,” said RBFF Board Chairman and ZEBCO President Jeff Pontius. “His leadership has helped unite a large and diverse group of fishing and boating stakeholders in support of two common goals - to grow participation and pass on the legacy that is fishing and boating.”

Peterson officially assumes his new role on Wednesday, February 21, 2007.           

About RBFF

RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby increasing public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving and restoring America’s aquatic natural resources. Recreational boating and fishing are America’s favorite sporting activities, with more than 50 million people participating every year—more than golf and tennis combined.

For more information contact Stephanie West at 703-519-0013, ext. 105 or swest@rbff.org.