Over the next few weeks we’re going to be highlighting members of our Board of Directors who are seeking re-election, or will be continuing their current term after the 2018 election this October 12th. If you are a current AFFTA member and want to join other industry leaders in shaping the future of fly fishing for generations to come, consider running for the AFFTA Board. Submit your bio before Friday, September 21st. All details can be found here.
Employed at Umpqua for more than sixteen of Umpqua’s 45 year history, Brent has spent every working day tackling the challenges of helping retailers succeed through better product, manufacturing, distribution, delivery, innovation and promotion. Having worked in sales, production and operations at Umpqua, now as Director of Product, applying all of that experience and knowledge to new product development has helped Umpqua see fresh growth and a new excitement about the future.
A love of flies is what brought him to Umpqua and is also what keeps him there. He has been lucky enough to collaborate on bringing some of the most innovative products to market in our industry working with great innovators like “Copper John” Barr, Charlie “Ju Ju” Craven and Blane “Game-Changer” Chocklett.
Brent has made a commitment to Umpqua, our industry, and our natural resources out of a love for our sport. He’s currently in his second year of a three year Board term.
Why is AFFTA Board service important to you (personally and professionally)?
AFFTA board service is import to me personally because it gives me the opportunity to connect and build relationships with the people in this industry that care the most about its success. Opportunities to learn and collaborate are common and extremely rewarding. Professionally, it gives me an inside view of other business and also a bigger picture of the industry as a whole. Knowing and understanding these things make me and Umpqua better at what we do in the long-run.
What work are we doing as an organization that gets you excited?
As chair of the Science & Policy Committee, I get most excited about opportunities to learn what issues are most important to our membership and to make sure our position is well-communicated to influencers and decision-makers. Lobbying in D.C. the last two years to promote everything from public land access to science-based fisheries management has been one of the most interesting and rewarding things I’ve ever done in this industry.