Photo: L to R Top:  Mark Copley, Joe Opager, Brandon Palaniuk and Mike Valster

L to R Bottom: Neil Paul, Dan Quinn, Jay Yelas and Kevin VanDam

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For Immediate Release – February 9, 2022 – Eight new members have stepped in to assist with the efforts of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board of Directors, volunteering their time and talent to help celebrate, promote and preserve the sport of bass fishing.

“This group includes individuals who rank among the best professional bass anglers of all times, as well as those who know the ins-and-outs of the bass fishing industry and tournament operations, and their talents will only strengthen the Board,” said Todd Hammill of Wired2fish.com, who as chair of the Board’s nomination committee is charged with the all-important ‘road to induction’ process, and identifying both new Board and induction Selection Committee members

The new Board members include Mark Copley, who oversees media relations/pro staff management for Rather Outdoors; Joe Opager, director of communications for Major League Fishing (MLF); pro angler Brandon Palaniuk who burst onto the national bass fishing scene in 2010 by winning the B.A.S.S. Nation national championship; Neil Paul who serves as the Executive Director of Visit Anderson (South Carolina) and was instrumental in the development of Anderson County’s Green Pond Landing and Event Center on Lake Hartwell; Dan Quinn with Rapala where he is the Director of Field Promotions and Research & Development; Mike Valster whose Outdoor Brand Team firm assists fishing industry  companies in multiple roles of sales, management, marketing and brand building at all levels; and also two recent Bass Fishing HOF inductees including Kevin VanDamwho currently competes on the  Bass Pro Tour, and Elite Series pro Jay Yelas who also serves as executive director of the C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation.

“The new Board members, and their respective talents, are much needed as we move forward in fulfilling the mission of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame,” notes Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “Since establishing our partnership, and most importantly a permanent location for the Hall, within Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium, our efforts in honoring the greats of our sport have gained added recognition in the bass fishing world, as has the Board’s work is providing financial assistance to worthy organizations for conservation and participation awareness projects.”

The new Board members replace in part previous members Curt Arakawa with Daiwa, noted pro angler Guy Eaker, and T-H Marine founder Bill Huntley, all of whom served multiple terms on the Board. “We can’t thank Curt, Guy and Bill enough for not only being involved while the Bass Fishing HOF worked to discover its identity, but also for assisting us as it has become a key entity in the bass fishing world,” Mazurkiewicz added.

Other Board members for the Hall include Vice Presidents Daren Cole with Blue Heron Communications and Tim Carini with B.A.S.S., Treasurer (and past Board president) Donald Howell with Southern Sky Aviation, Steve Bowman with JM Associates/B.A.S.S., Todd Ceisner with In-Fisherman/OSG, Kathy Fennel with MLF, Gene Gilliland with B.A.S.S., Hammill, pro angler and Bass Talk Live host Matt Pangrac, Tim Price with Johnson Outdoors (Minn Kota/Humminbird), fishing/travel journalist Pete Robbins, restaurant executive Clifton Rutledge, Casey Shedd with AFTCO, and Bruce Stanton with PRADCO. Barbara Bowman serves as the organization’s executive director.

Additional information on all the Bass Fishing HOF Board members can be found on the organization’s website at https://www.bassfishinghof.com/the-board.