Friday, February 5, 2016

Zebco's Smitts Accepts F3 Board of Directors Chairperson Role

Zebco's Steve Smitts Accepts Future Fisherman Foundation Board of Directors Chairperson Role

Steve Smitts, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Zebco brands has accepted the position of Board Chairman for the Future Fisherman Foundation. Smitts is taking over for longtime F3 Board chairperson, Kerry Campbell, who has stepped down to devote more time to family after a career of leading the F3 Foundation.

"The countries fishing community owes Kerry Campbell a debt of gratitude," F3 Executive Director, Mark Gintert, said. "Her tireless efforts to work with a series of strategic partners and help this foundation develop legendary programs like Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs has kept this organization on track and focused on the foundations goal of ensuring the future of fishing. A lot of people in this industry talk about the youth of America being the future of the sport," Gintert continued. "Kerry put her heart, time and resources behind the effort."

"I'm so proud of everything the Future Fisherman Foundation has accomplished," Campbell, who will continue to serve on the board stated. "Programs like Hooked on Fishing not On Drugs, Physh Ed, Boy and Girls Clubs and Aquatic Educators have made a huge difference in the lives of over 1 million youth. The addition of the Super Fish program will add continuity to the programs. This will ensure that fishing becomes a lifetime skill starting with elementary students and carried on to high school and college students," Campbell continued. "I've been blessed to be a part of watching the Foundation grow into a group of individuals committed to building a generation of youth with a passion for the outdoors."

Smitts will lead the legendary foundation that has continued to be at the forefront of getting young anglers on the water for decades. "Eighteen months ago I was thrilled to join the Future Fisherman Foundation Board and now it's a special honor to be invited to serve as Chairperson," Smitts stated. "I hope to continue the excellent stewardship provided by Kerry Campbell during her term and I continue to believe there's much more we can and must do to help children and aspiring anglers experience the joys of fishing. This continues to be a priority for Zebco Brands, as it is for many of the fine participants in our industry," Smitts continued. "We must continue to leverage manufacturers, retailers, outdoor educators, conservation groups, youth groups and others to help grow and sustain our sport."

About the Future Fisherman Foundation
Established in 1986, the Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) unites the sportfishing industry and a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups, youth organizations and other educators dedicated to introducing America's youth to angling, conservation and the outdoors lifestyle. The Future Fisherman Foundation (F3) operates under The Bass Federation (TBF) umbrella of companies and is the official education arm of TBF. For more info visit futurefisherman.org.