MINNETONKA, Minn. ? Rapala® USA, a member of the Rapala VMC Group, the world’s leading fishing tackle manufacturer, today announced avid angler and longtime industry partner Rodney Sahr will join the company as regional sales manager. Sahr will focus on continuing to grow Rapala & Respected Rapala Brands sales in Florida, the No. 1 sport fishing market in the world.

A natural choice for the position, Sahr brings impressive angling expertise and an encyclopedic knowledge of Rapala & Respected Rapala Brands and their respective products to the sales team. Prior to joining the company, Sahr played a major role in promoting the brands’ premium products to anglers throughout the region as a member of the Rapala and Jones & Company, Rapala’s south eastern regional sales agency, pro-staff teams. Over the past decade, Sahr also worked with Columbia Sportswear Company as part of its sales force, managing key retailer relationships throughout coastal markets vital to Rapala’s ongoing growth in the saltwater category.

“Rodney’s knowledge of the Florida fishing market is virtually unmatched,” says Travis Tuma, director of sales at Rapala USA. “His background in sales combined with his passion for sport fishing make him the perfect fit to achieve our long-term sales growth in the Florida and to help cement Rapala’s position as the most trusted name in fishing among Florida anglers.”

Sahr’s appointment to regional sales manager continues Rapala’s overarching marketing strategy of increasing preference for its products among coastal anglers nationwide. With the expansion of the Rapala Coastal lineup in recent years, the brand has provided saltwater anglers with more best-in-class lures, tools and accessories specifically designed to stand up to the rigors of saltwater fishing than ever before. Sahr will work closely with the company’s sales, marketing and product development teams to provide regional anglers the tools to catch more and bigger fish year after year.

“Having worked with Rodney for nearly a decade, I’ve always considered him part of the Rapala family. Now, we’re thrilled to report he is officially joining the team,” said Matt Jensen, director of marketing at Rapala USA. “Rodney’s knowledge of saltwater fishing, his well-known work ethic and professionalism will help the Rapala brand reach new heights within the category. We couldn’t be more excited about his future with Rapala USA.”

About Rapala:

Rapala was unofficially founded in 1936 when Lauri Rapala invented the Rapala fishing lure and has grown from humble beginnings to become a market leader in the fishing tackle industry. The brand’s functionality and high quality are known by anglers worldwide. Rapala maintains its strict standards of craftsmanship while delivering its fishing products to anglers in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information on Rapala, please visit www.rapala.com or www.facebook.com/RapalaUSA.