SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – To lead its efforts in honoring key contributors to the sport of bass fishing, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) Board of Directors voted in new officers for its executive committee at its recent Board meeting.
Re-elected BFHOF Board president, Donald Howell from Birmingham, Ala., will also chair the Board’s executive committee. Howell has served on the Board for more than 10 years, stepping into the president position in 2016. He played a major role in the BFHOF finally finding a permanent home within Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. Howell presided over the first induction dinner at the new venue in November 2017. He’s currently the CEO for LiT Coolers LLC which he helped launch in 2015, and prior to that, was a partner with the accounting firm Lovoy, Summerville and Shelton LLC in Birmingham.
Serving as vice-presidents of the Board and executive committee members are Steve Bowman from Little Rock, Ark., and John Mazurkiewicz from South Bend, Ind. As part of their VP roles, Bowman will also chair the Board’s silent auction/fundraising committee and will continue to assist the induction dinner committee. Mazurkiewicz will chair the nominations committee and assist the communications and membership committees.
Bowman has been a member of the BFHOF Board since 2011. He’s has been involved in the fishing as an outdoor writer, editor, photographer and book author for more than 30 years. He has been with JM Outdoors since 2000 as director of web content, where he heads up tournament coverage for Bassmaster.com and produces the Bassmaster television show and “Bassmaster LIVE.”
As owner of Catalyst Marketing since 1993, Mazurkiewicz continues to provide media relations and advertising services to leading brands in the fishing tackle industries, including his firm’s current long-time relationship with Shimano North America Fishing Inc., and past efforts for 3M Scientific Anglers, and Brunswick Marine Fishing Boat Group. A member of the BFHOF Board since 2010, he also plays an active role with the American Sportfishing Association, where he chairs the industry group’s communications committee.
Daren Cole takes on the BFHOF executive committee’s secretary/treasurer position, and will chair the Board’s annual induction dinner. A member of the Board since 2015, Cole is the global brand director for Navico, focusing on Lowrance Electronics. Prior to joining Navico in 2010, Cole was marketing manager for Skeeter Performance Fishing Boats, and has also held positions with ESPN Outdoors/B.A.S.S. and was the owner of a marketing agency specializing in go-to-market activation for marine related clientele.
“Having Donald, Steve, John and Daren in these positions assures the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame continues its mission and continues it with sound leadership and financial judgment,” said Dr. Hobson Bryan, outgoing Board VP and professor emeritus at the University of Alabama. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with all of them, and we all share the same passion for the sport of bass fishing.”
Along with Dr. Bryan who now serves on the induction dinner and membership committees, Dave Precht, VP publications and communications at B.A.S.S., and Amanda Murski, owner at Murski Breeding Sales, no longer serve on the executive committee but continue as BFHOF board members. Precht now chairs the Board’s communications committee overseeing publicity efforts and the website. Murski will serve on the silent auction/fundraising committee. Tim Carini, advertising account executive for Outdoor Sportsman Group, will again chair the BFHOF membership committee. Carini has been a board member since 2013.
Other BFHOF Board members include Gary Clouse with Phoenix Boats, pro bass angler Guy Ecker Sr., B.A.S.S. conservation director Gene Gilliland, Bill Huntley with T-H Marine, and Jeff Pontius with Zebco Brands.