BOARD OF DIRECTORS

USAngling’s Board of Directors is composed of dedicated volunteers who bring diverse experience across competitive sport, conservation, youth development, business, and community leadership. United by a shared commitment to integrity, stewardship, and service, Board members guide the organization in support of athletes, communities, and the future of angling.

JOHN FORD

Pennsylvania

Board Chairman
jford@usangling.org

Tony Forte, President of USAngling
TONY FORTE

North Carolina

Board President
tforte@usangling.org

MICHAEL BRAND

Missouri

Board Vice President
mbrand@usangling.org

AMANDA FOX MOSER

Florida

Board Member
amoser@usangling.org

MIKE MCNETT

Illinois

Freshwater Sports Director
mdmcnett@usangling.org

PJ Perea
PJ PEREA

South Carolina

Board Member
pjperea@usangling.org

Brett Erickson
BRETT ERICKSON

Illinois

JOHN FEASEL

North Carolina

Board Member
jfeasel@usangling.org

PAUL BOURCQ

North Carolina

Board Member
pbourcq@usangling.org

JOEL MCDEARMON

Wisconsin

Leadership, Governance, Conservation, and the Future of Angling

USAngling is a national organization supporting fishing education, conservation leadership, outdoor ethics, athlete development, and international competitive angling opportunities. Through responsible governance, environmental stewardship, education, and ethical leadership, USAngling helps strengthen the future of fishing and outdoor recreation across the United States and around the world.

The USAngling Board of Directors helps guide and shape the future of:

  • competitive angling
  • fishing education
  • conservation and stewardship
  • athlete development
  • outdoor leadership
  • community engagement

The Board works to ensure USAngling programs, partnerships, competitions, and initiatives align with the organization’s:

  • Values
  • Vision
  • Mission
  • Strategic Priorities
  • Organizational Pillars

USAngling leadership is grounded in:

  • integrity
  • accountability
  • conservation stewardship
  • ethical leadership
  • responsible governance
  • service to the fishing and outdoor community
Strategic Governance and Organizational Leadership

Guiding Long-Term Growth and Sustainability

The USAngling Board of Directors oversees long-term planning, governance, and organizational leadership for USAngling programs and initiatives.

The Board works closely with:

  • officers
  • Technical Commissions
  • coaches
  • volunteers
  • conservation leaders
  • community partners
  • athletes and Sport Teams

To help ensure USAngling remains:

  • transparent
  • ethical
  • financially responsible
  • environmentally responsible
  • mission-focused

Board responsibilities include:

  • strategic planning and organizational development
  • financial stewardship and accountability
  • ethical governance and leadership oversight
  • athlete welfare and competition integrity
  • conservation and environmental stewardship
  • fishing education and community outreach
  • support for safe fishing and responsible outdoor recreation
  • long-term sustainability and organizational growth

These responsibilities help strengthen public trust and support the long-term future of fishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation.

Conservation Leadership and Environmental Stewardship

Protecting Waterways, Fisheries, and Outdoor Environments

The USAngling Board believes conservation and environmental stewardship are essential to the future of fishing and outdoor recreation.

Board leadership supports:

  • conservation education initiatives
  • clean water awareness programs
  • sustainable fishing practices
  • catch-and-release education
  • habitat and ecosystem protection
  • outdoor ethics and environmental responsibility
  • stewardship of public waterways and natural resources

The Board encourages conservation-focused approaches across:

  • freshwater fishing programs
  • saltwater fishing opportunities
  • fly fishing education
  • competitive angling events
  • youth and family fishing activities

By supporting stewardship and conservation leadership, the Board helps protect fisheries, waterways, habitats, and outdoor environments for future generations.

Athlete, Youth, and Community Program Oversight

Supporting Education, Leadership, and Outdoor Participation

The Board supports programs nationwide that provide:

  • fishing education
  • athlete development
  • outdoor learning opportunities
  • mentorship and leadership training
  • conservation and stewardship education
  • safe fishing and water safety instruction

Board leadership helps support:

  • youth fishing education and outdoor experiences
  • athlete development and competition pathways
  • leadership and volunteer development initiatives
  • family and community fishing programs
  • freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and fly fishing education
  • outdoor ethics and environmental stewardship learning
  • mentorship and community engagement opportunities

These programs help participants develop:

  • fishing and angling skills
  • confidence and leadership abilities
  • conservation awareness
  • environmental responsibility
  • sportsmanship and teamwork
  • lifelong appreciation for outdoor recreation

The Board helps ensure USAngling programs remain educational, inclusive, safe, conservation-focused, and community-centered.

Ethical Competition and Athlete Welfare

Promoting Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Responsible Leadership

USAngling’s Board establishes high standards for:

  • ethical competition
  • athlete welfare
  • sportsmanship
  • transparency
  • responsible leadership

The Board promotes:

  • fair competition practices
  • respect for athletes, officials, volunteers, and communities
  • safe and inclusive event environments
  • transparent rules and competition standards
  • positive international representation of the United States
  • outdoor ethics and responsible recreation

Board leadership helps ensure USAngling athletes, coaches, and volunteers compete with:

  • professionalism
  • integrity
  • accountability
  • conservation awareness
  • respect for natural resources and local communities

These standards strengthen trust, credibility, and ethical leadership throughout competitive angling.

Community Accountability and Public Trust

Serving the Fishing and Outdoor Community

The USAngling Board is committed to:

  • transparency
  • accountability
  • public trust
  • responsible governance
  • community service

Board members work with:

  • volunteers
  • coaches
  • athletes
  • conservation leaders
  • educators
  • community organizations
  • outdoor recreation partners

to help support programs that create positive impacts for fishing and outdoor communities nationwide.

The Board helps ensure USAngling remains:

  • mission-focused
  • community-centered
  • ethically governed
  • environmentally responsible
  • committed to long-term sustainability

This leadership structure helps build public confidence in USAngling’s mission, governance, conservation efforts, and educational programs.

Experienced Volunteer Leadership

Serving with Integrity, Stewardship, and Responsibility

USAngling’s Board of Directors is made up of dedicated volunteer leaders with experience in:

  • competitive angling
  • athlete development
  • conservation leadership
  • youth education
  • community engagement
  • nonprofit governance
  • business leadership
  • outdoor program management

Board members are committed to:

  • ethical leadership
  • environmental stewardship
  • outdoor ethics
  • education and mentorship
  • responsible governance
  • protecting the future of fishing and outdoor recreation

The Board helps guide USAngling in supporting:

  • athletes and Sport Teams
  • healthy waterways and fisheries
  • conservation and stewardship initiatives
  • youth and family fishing programs
  • lifelong outdoor participation
A Long-Term Commitment to Leadership and Stewardship

Guiding the Future of USAngling

The USAngling Board of Directors helps guide organizational growth while remaining focused on:

  • education
  • conservation
  • athlete development
  • ethical competition
  • outdoor leadership
  • community involvement

Through strategic planning, responsible governance, environmental stewardship, and leadership development, the Board helps USAngling:

  • strengthen fishing communities
  • support outdoor education
  • protect clean waters and fisheries
  • expand conservation awareness
  • encourage ethical competition
  • create safe and meaningful outdoor experiences
  • build lifelong participation in fishing and outdoor recreation

USAngling leadership remains committed to serving anglers, communities, future athletes, conservation efforts, and outdoor environments with integrity, accountability, stewardship, and responsible leadership.

Get Involved with USAngling Leadership

You can learn more about USAngling leadership by:

  • exploring USAngling governance and leadership programs
  • learning about conservation and stewardship initiatives
  • supporting youth and athlete development opportunities
  • participating in community leadership and volunteer programs
  • promoting outdoor ethics and responsible recreation
  • helping strengthen fishing education and conservation awareness

USAngling’s Board of Directors believes ethical leadership, conservation stewardship, outdoor ethics, athlete development, environmental responsibility, and accountable governance are essential to the future of angling and outdoor recreation.