The South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance board of directors elected Russ Tomlinson, president of Sportsman Boats & Phenom Yachts, as chairman at its year-end board meeting earlier this month. Tomlinson succeeds founding chairman Chris Butler of Butler Marine.
“Our state’s boating and fishing industries are not just vital to South Carolina’s economy, but are also deeply ingrained in our way of life,” Tomlinson said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the incredible foundation laid by founding chairman Chris Butler and working alongside the SCBFA board, members and partners to protect and grow these industries while preserving the natural resources that make them thrive.”
Additional leadership appointments announced at the meeting included vice chairman Ryan Marcott, president of Bentley Pontoons; secretary Alan Lang, director of sales and marketing at Scout Boats; and treasurer Grant Kaple, general manager of Hilton Head Boathouse, who will continue in his role.
The SCBFA is a nonprofit membership organization representing the state’s boatbuilders and fishing-tackle manufacturers, which generate a $6.5-plus-billion annual economic impact and support 27,100 jobs.
