ASA President, CEO Mike Nussman announces retirement

After decades of dedicated Capitol Hill service on advocating for fisheries resource conservation and management, and as the leader for the recreational fishing industry’s trade association, the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Mike Nussman will retire March 31, 2018.

ASA posted a news release announcing Nussman’s retirement late Thursday.

Nussman joined the association in December 1992 as Vice President of Government Affairs which included serving as chief lobbyist and overseeing the trade show and conservation programs.

In September 2001, ASA’s board of directors unanimously voted to hire him as President and CEO.

“From the beginning, I believed that by serving our members’ business needs with a knowledgeable staff, providing programs and services that benefit the industry and maintaining fiscal responsibility the industry would be well-served by the association,” said Nussman.“When we stand together to advance and protect our shared interests, the sportfishing industry has far greater influence than would otherwise be possible. This has always been true, and it’s even more consequential today.”

While Nussman has been influential on numerous pieces of legislation from Sport Fish Restoration to the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, he was a driving force for the legislation that established the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) which has provided nearly $100 million for a nationwide, collaborative campaign to promote these outdoor pastimes.

In addition to establishing RBFF, Nussman also worked to elevate and extend ASA’s Government Affairs efforts and impact by developing strategic partnerships with federal and state agencies and other associations and organizations.

Nussman will remain as ASA’s President and CEO until March 2018.

The association’s board of directors will announce Nussman’s successor after its Tuesday, Oct. 10, meeting during the 2017 Sportfishing Summit being held Oct. 10 to Oct. 13, at the Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater Beach, Fla.