Leading Executives in Bait and Tackle Stores
Johnny Morris
Founder & CEO, Bass Pro Shops (incl. Cabela’s)
Founder and long‑time industry kingmaker who turned an 8‑square‑foot tackle counter into North America’s largest destination outfitter; today serves as founder/majority owner and CEO and a prominent conservation patron.
Paul Stone
Chief Executive Officer, Sportsman’s Warehouse
Outdoor‑specialty retail veteran who took the helm in November 2023 after senior roles at Cabela’s and Hertz; driving store experience, e‑commerce and private‑label growth.
Steve P. Lawrence
Chief Executive Officer, Academy Sports + Outdoors
Merchandising operator turned chief executive (June 2023) steering one of the country’s largest outdoor and fishing retailers with a value‑led, omnichannel playbook.
Matt Hanson
Chief Executive Officer, SCHEELS
CEO leading the employee‑owned destination retailer’s rapid expansion, with multiple 2025–2028 megastores announced and a heavy focus on fishing and family experiences.
Patrick Gill
Founder & CEO, TackleDirect (eCommerce Outdoors)
Early e‑commerce pioneer who founded one of the world’s premier online saltwater tackle outfitters in 1997; still leads the company today.
Drew Munster
Chief Executive Officer, Tackle Warehouse (Sports Warehouse, LLC)
Co‑founder who scaled the web’s best‑known bass‑tackle pure play and continues to lead the business from San Luis Obispo, CA.
Rich Zeilenga
Chief Operating Officer, Tackle Warehouse (Sports Warehouse, LLC)
Co‑founder and longtime operator behind Tackle Warehouse’s merchandising and operations engine.
Dan Pastore
President & CEO, FishUSA
Company co‑founder who built the ‘America’s Tackle Shop’ brand in steelhead country and now leads growth across e‑commerce, retail and a new wholesale division.
Matt Johnson
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Omnia Fishing
Co‑founder/CEO of the ‘shop‑by‑lake’ tackle startup pairing community data with commerce to personalize where and what anglers buy.
Tracy Melton
Founder & President, Melton International Tackle
Founder and president of a leading U.S. big‑game/saltwater specialty retailer serving traveling anglers worldwide since the 1990s.
Joshua Fuld
Owner, J&H Tackle
Second‑generation owner who helped take the Long Island mainstay nationwide via content‑driven e‑commerce and live‑bait‑to‑bluewater expertise.
Bryan Harris
President & Chief Executive Officer, Turner’s Outdoorsman
Longtime operator steering California/Arizona’s 38‑store hunting, shooting and fishing chain as President/CEO with an emphasis on value and vendor partnerships.
Rob Zubak
President, Turner’s Outdoorsman
35‑year company veteran elevated to president in July 2025 to lead store operations and expansion while upholding Turner’s fishing heritage.
Matthew Glerum
President, Catch Co. (Mystery Tackle Box & Karl’s Bait & Tackle)
President guiding brand/commerce integration and continuity after Gordon Brothers acquired Catch Co.’s assets in 2024; focused on the MTB and Karl’s platforms.
Ross Gordon
Founder (former CEO), Catch Co. (Mystery Tackle Box & Karl’s Bait & Tackle)
Founder and longtime public face who popularized subscription tackle (MTB) and community commerce via Karl’s Bait & Tackle.
Stacey Renfro
Chief Commercial Officer, West Marine
Omnichannel retail veteran leading assortment, marketing and commercial strategy as CCO at the nation’s largest boating and marine‑fishing retailer.
Berlin Jay
Chief Executive Officer, Sportsman’s Guide
E‑commerce/catalog CEO running the South St. Paul‑based hunting/fishing retailer under Northern Tool’s umbrella.
Jeff Dunn
Chief Merchandising Officer, Sportsman’s Warehouse
Merchandising chief (appointed Feb 2025) charged with product strategy, planning and private‑label acceleration across 100+ stores and online.
Craig McNair
Chief Retail Officer, Sportsman’s Warehouse
Retail operations leader (appointed Feb 2024) overseeing store culture, training and in‑store experience as the chain sharpens its specialty edge.
Joey Reggio
General Manager, Tackle Warehouse (Sports Warehouse, LLC)
Front‑of‑house leader and public spokesperson shepherding partnerships like the 2025 Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork.
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