Two New Members Join RBFF Board of Directors

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation announced the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. Dirk Hyde and Libby Yranski will work closely with RBFF leadership to meet its mission, including its goal to increase participation from the current level of 49 million anglers to 60 million in 60 months.

Dirk Hyde comes to the RBFF Board after nearly 30 years within the Brunswick family of companies. Dirk most recently added the role of President Aluminum Fishing Group in addition to President of Lund Boats, where he manages the strategic leadership and product development to drive sales and profitability. Dirk began his time at Brunswick serving as Chief Operating Officer at Attwood Corporation, followed by working as President of Crestliner Boats and then Harris Kayot & Cypress Cay. Dirk studied at Alma College in Michigan before earning his MBA from Central Michigan University.

Representing the States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA), Libby Yranski brings strong knowledge of the boating policy space to our Board. She currently serves as SOBA’s Executive Director and NMMA’s Director of State Government Relations, working to create more and better opportunities for boaters throughout the United States. Prior to these positions, Libby worked as a Policy Fellow and Government Affairs Coordinator at the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). Before working in the conservation realm, Libby practiced molecular genetics at Boston University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Libby received her Masters in Environmental Policy and Science from Johns Hopkins University after earning a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Marine Biology from Northeastern University.

“As we push closer to the 60 million angler mark, we will need cooperation from every facet of the fishing and boating industry. I’m pleased to see that’s exactly what we’re getting with our newest board members,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “With the addition of Dirk and Libby, we now have representation on the boat manufacturer and policy sides of the equation and I look forward to their contributions to the RBFF Board.”

The RBFF Board of Directors is made up of 24 individuals who have been appointed by RBFF and industry and state agency organizations. The full list of RBFF Board of Directors members is available online.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)

RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF's recently announced 60 in 60 effort strives to attract 60 million anglers to the sport by the end of 2021. To help recruit, retain and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns creating awareness about boating, fishing and conservation, and educating people about the benefits of participation. These campaigns help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org and TakeMeFishing.org/es, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.