CCA California Executive Committee

Chairman

Bill Shedd – CEO – AFTCO

Bill Shedd serves as CCA CAL’s Chairman of our state board of directors. He is also the current CEO of AFTCO located in Santa Ana, CA. He first joined AFTCO in 1974 as Sales Manager and moved all the way up to CEO in time. Shedd’s parents, Milt and Peggie, were the founders of the Mission Bay Research Foundation, later renamed the Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute. Along with CCA CAL, he also serves as a board member of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, the International Game Fish Association, the Center for Coastal Conservation and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and chairs the American Sportfishing Association’s Government Affairs Committee. In 2017, Shedd was the recipient of ASA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong leadership and commitment to recreational fishing.

President

Doug Lasko – President – Okuma Fishing USA

Doug Lasko serves as President of Okuma Fishing Tackle USA in Ontario CA and is a current board member of CCA-CAL.  Lasko has been apart of the fishing tackle industry for the past 25 years and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Center for Sportfishing Policy.  Throughout his tenure at Okuma, the company has continually supported a wide range of charitable foundations and groups ranging from Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea to support for first responders and veterans.  Okuma firmly believes in the conservation of our fishing resources and is a proud supporter of CCA-CAL and other groups advocating recreational fishing opportunities.

Vice Chairman

Dave Pfeiffer – President – Shimano, North America

Dave Pfeiffer serves as President of Shimano North America in Irvine, CA, and is also Vice Chairman of CCA CAL. Pfeiffer has spent nearly three decades moving up the ranks at Shimano holding leadership positions in almost every facet of the business. By combining hard-won business success with volunteer board positions across a variety of organizations, Dave has the honor of being highly recognized throughout the industry as a leader and innovator with a well-marked path of successful team-building and solid, proven results. Before joining CCA CAL, Pfeiffer received the Billy Ray Memorial Award from United Anglers of Southern California.

Secretary

Ali Hussainy – CEO – BD Outdoors

Ali Hussainy is the current President of BD Outdoors, and also Co-Hosts and produces Local Knowledge, an outdoors fishing show on Destination America. After spending time in the tech field, Hussainy created Bloodydecks.com, an online forum and grew to be the largest sportfishing website in the world. Ali also serves as the secretary for CCA CAL’s state board of directors.

Treasurer

Don Trojan – Owner – Trojan and Co. Accountancy Corp.

Bart Hall – Producer – Fred Hall Shows

Bart Hall is the producer for the world-famous Fred Hall Shows that are held yearly in Bakersfield, Long Beach and San Diego. His father, Fred Hall, helped start the annual show in 1945, and which has grown to draw millions of people each year at all three events. He also serves as a member of the state board of directors for CCA CAL. Along with the shows, Hall has long raised  money to fight the MLPA Process and its pressures to enact marine closures on sportfishing areas. Bart was honored in 2008 by United Anglers of Southern California with their most prestigious Bill Ray Memorial Award at their Annual Fundraising dinner, and it was presented by current Chairman Bill Shedd of AFTCO.

Tim Manaka – FIA Insurance – President

Mike Lum – Fundraising and Event Coordinator for Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea / Friends of Rollo (501c3 Non-profit organization) plus consumer show production for the fishing, boating and hunting industry

Mike Lum currently serves as the Fundraising and Event Coordinator for Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea, which organizes marine-awareness fishing trips for children who might not otherwise have such an opportunity to witness the beauty and splendor of being on the ocean.

John Ballotti – Member

John is a member of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) California Board of Directors and Executive Committee, president of the Los Angeles chapter of CCA California, and a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club. He was a member of the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group during the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation process.

Marc Gorelnik – Owner, Law Offices of Marc Gorelnik

Wendy Tochihara – National Sales Manager – Izorline 

Wendy Tochihara is an expert fisherman and outdoor enthusiast.  Many in the sportfishing industry know her as the National Sales Manager for Izorline International and as a host on the popular Rod and Reel Radio show.  She is very active in the outdoor community as the President of the Chuck Byron Youth Art Foundation, representative of Big Hammer Swimbaits, SKB Cases and Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits. Wendy is also an IGFA Southern California Representative, IGFA world record holder, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Ambassador, member of Huntington Beach Elk’s Lodge, Board member for California Youth Adventures (CYA), Member of Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club (LARRC), and member of California Waterfowl Association.

Wendy has served as a Southern California Regional Stakeholder for the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative under Governor Schwarzenegger. She also collaborates with the Orange County Marine Protected Area Council and is currently working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s R3 program.

Jim Hendricks has built a 35-year career in the marine and sportfishing industries in capacities that have ranged from advertising and public relations, to magazine editor and publisher. Hendricks has also been busy in advocacy since 1980 while serving  on Assemblywoman Doris Allen’s Gillnet committee, which campaigned against inshore set gillnets along the California Coast. He was also involved in the group that placed the Proposition 132 initiative on the 1990 state ballot, which led to the phase-out of set gillnets in state waters. Jim is also a founding member of United Anglers of Southern California and has served on its Board of Director. In 2003, Hendricks received the Moulton H. “Monk” Farnham Award for Excellence in Editorial Commentary from the BoatUS Foundation for probing and provocative editorial work while editor at Trailer Boats Magazine.

Chris Wheaton – STAR Tournament Committee Chairman

CCA California State Board of Directors

David Bacon – Owner, Hook, Line & Sinker Tackle

Captain David Bacon is the owner of Hook, Line & Sinker Tackle Shop in Santa Barbara. Bacon is a no stranger to advocacy work in the fishing industry as he plays a huge role, serving on committees for Artificial Reefs and Government Relations for CCA CAL. David also is a member of the California MPA Collaborative committee, and is a part of the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. Besides taking out customers out of Santa Barbara, he also writes for almost every outdoors and fishing publication in Southern California including Western Outdoor News and Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine.

Bill Boyce – Host, World Fishing Network

After 16 years as a federal fisheries biologist, Bill Boyce took his love of fish, fishing, photography, and adventure on a new career path and became a highly published international photo-journalist in the sport fishing industry. This experience progressed to television production and over the last 14 years as Boyce has Executive Produced and Hosted 7 different outdoor / fishing / travel series for several networks earning 9 TELLY Awards to date for his efforts.

An avid conservationist, Bill serves on the Board of CCA-CA, Wild Oceans, and has been a long time IGFA Representative, all which keeps him up to date on fisheries management issues on the state and federal level.

Dave Brown – Senior Marketing Specialist – Okuma Fishing USA

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Dave is never far from the water.  Starting off as a pinhead on the Annie B Barge out of the Belmont Pier, he learned his love for fishing at a very young age.  Though he loves all types of fishing from rainbow trout to bluefin tuna, his true passion is kayak fishing.  You can usually find him floating around somewhere up and down our coast or at one of our local lakes.  He loves to help new anglers and aspires to learn as much as he can himself to become a better angler and to be a positive influence for the fishing community.

Harold Davis – Owner/President – Davis Boats

Harold Davis is owner and president of Davis Boats in Paso Robles, which started in 1990. For almost 30 years, Davis has built one of the finest fishing boats in the entire fishing industry, and are known to be innovative with each customer’s wants and needs in mind. He also serves as the President of Captain Rollo’s Kids At Sea Fishing Program, which supports and encourages marine conservation by providing hands-on fishing and learning opportunities to kids. Since 1999, Captain Rollo’s Kids At Sea has taken over 120,000 youth fishing, many of which are disadvantaged, physically challenged, or at-risk.

Jaime Diamond – Owner – Santa Barbara Landing, Stardust Sportfishing

Jaime Diamond is owner of Stardust Sportfishing with her husband Capt. Jason Diamond and their three children. She is also CEO/General manager of Santa Barbara Landing. Jaime is a fierce advocate for recreational fishermen, and participates in both state and federal fisheries management processes. She believes we have a responsibility to leave a better, healthier fishery for the next generation.

Rachel Fischer – Western Policy & Engagement Manager – National Marine Manufacturers Association

Rachel Fischer is the Western Policy and Engagement Manager with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Passionate about America’s outdoors and waterways, Rachel works alongside internal and external stakeholders to ensure boating is a major pillar of state outdoor recreation. At NMMA, Rachel covers state policy for a wide swath of the United States with California being a mainstay in her territory.

Pete Gray – Host and Creator – Let’s Talk Hookup

Pete is founder and host of  “Let’s Talk Hook-Up”, which is heard every Saturday and Sunday morning from 7am to 9am on The Mighty 1090 AM, as well as streaming live on the Let’s Talk Hookup App, the web, and on as a Podcast on ITunes. Pete started Let’s Talk Hook-up “as a fun thing to do” when he was sales manager at a popular San Diego radio station in 1991, and the program quickly became his lifetime career. Now in its 28 th year of broadcasting, the show reaches more listeners than ever, and has become “Southern California’s Sportfishing Voice”.  The nature of the show also gives Pete the opportunity to travel with groups of listeners to great fishing destinations like Alaska, East Cape of Cabo, Panama, Costa Rica, Hawaii, long range trips from San Diego and others.

Pete’s addiction to fishing started when he was 8 years old fishing with his father from their boat moored in San Diego. In addition, he shares an addiction to fly fishing with his wife Lolly for trout in the western streams and rivers. When at home in Point Loma, Pete enjoy fishing aboard his 36 foot Pacifica “ Field Research” .

Bob Hoose – Costa Sunglasses

Bob Hoose manages his own marketing company – Hoose Fishing LLC. Hoose represents Costa Sunglasses, Seeker Rods, and Mold Craft Lures on the west coast. His passion for sportfishing is why he is involved with CCA CAL, as he feel that it is a very important part in supporting the angling community in California. Hoose has work in the fishing industry for 25 years and also writes as a freelance editor for many west coast fishing publications. Hoose also serves on angling club boards including the Los Pescadores, BAC, and Tuna Club of Avalon.

Donna Kalez – General Manager – Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

Donna Kalez is the daughter of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching founder, Don Hansen. Born and raised in San Clemente, California, Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching is simply in Donna’s blood having been reared around the business her Dad built into a leader in responsible sportfishing and pioneering whale watching, dating back to 1961. Kalez manages the daily operations at Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching. In 2015, Donna and her family started a 2nd location in Oceanside California called Oceanside Adventures a year round Whale Watching company.

She develops partnerships to support many local non-profits benefiting military families, veterans, children, seniors, those with special-needs and more. she has also introduced several free youth fishing programs and camps.

David Lopez – CCA Santa Barbara Chapter President

David Lopez is a US Coast Guard licensed sea captain, a Member of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) Advisory Council and President of the Santa Barbara Chapter. David is a fifth-generation native of Santa Barbara, and a graduate of Santa Barbara High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from San Diego State University, and a Master of Political Science Degree from Auburn University, Montgomery, AL. Colonel Lopez is retired from the U.S. Air Force, and served as a rated B-52G and F-15C pilot, and commanded at the squadron, and wing levels. He then served as a Federal Senior Aviation Policy Officer and Acting Director, Office of Aviation Management, US Department of Energy.

Todd Mansur – Owner, Boardroom Sportfishing

Captain Todd Mansur was born and raised on the water off southern California and has been an inspirational cornerstone of the fishing industry his entire life. The son of a fisherman, Todd spent his early years learning the ins and outs of the of the ocean working as a deckhand and crew member of many different commercial passenger boats from Dana Point, California to San Diego. Captain Todd has been published numerous times, made dozens of TV appearances, is an award winning filmmaker, and has been interviewed in newspaper and magazine articles from coast to coast. Todd continues to give inspirational and educational speeches and is a founding member of the Gray Whale Foundation. Since 2005, Todd has helped turn the Boardroom into one of Southern California’s most luxurious six pack charter boats. Todd is currently the sole owner of the Boardroom and continues to operate out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing today.

Merit McCrea – Writer, Western Outdoor News

Merit McCrea is saltwater editor for Western Outdoor News. A veteran Southern California partyboat captain, he is a marine research scientist with the Milton Love Lab at the University of California at Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute. The Love Lab’s focus is on marine ecosystems found at anthropogenic structures including oil platforms, power cables and pipelines. He currently serves on the Pacific Fisheries Management Council’s Groundfish Advisory Subpanel, the Santa Barbara Harbor Commission and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary’s Advisory Council.

Steve Pinard owns and operates Dana Landing in San Diego and East County Bait and Tackle in Lakeside, CA He grew up boating in Massachusetts and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in Yacht Operations/Marina Management and obtained his 100 Ton Master license in 1990. After moving to San Diego in 1991, Steve opened Dana Landing in 1994 and opened ECBT in 2012 . The company has expanded with eight locations, to include watersport rentals and marina management services. Upon discovering his 6 year old son, Ben, has the same  passion for fishing, Steve joined CCA so to ensure Ben and future generations have continued opportunities  to do so.  Steve also serves as a board member for Captain Rollo’s Kids at Sea, a nonprofit dedicated to taking kids fishing for free.

Brad Van Zyl – General Manager, Western Outdoor News

Brad stepped in as General Manager at Western Outdoor News in 2020 with the goal to continue the tradition of delivering angler’s the news that matters the most. Starting his career at entertainment companies like Sony Pictures, CBS and NBC, Brad Van Zyl took a leap to follow his passion for the outdoors, following the legacy that was trail-blazed by Burt and Bob Twilegar at Western Outdoor News since 1953. Brad works relentlessly to ensure WON keeps anglers and hunters informed and shares a common goal with the CCA, to ensure thriving fisheries and angling access for generations to come.

The rest of our board…

Luke Burson – President, CCA Orange County Chapter

Paul Byrd – President, Argos Products, Inc.

David Chavez – President, CCA San Diego Chapter

Darren Crile – President, CCA Inland Empire Chapter

Bill DePriest – Publisher, Pacific Coast Sportfishing Magazine

Robby Gant – Tackle Manager, AFTCO

Tyler Glover – President, CCA Channel Islands Chapter

Kevin Nakada – Owner, Fishing Reps

Charles “Chas” Schoemaker – Retired

Daniel Tabor – Retired

Zach Clift – President, CCA Kern County Chapter

Marc Mills – Senior Marketing Manager, Daiwa USA

Michelle Gandola – Sr. Public Relations Specialist, Gunpowder Inc.

Jaime Diamond – Owner, Santa Barbara Landing

Gambit Ruiloba – President, CCA Morro Bay Chapter

Oliver Solis – Owner, Fishing Syndicate

Shea McIntee – Host, Stoked on Fishing