John has been involved in the business side of bass fishing for over 30 years, handling media relations, advertising coordination and event marketing/planning projects for major tackle companies as owner of Catalyst Marketing Services – based in South Bend, Ind., a city and area with a rich history in the sportfishing industry.

He is a member of the American Sportfishing Association, where he is the long-time chair for the trade organization’s PR/Communications committee, and is also a member of B.A.S.S., the International Game Fish Association, Muskies Inc., and the Smallmouth Bass Alliance. He was an early industry supporter of the high school/college bass fishing movement, including organizing the Shimano High School/College Bass Fishing Symposiums that brought industry executives, trade associations, bass fishing organizations, coaches and fishing club youth coordinators together to help grow the sport.

Currently president of the BFHOF Board, John has served as Board vice-president, chaired the Communications Committee, and as chair of the Nominations Committee, he worked closely with other Board members to create a more transparent process in the Hall induction process including the creation of a bass fishing expert-qualified ‘selection panel’. He is known to stop by the St. Joe River in his hometown on his way to and from the office to make a few casts for smallmouth bass – yet his favorite bass fishing experience comes late every summer at his good friend’s cabin near Sioux Narrows, Canada where somehow, he has yet to tip over his kayak in his excitement from hooking big smallmouths on topwaters!