BENTON, Ky. (Feb. 6, 2006) - FLW Outdoors announced Monday the hiring of David Simmons to help manage relations with The Bass Federation and to help spearhead the organization's youth and conservation efforts in cooperation with The Bass Federation chapters nationwide.
Simmons, who has served with Yamaha Motor Corporation USA for the past six years, brings extensive experience and credibility to his new position, which is the result of a historic alliance between FLW Outdoors and The Bass Federation. As a field promotions coordinator for Yamaha, Simmons helped grow the company's pro staff from 11 members in 2000 to more than 100 members today. Most recently Simmons served Yamaha as freshwater promotions supervisor with responsibility for managing all aspects of the company's bass and walleye promotions as well as grassroots marketing programs for Federation anglers.
Simmons' association with the Federation dates back to his teenage years, when he joined the Capital Area Bass Association in Lansing, Mich. Like many anglers, he credits the Federation with cultivating his lifelong passion for the sport.
"Having this opportunity to work with the Federation to help promote youth and conservation is just incredible," Simmons said. "When FLW Outdoors and TBF announced that part of the Federation program was 'Living the Dream,' I had no idea that would mean me, too. My time at Yamaha has been extremely rewarding. It is a first-class operation with great people and a very reliable product, but I could not be happier to become part of FLW Outdoors. It is a company whose leadership, consistency and core values I truly admire."
In addition to assisting with joint FLW Outdoors and The Bass Federation youth and conservation programs throughout the United States, Simmons will help develop new tournament and promotional opportunities for Federation chapters around the world.
"Since the Federation presidents voted overwhelmingly to forge a new partnership with FLW Outdoors, we've been flooded with calls from anglers around the world asking how they can help," said FLW Outdoors Chairman Irwin L. Jacobs. "They are thrilled to be joining us in the spirit of promoting a vibrant and independent Federation for generations to come, and we could not be more pleased with the progress we've made in a few short weeks. The response has been incredible to say the least."
At the heart of FLW Outdoors' partnership with The Bass Federation is an agreement to pay the Federation as much as $1 million annually if all existing Federation members join FLW Outdoors. The $1 million cash payment will be prorated based on the number of Federation members joining. For example, if 90 percent of existing Federation members joins FLW Outdoors, the annual cash payment will be $900,000. FLW Outdoors will also offer cash incentives to Federation chapters for each new FLW Outdoors tournament member recruited. Beyond that, Federation members will now have 14 opportunities to advance beyond the Federation National Championship to the $1 million All-American and the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup, where they could win the sport's first $1 million top award. Additionally, the Federation National Championship winner will be "Living the Dream" thanks to a full year's worth of entry fees paid in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour or FLW Series. The Federation National Championship winner will also be furnished with a wrapped "Living the Dream" Ranger boat powered by Yamaha plus a wrapped Chevy truck for use during the tournament season.