Clemons, Knight hired by PAA...

3/1/2010 1:44:13 PM

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The Professional Anglers Association has filled two key positions with the hiring of Alan Clemons of Alabama as Communications Director and Randy Knight of Texas as Tournament Director.

PAA President John Crews said the additions will more easily enable the PAA to continue moving forward toward the 2010 PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series that begins in July.

“We are very happy to bring on two individuals with such great experience,” said PAA President John Crews. “Alan is the perfect person to help the PAA in an area where we need to improve. Randy brings experience and a proven reputation to the rules and enforcement side of our events. I know Alan and Randy are going to mesh well in our organization and help the PAA be more effective in promoting our anglers, tournaments and the fishing industry."

Clemons is a lifelong resident of Alabama with 25 years in the newspaper and freelance writing industry. His experience includes serving as the outdoors editor with The Huntsville Times for almost 15 years and a sports writer with the Huntsville News. His work has been honored numerous times and published in Outdoor Life, Bassmaster, Bass Times, Cabela’s Outfitter Journal, ESPN Outdoors, Wired2Fish.com, Lone Star Outdoor News, Thicket and Birmingham Magazine.

“I’m excited to be joining the PAA as it builds on last year’s success,” Clemons said. “Professional anglers have many compelling stories on and off the water, and communication is vital to let our members, sponsor partners, industry representatives and fans know about them and the PAA.

“We are evaluating our communications platforms to assist PAA members and sponsor partners in getting their messages to the public. I know a lot of PAA members from working with them at tournaments or other events, and look forward to continuing those relationships while building new ones.”

Knight is a native Texan and has directed or co-produced more than 300 bass tournaments, primarily in Texas, in the last two decades. Among those were the Skeeter Boats Owner’s Tournaments, Skeeter Pro-Bass Challenge, Country Bass Association, Angler’s Choice couples and team divisions and the Somerville Lions Club event, now in its 33rd year.

Knight has worked with major sponsors for tournaments including Skeeter Boats, Mercury Outboards, Stanley Jigs, Pure Fishing-Berkley and All-Star Rods. He has fished numerous individual and team tournaments since the mid-1980s, and qualified for the Red Man Regional and Angler’s Choice Pro-Am championships.

“It’s been a great experience over the years,” Knight said of directing tournaments. “What I like most about it is you get to meet so many people from different walks of life and they’re all coming together for a common passion. Some guys have taken off their white shirts and ties or put down their hammers for the day to get together for a few hours.

“This is such a great opportunity with the PAA and I’m looking forward to it. My passion for bass fishing is as great as these pros. I just can’t sometimes find the fish or catch them as well as they can, but that’s why we all keep trying.”

About the PAA: The Professional Anglers Association is a non-profit organization that gives professional anglers a unified voice in order to aid in the growth of the sport of professional bass fishing. The PAA also aims to administer educational programs to the average angler, to increase enjoyment of the sport, and to embrace sound conservation practices to further the future of the sport. For more information, visit FishPAA.com.