Sportfishing Industry Association Appoints New VP of Communications

New VP will provide essential support for the association’s future plans 

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is pleased to announce that Mary Beth Long has joined the ASA staff as Vice President of Communications. Long will lead the communications team in their efforts to promote the association and its initiatives through its influential government affairs policy work, its angler-based advocacy campaign, Keep America Fishing; ICAST, the sportfishing industry’s annual trade show; and fisheries conservation advocacy efforts.  

”Mary Beth comes to us with a wealth of experience in communications, public affairs and marketing,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “She is the perfect complement to our growing organization and will be a key factor in the fulfillment of our new, and ambitious, strategic plan.”

Long has more than 25 years of experience in public affairs, communications, marketing and government relations. She joins ASA after a long career working for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) where she was Vice President of Marketing and Workforce Development. At the AAPA she had oversight over a team tasked with marketing and promoting membership and programming, publications and advertising, social media and professional and workforce development. In addition, she co-managed the association’s annual convention and launched the roll out of a $6 million dollar Department of Labor grant.
 
“I’m looking forward to working with ASA’s members and the recreational fishing community where I can use my maritime and association background to assist in the implementation of ASA’s new strategic plan,” said Long. “The association will be rolling out a number of new initiatives to better communicate with the sportfishing community and I’m excited to do my part to support ASA’s efforts.”

Long further noted, “Fishing was always a big part of my life growing up. Both my grandfather and father enjoyed taking my sister and I fishing. Whether at a local pond, on the beach or at the lake, fishing with my two favorite role models brings back a lot of special memories. I look forward to spending more time on the water and growing my love of fishing with my family and with the industry.”
 
In addition to spending time out on the water, Long enjoys singing and spending time with her family. She resides in Alexandria, Va., with her husband, three teenagers and two dogs.