In yet another shocking development in the bass-fishing world, FLW Outdoors today announced that Charlie Evans has stepped down as president and CEO. The announcement came on the heels of the Forrest Wood Cup in Duluth, Ga., where Walmart announced a new long-term title sponsorship agreement and FLW Outdoors chairman Irwin Jacobs introduced T. Boone Pickens as a new equity partner in the company.
Evans was long the face of FLW Outdoors. He was there in the very beginnings of Operation Bass and joined the company as tournament director in 1982, then was promoted to head of tournament operations in 1984. When Jacobs purchased Operation Bass in 1996, Evans assumed the role of COO and, upon the departure of Charlie Hoover, was named president and CEO in 2004. Evans was also the longtime host of FLW Outdoors programming.
No specific reason for Evans' departure was cited in the official press release, although Evans noted his understanding that it was "time for fresh leadership."
"This is the start of a new beginning at FLW Outdoors - a resurrection," Evans noted in the press release. "It's been a difficult time for the entire industry over the last 18 to 24 months, but those of us closest to the sport could always see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now we're finally out of the tunnel and looking at the brightest future our sport has ever seen. It's time for fresh leadership and I fully understand that."
Jacobs will continue to serve as chairman and will add CEO to his title. Trisha Blake (Jacobs' daughter) has been promoted to president of FLW Outdoors Marketing Division and Kathy Fennel has been promoted to president of FLW Outdoors Operations Division.
There was no mention of a replacement host for FLW Outdoors events and programming.
Said Jacobs: "We thank Charlie for his dedication, loyalty and hard work over the course of his career at FLW Outdoors. He should be proud of his contributions and the impact he's had on this company."
"I'm honored to have served FLW Outdoors and our anglers all these years," Evans added. "I owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Whitaker, the founder of Operation Bass, and Irwin Jacobs, the founder and chairman of FLW Outdoors, for believing in me and giving me the opportunities I've so thoroughly enjoyed.
"This has been a dream job, and I've the greatest confidence in the company's leadership, particularly Kathy Fennel, who has a passion and expertise that is second to none. The employees and anglers at FLW Outdoors are my family, and they're the greatest family in the whole world."
