FLW Outdoors announced today that Jeff McCoy, formerly associate director of public information for Pacers Sports and Entertainment in Indianapolis, has joined the organization as director of public relations. Vice President of Communications Dave Washburn will become director of administrative operations.
Washburn will continue to be based at FLW Outdoors’ operations headquarters in Benton, Ky., and McCoy will operate out of the company’s Minneapolis offices to closer align public relations with marketing, which is based in Minneapolis.
McCoy spent the past 11 years in the National Basketball Association focusing on public relations and marketing, including three years with the Golden State Warriors and eight years with the Indiana Pacers. Some highlights of his tenure with the Warriors and Pacers Sports and Entertainment include work on the 2000 NBA All-Star Game and NBA Finals, 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championship for Men and 2004 FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships.
“I am looking forward to working with FLW Outdoors sponsors, anglers and the media to continue growing the sport of fishing,” McCoy said. “Fishing is already one of the largest participation sports in the world and I believe there is more growth ahead of us.”
Washburn joined FLW Outdoors in 1999 as a communications specialist. He was promoted to communications director and executive editor of FLW Outdoors Magazine in 2002 and to vice president of communications in 2004.
“I look forward to playing a new, expanded role within the organization to better serve our anglers and sponsors,” Washburn said. “Jeff is a great addition to the team. He brings a lot of experience to the table and I look forward to working alongside him.”
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone, the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits targeting bass, walleye, redfish, kingfish and striped bass. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with the largest cash awards in the history of fantasy sports, $7.3 million.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000.By: Dave Washburn, vp comm / FLW Outdoors
