FLW Outdoors announced Tuesday that Charlie Evans has stepped down as President and CEO. The announcement comes following a highly successful Forrest Wood Cup in Duluth, Ga., where Walmart announced a new long-term title sponsorship agreement and FLW Outdoors Chairman Irwin L. Jacobs introduced T. Boone Pickens as a new equity partner in the company.
“This is the start of a new beginning at FLW Outdoors – a resurrection,” Evans said. “It has 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 are 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.”
Irwin L. Jacobs will continue to serve as Chairman but will add Chief Executive Officer to his title. Trisha Blake has been promoted to President of FLW Outdoors Marketing Division and Kathy Fennel has been promoted to President of FLW Outdoors Operations Division.
“We thank Charlie for his dedication, loyalty and hard work over the course of his career at FLW Outdoors,” Irwin Jacobs said. “He should be proud of his contributions and the impact he has had on this company.”
Evans joined FLW Outdoors as a tournament director in 1982 and was promoted to head of tournament operations in 1984. He assumed the chief operating officer role in 1996 and was promoted to president and CEO in 2004.
“I am honored to have served FLW Outdoors and our anglers all these years,” Evans said. “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 have 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 are the greatest family in the whole world.â”
