A year after Bass Pro Group LLC agreed to buy Flippin, Ark.-based Fishing Holdings LLC, the maker of Ranger Boats, three of its top executives have resigned.
Fishing Holdings President Randy Hopper, Vice President of Sales Keith Daffron and Vice President of Finance Mendel Hughes stepped down last week, said Bass Pro spokesman Jack Wlezien.
“These actions were voluntary and do not reflect any changes in philosophy with regard to management,” officials said in a statement provided by Wlezien. “We remain deeply committed to the Ranger, Stratos and Triton brands and have tremendous respect for the strong, independent dealer network.
“The dealers and fantastic team of associates in Flippin, Ark., continue to have our full support and admiration.”
Wlezien did not say when, if at all, the positions would be filled.
Hopper started working at Ranger Boats as a teenager and became president in 1989. In 2005, he was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame, according to a news release at
RangerBoats.com. Ranger Boats spokesman Josh Ward said via email Hopper worked for the company for over 46 years.
Founded in 1968 by Forrest Wood, Fishing Holdings builds some 7,000 boats a year – roughly 4,500 fiberglass and 2,500 aluminum boats – with the majority sold by Ranger, according to
Springfield Business Journal archives.
Last December, Bass Pro Group, the operator of Bass Pro Shops and boat manufacturer Tracker Marine, agreed to buy Fishing Holdings’ Ranger, Triton and Stratos brands for an undisclosed amount. About 200 of the 900 U.S. manufacturers, including Tracker and Ranger, represent 90 percent of all boat sales, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
