CCA Florida has added to its advocacy staff to address the growing number of major fisheries conservation and angler access issues. John “Trip” Aukeman joins the CCA Florida staff as Deputy Director for Advocacy.
“We are engaged in many important issues at the state and federal levels,” said Mark Carter, CCA Florida Chairman. “We are very pleased to have Trip as a member of our team.”
As Deputy Director for Advocacy, Trip will be working in the Tallahassee office under the supervision of Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director. He will be involved in the development and implementation of CCA Florida programs including all lobbying efforts, state legislative initiatives, interaction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the federal fishery management councils.
“Gulf grouper allocation and management, missile launch sites proposals at Mosquito Lagoon, and angler access in the Everglades National Park are major concerns of our membership,” said Forsgren. “Trip brings a skill set and advocacy experience that will immediately help us in our efforts.”
Trip gained experience working in Tallahassee as a grassroots organizer for the Republican Party of Florida, as a legislative analyst with the House Majority Office, and a government affairs consultant with one of Tallahassee’s major law firms.
His interest and enthusiasm for saltwater fishing is also a big plus. “Like our members, Trip is an avid saltwater angler with a commitment to conservation,” said Forsgren. “His existing knowledge of Florida fishing and management issues give him a running start.”
One of his responsibilities will be organizing our volunteers into a larger grassroots network to attend state and federal public hearings in support of CCA Florida initiatives. The volunteers will be trained to provide comments and present CCA testimony for the record of the hearings.
“I am very excited to be able to have the opportunity to work with a great organization like CCA. Taking my passion for saltwater angling and channeling it into a job will be a dream come true,” said Aukeman.
