Tenkara USA Taps Patrick Stratton as CEO

May 7, 2018

Boulder, CO (May 7, 2018) – Industry veteran Patrick Stratton has been named CEO of Tenkara USA, joining tenkara legend Daniel Galhardo on the senior management team.

Stratton has held senior management positions at some of the oldest and most recognizable outdoor brands including The North Face, REI and Mountain Equipment Co-op, among others. Leveraging that experience, Tenkara USA will focus on building momentum and growing the brand, working to expand sales and dealer networks to bring the sport to a larger audience, using new products and concepts to drive interest, placement and sales.

“Patrick’s product management and entrepreneurial experience are a perfect match to help take Tenkara USA to the next level, where we can continue to provide the best product to an ever growing audience of people who spend time outdoors and may want to add fly-fishing to their list of preferred activities,” said Daniel Galhardo, Founder and Chairman of Tenkara USA.

“I’ve known Daniel for a long time, and have envied his ability to communicate the technique and simplicity of the sport,” said Stratton. “I see many opportunities for the brand and the sport, and I look forward to being able to introduce Tenkara USA to new audiences while maintaining a strong connection with our existing customers and ensuring we tackle the challenges faced by a growing brand.”

Nine years ago Tenkara USA created a new category in the outdoor industry, one that opened the doors to fly-fishing to many people interested but ultimately intimidated by the sport.

Galhardo will focus on product development and story-telling, and will work closely with Stratton and the rest of the Tenkara USA team to continue pushing forward their mission to ‘enable people to enjoy the benefits of tenkara by sharing the philosophies of simplicity, open-mindedness and caring for the environment while providing the best tenkara information, gear, and service’.

“Tenkara USA is ideally positioned to bridge the gap between the outdoor industry and fly-fishing by providing ultra-compact, portable and simple to use equipment along with a message of simplicity,” said Stratton.

ABOUT TENKARA USA:

Founded in 2009 by Daniel W. Galhardo, Tenkara USA is the first company to introduce tenkara fly-fishing equipment outside of Japan. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Galhardo is widely recognized as the North America tenkara expert and has written a book and published several videos on the sport. Tenkara USA is a fully independent company that designs manufactures and distributes rods, lines, flies and select accessories for tenkara fishing enthusiasts and beginners alike. TenkaraUSA.com

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Alli Noland
Terra PR
307-7330-8777
AlliN@terrapublicrelations.com