Foundation Outdoor Group promoted Hunter McKamey to vice president, reporting to company President and COO Brook Oliva. In his new role, McKamey is the primary contact for daily operations and focuses on aligning processes and business practices with the Foundation’s growth strategies in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
“This is a great opportunity for Hunter and Foundation Outdoor Group,” said Oliva. “Hunter has a wealth of experience in angling and the fishing rod business. He has a keen sense for our business and our customers, and I am confident he will thrive in this new leadership position.”
McKamey grew up in the custom tackle industry, working for his father’s rod building business in Tennessee. He joined American Tackle when he attended college at the University of Central Florida, where he was a champion angler, winning the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Southern Regional in 2014. In 2016, McKamey took his experience to Mud Hole Custom Tackle, which grew into his most recent position as director of product development and purchasing at Foundation Outdoor Group.
“I’m excited to accept this new challenge and help take Foundation Outdoor Group to new heights,” said McKamey. “We have an amazing team and we have already been working on several key initiatives to expand our global presence and improve our day-to-day business operations.
With Foundation Outdoor Group’s acquisition of American Tackle and Mud Hole Custom Tackle last August and the purchase of a European headquarters in Halmstad, Sweden in October 2023, the company said it continues to streamline its backend processes, marketing initiatives and sales programs.
The promotion of Hunter McKamey to VP is reported to be another strategic move to solidify the Foundation’s leadership position in the fishing tackle and outdoors industry.
With its continued European expansion efforts, the “world’s largest supplier of rod building components, supplies, equipment, and instruction,” added Rafael Llaneras to the Foundation’s sales organization, focused on growing sales and distribution in Southern Europe, including Italy, Portugal and his home country of Spain.
“Rafa is a tremendous addition to the Foundation family,” said Gary Benney, VP of operations for its European efforts. “He’s an industry veteran, already well-versed in our product line. He is also an avid angler who knows the species and waters across the continent.”
Llaneras resides in Majorca, Spain, with his family. Having fished at the pro level for many years, emphasizing big game species, he has won the Spanish Tuna Trolling Championship and helped pioneer slow-pitch fishing in Spain. As a ten-year American Tackle Ambassador, Rafa brings knowledge and experience to Foundation Outdoor Group.
“Growing our presence in Southern Europe is a key component to our larger expansion strategy,” said Oliva. “We’re excited to have someone of Rafa’s caliber join our team. Under Gary’s leadership, I am sure that Rafa will immediately impact the Foundation.”
Images courtesy Foundation Outdoor Group/MHX
