Kastking reported that Al Noraker will step down at the end of 2024 after over 40 years as an industry leader. Noraker joined Kastking’s parent company, Eposeidon USA, in 2017. Before that, he was with Wright & McGill for nearly 15 years and Fred Meyer for 21 years.
Tate T.S. Cui, owner of Eposeidon USA, called Noraker’s retirement bittersweet news.
“Al has been a tremendous leader for our company,” Cui said. “He’s taken us to new heights and leaves us in great shape moving forward. We’re sad to lose him, but happy to see him move on to a joyful retirement.”
“In a fishing industry career that began in 1983 and that has covered brick-and-mortar retail, television media, e-commerce, and manufacturing, Noraker has touched the lives of millions of anglers and thousands of other industry professionals. He embarks on a new path having positively impacted the sport he loves and the people he mentored,“ the company said in a media release.
“I grew up in a small town in Montana,“ Noraker explained. “Fishing has taken me around the world and introduced me to people I never would have met without it. If I had one advantage as I started my career, it was that I wasn’t afraid of failure. I made plenty of mistakes but also had my share of wins. I never worried that a job was too big and was never hesitant to ask for help or advice.
“I always tried to make the people around me, both coworkers and customers, feel welcome, important and appreciated. That’s the way I wanted to feel, and that’s the way our industry embraces people who are committed to excellence.“
In parting, Noraker thanked his family for their support through the decades.
“My journey was only possible because of the sacrifices and support of my wife Susan and our children Alan, Dustin and Elizabeth. I can never thank them enough for that, but I hope that in retirement I can show them how much they’re appreciated.”
Images courtesy Kastking
