Rapala VMC reported that long-time Board member of Rapala VMC Corporation, Jorma Kasslin, has passed away. He died suddenly after a brief illness on April 14, 2024. Kasslin was 70 years old and had been a member of Rapala VMC’s Board of Directors since 1998, serving as chairman from 2016 to 2018 and as president and CEO from 1998 to 2016.
During Jorma Kasslin’s tenure as CEO, Rapala VMC expanded into an international enterprise, becoming a global market leader in several segments of the sports fishing business. The company said he was a leader who placed great importance on the well-being of the staff. Colleagues from around the world will miss Jorma dearly, the company shared in a release.
“Jorma was my leader for many years, starting from 1998,” said Lars Ollberg, current president and CEO, Rapala VMC. “He was an encouraging director who provided everyone with a common direction and vision. Jorma always focused on finding positive solutions in his work. His contribution has been decisive in Rapala VMC’s journey to becoming one of the world’s leading companies in the industry.”
The company also announced that the company elected Emmanuel Viellard as chairman of the Board at its organizing meeting conducted during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 18.
The AGM also approved that the Board of Directors consists of six members. Emmanuel Viellard, Julia Aubertin, Vesa Luhtanen and Alexander Rosenlew were re-elected as members of the Board of Directors and Pascal Lebard and Johan Berg were elected as new members. The AGM resolved that the annual fee paid to each Board member is €25,000, and €70,000 to the chairman of the Board. Board members are paid €1,000 per meeting for attendance at meetings of the Board and its committee.
Image courtesy Rapala
