Hollywood, Florida – The Bahamas Billfish Championship announced that Jennifer Dudas will take over as President of the prestigious 40-year-old tournament series. Ms. Dudas assumes the reins from Al Behrendt who is retiring after producing the Championship since 1981.
“I’m excited to take on this new role with the BBC,” said Jennifer. “My first love is sportfishing; not just the tournaments but the great people involved. Working with Al and Brenda over the past 20-years, I learned first-hand what makes the BBC successful. That experience, along with my passion for fishing, gives me the knowledge, insight and motivation to take the BBC to the next level.”
Jennifer is by no means a stranger to anglers and crews fishing the BBC. She has been involved with the management of the Series since 1992 and operated the Committee Boat at each BBC tournament for the past 10-years. A graduate of the IGFA Observer Training Course, Jennifer is the official judge/scorekeeper for the Championship validating digital images and videos of released billfish throughout the Series.
Al Behrendt stated, “I can’t think of anyone more qualified to advance the objectives of the BBC. Jennifer has been an avid angler all her life and has participated in tournaments along the East Coast and in The Bahamas. Combining Jennifer’s understanding of the ‘tournament scene,’ her familiarity with the structure of the Championship and her demonstrated organizational skills, the BBC can look forward to another 40-years of great tournaments.”
Al Behrendt and his marine consulting company took on the management of the Bahamas Billfish Championship in 1981 at the request of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
Since 1992, the Bahamas Billfish Championship has been private corporation with a ‘Steering Committee,’ composed of participating anglers, monitoring the wishes and the desires of the tournament participants regarding rule changes and tournament locations.
Al Behrendt commented, “I have been extremely fortunate over the past 33-years to be able to say that my hobby and my occupation have been the same. For the BBC, it is now time for fresh, youthful ideas and concepts. For Brenda and me, it is time to spend more hours fishing, diving and enjoying all the islands of The Bahamas.”
For the very latest BBC information, the 2014 tournament schedule or to register for the 2014 Series, visit our website at www.bahamasbillfish.com. Contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship by phone at 866-920-5577. Be sure to download the BBC App for your Android or Apple device. Search ‘Bahamas Billfish Championship’ in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
