Nehl Horton Resigns as IGFA President

The IGFA announced the resignation of IGFA President Nehl Horton. Horton was elected as the IGFA’s 7th President in September 2017 and spent the last two years modernizing the organization’s business operations and implementing a new strategic plan. “I greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve the IGFA and its members around the world over the last two years,” Horton said.  “I deeply regret that I was unable to complete my three-year term in office due to my inability to continue to reside in Florida.  I wish the organization all the best for the future.”  

“It is with deep regret that I accept the resignation of Nehl Horton as President of IGFA,” said IGFA Chairman Carlos Duncan. “Nehl joined us from a successful corporate career to spend three years charting a new course for IGFA by engaging anglers through our conservation efforts, rebuilding our internal management systems, our external relations, and marketing, and revamping and professionalizing our strategy, budget, and processes to act effectively in the next century.”

Duncan continued, “Nehl accomplished all these tasks in just two years and requested to return to Colorado to be with his family. We have honored his request. All IGFA members are indebted to Nehl for his service.”

IGFA Acting President and Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser, left, with good friend and IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer Captain Steve Huff.

With Horton’s resignation, the IGFA Executive Committee has appointed IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser as the Acting President for the organization.  Schratwieser has served as the IGFA’s Conservation Director since he was hired in 2003.

“I am honored to be appointed as the Acting President by the IGFA Executive Committee of this organization that I have served for nearly two decades,” said Schratwieser. “I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and fellow staff members to continue building on the successes that Nehl has brought to the organization during his tenure and ensuring that the IGFA continues its important work of game fish conservation and the promotion of ethical angling practices around the world.” 

 “I enthusiastically endorse Jason’s selection as Acting President. His reputation in the angling and conservation world is well known, exemplary, and speaks for itself,” said Duncan “His long, distinguished service as the IGFA’s Conservation Director and a member of our senior management team has prepared him to take on this added role. The Board and I look forward to working with Jason and the entire team at the IGFA to continue to implement the association’s 21st-century strategy.”