IGFA Welcomes Four New Members to the Board of Trustees 

Dynamic new appointments announced; long-time trustee Terri Andrews concludes her tenure

January 30, 2025

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished individuals to its Board of Trustees. Confirmed during the annual IGFA Board of Trustees meeting on January 25, 2025, these new trustees bring a wealth of experience, passion for the sport, and commitment to the IGFA’s mission. With their addition, the total number of IGFA Trustees now stands at 31.

The IGFA Board of Trustees includes prominent conservationists, business leaders, and passionate anglers who have a vested interest in the future of sport fishing. The IGFA Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the goals and policies of the association and ensuring that its strategies, programs and initiatives promote the IGFA’s mission and vision.

“The IGFA Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in guiding the organization’s mission to promote ethical angling, conservation, and education,” said IGFA Chairman Roy W. Cronacher Jr. “Ryan, Karen, Gregg, and George bring invaluable expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication that will help drive our initiatives forward. We are thrilled to welcome them to the IGFA Board.”

Ryan Bergeron, U.S.A

A commercial real estate professional with extensive experience in multifamily acquisitions and development, Ryan Bergeron has a deep-rooted passion for sport fishing, particularly in the Mississippi Delta and the Florida Keys. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University and a Master’s in Real Estate Development & Finance from CASS Business School in London. Bergeron began his career as a financial analyst at Apartment Realty Advisors, contributing to over $450 million in transactions, and later honed his expertise at Cushman & Wakefield as an associate broker. His background includes portfolio management at Northern Trust and leadership roles at Pensam Capital and Conti Street Partners, where he managed over $200 million in transactions. Bergeron also shares his knowledge as an adjunct professor at Rice University and Fordham, teaching real estate economics. An avid angler, he grew up fishing for redfish in the Mississippi Delta and tarpon in the lower Florida Keys. Bergeron is particularly interested in supporting the IGFA’s development efforts in Texas and along the Gulf Coast, ensuring the future of sportfishing in these vital regions.

Karen Comstock, U.S.A.

A seasoned angler with a remarkable fishing resume, Karen Comstock has traveled the world in pursuit of sport fish and has competed in some of the most prestigious international angling tournaments. She and her husband, Rodger, actively participate in six to eight tournaments annually, including the renowned International Masters Angling Tournament and the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica, where they claimed victory in 2023. A dedicated conservationist, Comstock serves as the President/Secretary of the International Roosterfish Tournament and has been a major supporter of the IGFA Roosterfish Research Program, helping to fund crucial research on this iconic species. In addition to her angling pursuits, Comstock has an adventurous spirit and a background that includes a 20-year career as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines. She and her husband maintain an impressive collection of vintage, muscle, and race cars, and they both hold multiple wins in NHRA Drag Racing competitions. When not racing, they spend their time fishing along both coasts of the United States, as well as in Mexico, Bermuda, Australia, West Africa, Portugal, Brazil, and beyond. They keep a residence in Costa Rica, where they frequently fish on their boat, Drag’nFish, a name that reflects their dual passions for angling and drag racing.

Gregg Hemingway, U.S.A. 

A passionate fisherman from Texas, Gregg Hemingway has spent his life immersed in angling, from fishing for bass and coastal species off Port Aransas in his youth to pursuing billfish across South Florida and the Caribbean. He and his wife, Holt, share their love for fishing with their four children, regularly embarking on offshore fishing adventures together. Hemingway is a frequent competitor in billfish tournaments, including the IGFA Light Tackle Open, which he fishes aboard his boat, Texan. While billfish remain his primary focus, he also enjoys targeting trout, snook, and tarpon on both fly and conventional tackle. Outside of fishing, Hemingway runs his family’s industrial real estate business and operates Hemingway’s Boatyard in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. An IGFA Lifetime Member since 2021, he is deeply committed to conservation and ensuring that future generations can experience the thrill of vibrant and healthy fisheries.

George G. Matthews, U.S.A. 

A highly respected figure in IGFA history, George Matthews has played a significant role in shaping the organization over the past five decades. Appointed to the IGFA Board in 1972, he worked closely with IGFA founder Michael Lerner and five of the organization’s eight presidents. He served on the Executive Committee from 1972 to 2000 and again from 2003 to 2011, including two terms as IGFA Chairman. Matthews was instrumental in the fundraising and development efforts that led to the construction of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. During his tenure, he championed financial stability and expanded the IGFA’s global conservation initiatives. In 2011, he stepped down as Chairman but remained an active trustee until his retirement from the Board in 2019. Now, after a six-year hiatus, Matthews returns with renewed dedication to advancing the IGFA’s mission and supporting its efforts worldwide.

Honoring the Legacy of Terri Andrews

The IGFA also acknowledges the retirement of longtime Trustee Terri Andrews, whose impact on the sport fishing community and marine conservation has been profound. A Florida native and accomplished angler, Andrews has been a leader in international fisheries conservation, securing nearly a dozen IGFA World Records while advocating for sustainable angling practices. During her time running Panama’s legendary Tropic Star Lodge Andrews was a pioneer in conservation, working to establish a 20-mile commercial fishing exclusion zone around Piñas Bay, and making the use of circle hooks mandatory to reduce billfish mortality. Her work through CONAMAR (Foundation for the Conservancy of the Sea, Nature, and Marine Species) helped drive critical legislation protecting billfish in Panama.

“Terri’s influence on sport fishing and conservation is immeasurable,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “During her 28-year tenure on the IGFA Board she has been an advocate, a leader, and a champion of ethical angling practices, and we are grateful for her decades of service to the IGFA and the global fishing community.”

As Andrews steps down from the Board, her legacy remains woven into the fabric of the IGFA’s mission and initiatives. The IGFA thanks her for her unwavering dedication and contributions to the sport and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

 

 

To learn more about the current IGFA Board of Trustees, please visit: https://igfa.org/trustees/.