HomeNewsPeter Vandergrift Becomes Costa Sunglasses’ Fly Fishing Community Leader Daytona Beach, Fla. – – Peter Vandergrift has signed on as Costa Sunglasses’ fly fishing community leader. Based in Bozeman, Mont., Vandergrift will serve as the community leader between Costa and fly fishing guides, outfitters, retailers, conservation groups, film makers and other fishing industry professionals. Most recently, Vandergrift worked as the Pro Guide Desk Manager at Simms, where he developed the Simms Guide Ambassador Program and pro purchase program. He also helped manage and host the Simms ICE OUT, Slack Tide Guide Gathering and numerous regional pro staff events for the brand. Vandergrift operated as a fly fishing guide and outfitter in Alaska, Montana and Wyoming for 20 years, focusing primarily on trout and salmon. He’s also served as a contributing features writer for magazines including American Angler, Big Sky Journal and Montana Sporting Journal. He holds a bachelors of arts and sciences degree in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Montana in Missoula. “I was inspired by Costa’s commitment to conservation, and jumped at the chance to help play a role within the organization,” said Vandergrift. “My goal is not only to build and grow partnerships for the brand within the fly fishing industry, but also to serve as a fly fishing community voice, identifying important issues affecting this group and working towards solutions where Costa can help.” “Peter’s well known and well respected within the fly fishing world, and he brings a wealth of understanding about the industry to this role,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa Sunglasses. “His contributions to our team will be invaluable as we continue to grow our relationships with fly fishing anglers, and the organizations that support them.” Vandergrift will help lead Costa’s partnerships within the fly fishing industry, such as the company’s long term support of Trout Unlimited (TU) and, most recently, its 5 Rivers program, which promotes TU’s mission on college and university campuses around the country. He will also continue to manage Costa’s Project Permit, an ongoing permit tagging project, in conjunction with Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT). Since its inception in 2010, the program has expanded to include permit tagging efforts in Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico. In addition, Vandergrift will help share Costa’s film projects within the fly fishing community. The company has produced many award-winning films, including “Jungle Fish,” a story about how fly fishing tourism could boost economic development for a village in Guyana, which won the 2013 LightStay Sustainability Film Award from the Sundance Institute and Hilton Worldwide. Costa is also currently producing the “GeoFish” film series, a chronicle of fly fishing adventure in search of the most rare fish species across the planet. – See more at: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/300869#sthash.XxGih2qf.dpuf
