Board of Trustees

IWFA SCHOLARSHIP TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2023 - 2025

Chair, Connie O’Day, Pearland TX

IWFA member since 2004, currently serves as Membership Connection Chair
IWFA Scholarship Trust Trustee since 2011, served as Secretary from 2013 to 2017, currently serves as Chair
Engaged in fishing education and conservation for children: Holds week long fishing camps for elementary and middle school age children, and elicits the help of teens and young adults to encourage and insure the children respect, love and be educated in fish conservation.
Member of IGFA, The Billfish Foundation and CCA
Past Chairman of Matagorda Episcopal Hospital Outreach Program
Retired RN and Hospice volunteer

Vice Chair, Nancy Llacuna, Cape Coral, FL

Secretary, Rebel K. Caplinger, Mandeville, LA

Treasurer, Joan Vernon, Key Biscayne FL

IWFA member since 1983, President 1993-1997
IWFA Scholarship Trust Trustee since 1984, currently serves as Treasurer
IGFA world record holder
IGFA Hall of Fame recipient 2013
The Billfish Foundation Chairman 2008
Organized and managed the Presidential Challenge Tournament Series for the past 20 years
Managed the Miami Billfish Tournament for 35 years
Coordinated the introduction of circle hooks to the USA tournament circuit, currently working on introduction for overseas tournaments
Member of former Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club, the only woman to receive Gold Card membership
Served on Board of Directors, former South Florida Metropolitan (MET), Women’s Master Angler 3 years, Overall Fly Champion 1 year
Member of IGFA, The Billfish Foundation, The Presidential Challenge Charitable Foundation Inc.

Rules Chair, Lisa O. Everett, Nags Head NC

IWFA member since 2005, currently serves as Rules Chair (on IWFA board)
IWFA Scholarship Trust Trustee since 2013, currently serves as Vice-Chairman
3-time winner of The Billfish Foundation Top Lady Release Angler
Participated in Guy Harvey marlin satellite tagging program
Member of North Carolina Master Angler Program
Member of IGFA, The Billfish Foundation
Currently serves on board of directors for The Boykin Spaniel Society and The Boykin Spaniel Foundation, founding member and current Treasurer of The Mid Atlantic Boykin Spaniel Club, and the Elis Olsson Memorial Foundation (a philanthropy foundation). Previously served as President, Secretary and board member of the Pirates Cove Sextant Village Homeowners Association

Awards Chair, Pamela Marmin, Miami FL

IWFA member since 1994
IWFA Board of Directors since 2003, currently serves as Awards Chair
IWFA Scholarship Trust Trustee since 1999, currently serves as Chairman
IGFA world record holder
Served on Board of Directors, former South Florida Metropolitan (MET)
Member of IGFA, The Billfish Foundation, CCA
Previously owned and operated a small business in the communications field for 15 years
Previous President of Business Inc., a small business owners’ association, Miami FL

Trustee, Brooke Black, Tavernier FL

Trustee, Susan Villere, Mandeville LA

IWFA member since 1996, currently serves as Rules Chair 2017 - 2019
IWFA Scholarship Trust Trustee since 2010, served as Chairman from 2013 to 2017, current Trustee 2017 - 2019
Appointed to Gulf Of Mexico Fisheries Management Council by President George W Bush in 2005
Co-chair of IWFA Venice Louisiana tournaments for 15 years
CCA Louisiana volunteer, member and board member for 25 years
Inducted into CCA Hall of Fame in 2014
IGFA World Record Holder
Member of IGFA, The Billfish Foundation & CCA

Trustee Denise Freihofer - Present IWFA President, Stuart, FL

IWFA member since 2000, currently serves as President 2023-2025
IWFA board member since 2011. Serviced Yearbook Chair, Secretary, 1st VP
Volunteer at Mary’s Home, Stuart, FL
Member IGFA, CCA, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Trout Unlimited, Adirondack Mountain Club, Lake George Association

Krissy Hewes, Wiborg, Miami Shores, FL

JoEllen Wilson, Punta Gorda, FL

IWFA Member since 2020
IWFA Scholarship Trusts Trustee since 2020
Bachelor’s of Marine Science, 2009
MS Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2015
Biological Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), 2007 - 2009
Membership Administrator & Research Assistant, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, 2009-2012
Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Program Manager, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, 2014 - Present

Trustee, Katie Hayden, Houston, TX