TAMPA, Fla.— Last year, Tim Parker was casting lines for the University of Florida’s college bass fishing team. Now, the college graduate finds himself in the new Marketing Outreach Officer role at Bob’s Machine Shop.
“It’s a new position,” says Parker. “It’s completely new for Bob’s. I think more and more companies involved in the fishing and boating industry are realizing the need for a dedicated marketing position as the importance for this role increases.”
Bob’s Machine Shop, the legendary Florida-based manufacturer of jack plates, boating accessories and performance accessories says Parker’s background in collegiate bass fishing and saltwater angling is a natural fit for their company.
“We are very excited to have Tim join our team,” says Bob’s Machine Shop Vice President of Sales & Marketing Steve Pelini. “On top of having a great degree from the University of Florida, Tim is a passionate angler that is well-versed across the board. Growing up in the Tampa area, he is well-versed in saltwater angling, having competed in the IFA collegiate redfish series, and his collegiate bass fishing experience makes him a perfect fit for our pro staff in freshwater as well. We look forward to having Tim on the water and in the office working on new advertising materials, new advertising channels and also in testing and developing new products to bring to market.”
Parker will initially assist Bob’s in promotion of new products like the Big D Trolling Motor Handle and must-haves like DeckPlugs, True Tracker stabilizer plates and Bob’s famous line of hydraulic jack plates.
“UF was the first college bass fishing that Bob’s sponsored,” recalls Parker. “They took time to come to us with their products, their time and their support. That blew me away. I was so thankful for that support that I started to naturally build a relationship with Bob’s, and when this opportunity came open, I knew it was something that doesn’t come around often. I feel blessed and excited to be here in this role.”
Parker says he hopes to translate his insight from the BASS and FLW collegiate bass fishing universe into new connections for Bob’s Machine Shop.
“When college bass fishing started eight or nine years ago, there were 35 teams. Now, there are 550-600 schools competing. There are many people connecting with that sport, and in the next 5-10 years, the people fishing college now will be moving up to the top ranks. There are still a lot of college anglers, every day anglers and even Elite Series anglers who I’d like to see using the best products out there, and those come from Bob’s Machine Shop.”
Parker graduated from the University of Florida in 2016 with a degree in Natural Resource Conservation. “I’ve only been at Bob’s for two weeks, and the people here are so great that I already feel like part of the family,” he adds.
See all of the new Bob’s Machine Shop products at bobsmachine.com. You can reach Tim Parker at tim@bobsmachine.com.
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