Why Get Involved?
We love the great outdoors.
As boating and fishing enthusiasts, we know how valuable every moment is that we spend on the water. The South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) is the united voice of boating and fishing in South Carolina. The SCBFA brings together manufacturers, dealers, retailers, boaters and anglers under one banner to grow and protect access to great water, great fishing, and the great experiences that make South Carolina’s waterways some of the best in America. Join us today to ensure the best of boating and fishing not only for yourself, but for the next generation in South Carolina.
Mission, Vision, Goals
Vision
To be the voice of boaters, anglers and the industry that serves them.
Mission
The mission of The South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) is to be a positive influence for the protection and growth of South Carolina’s boating and fishing industry through advocacy, education and stewardship.
GOALS
Expand and protect the boating and fishing industry in South Carolina
Promote boating and fishing interests through grassroots and legislative efforts
Connect the outdoor lifestyle to economic growth policies
Promote workforce readiness and statewide industry promotion
Who we are
Gettys Brannon
Chief Executive Officer
Gettys Brannon
Chief Executive Officer
Gettys is the CEO of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance.
As the former President of the University of South Carolina Bass Fishing Team, Gettys won the College Fishing National Championship, and became a two-time College Fishing All-American and FLW Cup Qualifier. During his time at USC, Gettys worked as a journalist for B.A.S.S. and JM Productions. His work has been published internationally and featured in numerous outdoor publications and major networks, including the ESPN family of networks, NBC Sports, B.A.S.S. Times, and Bassmaster Magazine. In 2022, Gettys was named to Boating Industry Magazine’s 40 under 40.
Before Gettys’s work in the outdoors industry, he interned for South Carolina Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler as a communications aide for the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus. Since that time, his work with McAlister Communications has included serving as the Communications Coordinator for the Bass Anglers Sportsmans Society (B.A.S.S.), where he helped journalists tell the greatest stories of sportsmen and sportswomen across the United States, founding and developing the SCBFA, and focusing on environmental and natural resources issues in the public arena.
Gettys’ unique understanding of both sides of the reporter’s notebook, guides journalists through niche storytelling tailored to their audience. Gettys received his B.A. in Mass Communications focusing in Advertising and Visual Communications from the University of South Carolina. Gettys currently serves on the executive committees of the S.C. Center for Fathers and Families Board of Trustees, a statewide nonprofit focused on providing fathers with the means to be great dads, the Youth Corps SC Board of Directors, a nonprofit in Columbia focused on developing leaders of tomorrow, and on the Board of Directors for the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board. Gettys is a native of Gaffney, S.C.
Gettys is the CEO of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance.
As the former President of the University of South Carolina Bass Fishing Team, Gettys won the College Fishing National Championship, and became a two-time College Fishing All-American and FLW Cup Qualifier. During his time at USC, Gettys worked as a journalist for B.A.S.S. and JM Productions. His work has been published internationally and featured in numerous outdoor publications and major networks, including the ESPN family of networks, NBC Sports, B.A.S.S. Times, and Bassmaster Magazine. In 2022, Gettys was named to Boating Industry Magazine’s 40 under 40.
Before Gettys’s work in the outdoors industry, he interned for South Carolina Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler as a communications aide for the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus. Since that time, his work with McAlister Communications has included serving as the Communications Coordinator for the Bass Anglers Sportsmans Society (B.A.S.S.), where he helped journalists tell the greatest stories of sportsmen and sportswomen across the United States, founding and developing the SCBFA, and focusing on environmental and natural resources issues in the public arena.
Gettys’ unique understanding of both sides of the reporter’s notebook, guides journalists through niche storytelling tailored to their audience. Gettys received his B.A. in Mass Communications focusing in Advertising and Visual Communications from the University of South Carolina. Gettys currently serves on the executive committees of the S.C. Center for Fathers and Families Board of Trustees, a statewide nonprofit focused on providing fathers with the means to be great dads, the Youth Corps SC Board of Directors, a nonprofit in Columbia focused on developing leaders of tomorrow, and on the Board of Directors for the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board. Gettys is a native of Gaffney, S.C.
Bob McAlister
Senior Advisor
Bob is founder and CEO of McAlister Communications, a 26-year-old public relations and marketing firm. Bob has spent four decades in the nation’s media-political axis as a strategist in crisis management, media relations, communications planning, grassroots organization and public policy issues. A former broadcast and newspaper journalist, Bob has an intimate knowledge of both sides of the reporter’s notebook – a critical advantage for clients in the public eye. Bob also understands crisis communications.
Chief of Staff to former Governor Carroll Campbell, Bob is familiar with the role effective communications plays in the public realm. He was responsible for all communications before, during and after Hurricane Hugo’s devastating strike on South Carolina and has counseled other major political and business leaders on crises.
He has served as a public relations and communications consultant for well-known political figures in South Carolina such as Senators Strom Thurmond, Lindsey Graham, Governor David Beasley and many legislative leaders, including the President of the South Carolina Senate. He was also a communications consultant in the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush and Senator John McCain.
His corporate client list has included prominent companies and organizations such as Walmart, Amazon, B.A.S.S., Progress Energy, the SCANA Corp, Century Aluminum, Advance America, S. C. Competitiveness Council, the S.C. State Ports Authority, Hughes Development Corporation and the South Carolina Research Authority, just to name a few.
Bob is an avid outdoorsman and spends most weekends fishing for smallmouth bass on the Broad River.
Bob is founder and CEO of McAlister Communications, a 26-year-old public relations and marketing firm. Bob has spent four decades in the nation’s media-political axis as a strategist in crisis management, media relations, communications planning, grassroots organization and public policy issues. A former broadcast and newspaper journalist, Bob has an intimate knowledge of both sides of the reporter’s notebook – a critical advantage for clients in the public eye. Bob also understands crisis communications.
Chief of Staff to former Governor Carroll Campbell, Bob is familiar with the role effective communications plays in the public realm. He was responsible for all communications before, during and after Hurricane Hugo’s devastating strike on South Carolina and has counseled other major political and business leaders on crises.
He has served as a public relations and communications consultant for well-known political figures in South Carolina such as Senators Strom Thurmond, Lindsey Graham, Governor David Beasley and many legislative leaders, including the President of the South Carolina Senate. He was also a communications consultant in the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush and Senator John McCain.
His corporate client list has included prominent companies and organizations such as Walmart, Amazon, B.A.S.S., Progress Energy, the SCANA Corp, Century Aluminum, Advance America, S. C. Competitiveness Council, the S.C. State Ports Authority, Hughes Development Corporation and the South Carolina Research Authority, just to name a few.
Bob is an avid outdoorsman and spends most weekends fishing for smallmouth bass on the Broad River.
Russ Tomlinson brings extensive experience and a passion for leadership to his role as Chairman of the South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance (SCBFA).
In 2023, Russ became President of Sportsman Boats & Phenom Yachts, succeeding industry legend and Sportsman founder Tommy Hancock. Since its inception in 2011, Sportsman Boats has grown exponentially — from six employees to 470 and from a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing space to 400,000 square feet. Under Russ’s leadership, the company continues to strengthen partnerships with industry leaders like Yamaha, Mercury, Garmin, and SeaKeeper while maintaining its focus on building cutting-edge, family-friendly fishing boats. Russ is dedicated to fostering a strong team culture, developing leadership, and driving innovation and continuous improvement.
Russ has been a committed member of SCBFA, serving as Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the past three years. His contributions to the boating industry were recognized in 2024 when he was named to Boating Industry’s 40 Under 40.
A 2009 graduate of the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in business, Russ was also a standout athlete, earning Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors as a pitcher for the college baseball team.
Based in Charleston, SC, Russ is deeply connected to his community. He serves as a deacon at Christ Church Presbyterian and enjoys hunting, fishing, family trips, and coaching his children’s youth baseball teams. He and his wife, Becca, are the proud parents of four sons.
Russ Tomlinson
Chairman
Board of directors
2024
Chris Butler, Past-Chair
Butler Marine
Bubba Roof
Sea Hunt Boats
Barry Avent
Stingray Boats
Jon Boswell
Quantum Paints
Scott Cothran
Freeman Boatworks
Dave Pfeiffer
Shimano
Jake Dawson
Pure Fishing
Kelly Long
Rather Outdoors
Jimmy Hancock
Sea Pro Boats
Russ Tomlinson, Chairman
Sportsman Boats
Davy Hite
Bassmaster Classic Champion
Grant Kaple, Treasurer
Hilton Head Boathouse
Edmund Gant
Sunbrella
Alan Lang, Secretary
Scout Boats
Ryan Marcott, Vice-Chairman
Bentley Pontoons
Tom Marlowe
Key West Boats
Jimmy Metts
Tidewater Boats
John O’Keefe
Yamaha Motors
Miriam Atria
Capital City Lake Murray Country
Ross Self, Ex-Officio
SCDNR
Roy McSwain
Pioneer/Bulls Bay/Avenger
Patrick Stamps
Local Boy Outfitters
Mickey Thompson
Sportsmans Choice
Dr. Lisa Waller
Falcon Boats
David Winters
Rusty Hooks Tackle Shop
Chris Butler, Past-Chair
Butler Marine
Bubba Roof
Sea Hunt Boats
Barry Avent
Stingray Boats
Jon Boswell
Quantum Paints
Scott Cothran
Freeman Boatworks
Dave Pfeiffer
Shimano
Jake Dawson
Pure Fishing
Kelly Long
Rather Outdoors
Jimmy Hancock
Sea Pro Boats
Russ Tomlinson, Chairman
Sportsman Boats
Davy Hite
Bassmaster Classic Champion
Grant Kaple, Treasurer
Hilton Head Boathouse
Edmund Gant
Sunbrella
Alan Lang, Secretary
Scout Boats
Ryan Marcott, Vice-Chairman
Bentley Pontoons
Tom Marlowe
Key West Boats
Jimmy Metts
Tidewater Boats
John O’Keefe
Yamaha Motors
Miriam Atria
Capital City Lake Murray Country
Ross Self, Ex-Officio
SCDNR
Roy McSwain
Pioneer/Bulls Bay/Avenger
Patrick Stamps
Local Boy Outfitters
Mickey Thompson
Sportsmans Choice
Dr. Lisa Waller
Falcon Boats
David Winters
Rusty Hooks Tackle Shop
