About RISAA

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association is a non-profit organization, created to provide a forum for recreational saltwater anglers;  to provide education to members concerning fishing techniques, improved catches, and overall enjoyment of fishing;  to foster sportsmanship;  to support marine conservation and sound management of fisheries resources;  and provide a unified voice to preserve and protect the rights, traditions and the future of recreational fishing in Rhode Island.

Established in 1997, the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association by-laws define our organization, and our membership subscribes to a code of ethics that guides our actions while fishing. As one of the largest saltwater fishing associations in the United States, our charter has now undergone nine revisions, and we remain confident that we will continue to evolve with our fisheries.

The organization is lead by a board of directors with six officers and six directors. We have a number of committees focused on specific initiatives or forms of fishing – the names of the groups and contact information is available below.

We maintain cooperative relationships with many fishing-oriented groups, and have an active list of suppliers in RI and the vicinity offering member discounts.

Board News

Concern Regarding Potential Menhaden Regulation Changes

The Board of Directors of Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) is concerned by a recent recommendation made by the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council regarding potential changes to state Menhaden regulations. During its April 3, 2023 meeting, the council voted to recommend a modification to Marine Fisheries regulations that would allow commercial fishing vessels to harvest 50,000 lbs of Menhaden per week in the Menhaden Management Area (MMA), regardless of whether the MMA is open based on biomass estimates.

RISAA and why fish clubs still matter

In today’s day and age of ever-competing time challenges and the dominance of social media, why do fishing clubs and RISAA still matter? Originally, fishing clubs were ever-present in coastal…
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A look back, a look ahead

The New Year has arrived, and that brings with it time for us to reflect on the season that was and the season to come. Hopefully, each of us had…
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Executive Leadership

Scott Travers

Executive Director

Scott joined RISAA as our executive director in June of 2023.  He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Salve Regina University with experience with the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Education Program expanding recreational fishing opportunities.  He is a  fly tying Instructor,  avid fly angler in both saltwater and freshwater, kayak angler, quoahogger, and wildlife conservationist.

Officers

Dawn Filliatreault Wood

President

Dawn has been a RISAA member for 14 years and is now serving her fourth year on the board and first year as the President. She serves as Chair of the Education Committee, Chair of the Membership/Welcome Committee and is a member of the Legislative, New England Saltwater Fishing Show and Saltwater License Plate Committees.  She has previously served on the Charter Trips Committee.  She has volunteered many hours at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show and Take a Kid Fishing Day as well as a number of other RISAA events.  

Capt. Richard Hittinger

1st Vice President

Rich is now in his 15th year as an officer. He is chairman of the RISAA Legislative and Artificial Reefs Committees. He also serves on the Political Action Committee and Youth Fishing Camp committee. Rich represents RISAA on several state fisheries and environmental groups. 

Fred DeFinis

2nd Vice President

Fred has been a RISAA member since 2020. He serves as Secretary of the Legislative Committee and is a member of the ad hoc Magazine Committee. He has also worked on the development of the AnglerCatch app and conducts surveys on behalf of the Club.

Susan Lema

Secretary

A member since 2002, Susan is serving her sixth term as RISAA Secretary. Susan is also a member of the Saltwater Fishing Show, Charter Trips and Legislative Committees. Considered a top angler, Susan has presented seminars at RISAA meetings and at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show.

Capt. Steve Skenyon

Treasurer

Steve has been a member of RISAA since 2018 and this is his first year as Treasurer.  He also serves on the Legislative Committee by monitoring the status of bills relevant to RISAA interests.  Steve is licensed CPA and also has his USCG 50 ton Captain’s license.

David Michel

Sergant-At-Arms

David has been a RISAA member since 2008 and has served  on the Board of Directors as Sergeant-at Arms since 2019. David is the Chair of our Scholarship Committee, and is a member of the Education Committee and the Legislative Committee. David earned his USCG Captain’s license in 2020 after studying with RISAA member  Capt. Mike Littlefield at Narragansett Bay Marine Training. 

Directors

Karlis Kaugars

Board Member

Karlis was a freshwater fisherman until moving to RI and becoming addicted to the salt. He helps with the website and all things IT for RISAA

Robert Murray

Board Member

A RISAA Member for 17 years, this is Bob’s 9th term on the Board. He is the administrator of RISAA’s Tag & Release Program, and is an active member of the Legislative Committee.

Richard Reich

Board Member

Richard has been a member for 18 years. He previously served on the Board in 2017 and 2018. He is Vice Chair of the Surfcasters Committee and also serves on both the Legislative and Youth Fishing Camp Committees.

Kraig Ruth

Board Member

Kraig has been a RISAA member since 2007. He has been a member of the Kayak Committee since 2009 and has been the Kayak Committee Chairman since 2018. Kraig is a member of the Legislative Committee.

Bob Marco

Board Member

Bob has been a member of RISAA since 2007 and is the current Chair of the Merchandise Committee.  This year marks Bob’s first term on the board. 

Gary Johnson

Board Member

Gary has been a RISAA member for over 18 years, and has been serving on the board since 2015. He serves on the legislative, show and camp committees and led the merchandise committee for 10 years.

RISAA Contacts

By-Laws CommitteeRobert Blasi, Chairblasi@risaa.org401-527-5157
Charities CommitteeRalph Orleck, Chairorleck@risaa.org401-323-0657
Charter Trips CommitteeHal Gibson, Chairgibson@risaa.org401-524-9035
Dealer Discount ProgramGilbert Bell, Coordinatorgil@risaa.org401-315-2529
Education Committee.Dawn Wood, Chairwood@risaa.org401-263-3909
Elections CommitteeGisele Golembeski, Chairgisele@risaa.org401-935-0827
Financial Review CommitteeRaymond Marchak, CPAfinance@risaa.org401-826-2121
Fly Fishing CommitteeJohn W. Edwards IIedwards@risaa.org650-773-4168
Foundation CommitteeBrian Megleybjmegley@aol.com
Fund-Raising CommitteeOpen
Kayak CommitteeKraig Ruth, Chairruth@risaa.org401-640-3679
Legislative CommitteeRichard Hittinger, Chairhittinger@risaa.org401-739-1875
  Artificial Reefs SubcommitteeRichard Hittinger, Chairhittinger@risaa.org401-739-1875
  Menhaden SubcommitteeDavid Monti, Chairmonti@risaa.org401-480-3444
  Public Access SubcommitteePeter Jenkins, Chairjenkins@risaa.org401-826-2121
Merchandise CommitteeBob Marcormarco20@hotmail.com
Political Action Committee.Scott Traverstravers@risaa.org401-826-2121
Member MagazineFred DeFinisdefinis@risaa.org
Saltwater Fishing ShowBob Murraymurray@risaa.org401-378-5895
Scholarship CommitteeDavid Michel, Chairmichel@risaa.org401-952-8697
Surfcasters CommitteeRich Heffernan, Chairsurfcasters@risaa.org401-742-9888
Tag & Release ProgramRobert Murray, Coordinatormurray@risaa.org401-378-5895
Tournaments CommitteeMike Roy, Chairroy@risaa.org
Welcome CommitteeDawn Filliatreault Wood, Chairwood@risaa.org401 263-3919