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
Testimony in Support of S 772 and S 501
On April 19th, RISAA offered testimony to the RI Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture in support of two bills that aim to reform the structure of the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC).
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.
Help RISAA honor Steve at Black Point
Steve Medeiros was certainly one of a kind. He had an unmatched vision for how recreational saltwater anglers could band together and make a positive change. Much more than having…
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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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Fishing regulations for 2020
The Saltwater Fishing Regulations for 2022 in RI will soon be finalized. RIDEM held their public hearing on the recreational regulations on February 7 and the final decision will be…
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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
Greg Vespe
Executive Director
A ten year member or RISAA, Greg became the executive director of our organization during the fall of 2021. Considered one of RI’s top anglers, Greg has presented seminars for RISAA and other local clubs as well as multiple presentations at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show.
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 for the past 17 years, Susan is serving her third term as RISAA Secretary. Susan is also a member of the 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.
Ron Barnes
Board Member
Ron has been a member of RISAA for three years and is the current Chair of the Surfcaster’s Committee. This year marks Ron’s first term on the board.
RISAA Contacts
| By-Laws Committee | Robert Blasi, Chair | blasi@risaa.org | 401-527-5157 |
| Charities Committee | Ralph Orleck, Chair | orleck@risaa.org | 401-323-0657 |
| Charter Trips Committee | Hal Gibson, Chair | gibson@risaa.org | 401-524-9035 |
| Dealer Discount Program | Gilbert Bell, Coordinator | gil@risaa.org | 401-315-2529 |
| Education Committee. | Thomas Wood, Chair | tomwood@risaa.org | 401-263-3909 |
| Elections Committee | Gisele Golembeski, Chair | gisele@risaa.org | 401-935-0827 |
| Financial Review Committee | Raymond Marchak, CPA | finance@risaa.org | 401-826-2121 |
| Fly Fishing Committee | John W. Edwards II | edwards@risaa.org | 650-773-4168 |
| Foundation Committee | Michael Warner, Chair | warner@risaa.org | 401-364-0027 |
| Fund-Raising Committee | Lawrence Hill, Chair | hill@risaa.org | 774-280-0155 |
| Kayak Committee | Kraig Ruth, Chair | ruth@risaa.org. | 401-640-3679 |
| Legislative Committee | Richard Hittinger, Chair | hittinber@risaa.org | 401-739-1875 |
| Artificial Reefs Subcommittee | Richard Hittinger, Chair | hittinger@risaa.org | 401-739-1875 |
| Menhaden Subcommittee | David Monti, Chair | monti@risaa.org | 401-480-3444 |
| Public Access Subcommittee | Peter Jenkins, Chair | jenkins@risaa.org | 401-826-2121 |
| Merchandise Committee | Gary Johnson, Chair | gary@risaa.org | 401-787-5981 |
| Political Action Committee. | Greg Vespe | vespe@risaa.org | 401-662-5573 |
| Newsletter | Greg Vespe | vespe@risaa.org | 401-662-5573 |
| Saltwater Fishing Show | Bob Murray | murray@risaa.org | 401-378-5895 |
| Scholarship Committee | David Michel, Chair | michel@risaa.org | 401-952-8697 |
| Surfcasters Committee | Ron Barnes, Chair | barnes@risaa.org | 508-058-6781 |
| Tag & Release Program | Robert Murray, Coordinator | murray@risaa.org | 401-378-5895 |
| Tournaments Committee | Vacant | ||
| Welcome Committee | Dawn Filliatreault Wood, Chair | wood@risaa.org | 401 263-3919 |