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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.

Todd has enjoyed a multi-faceted career that has given him a wealth of knowledge in the legal, executive and political arenas.  He has the unique experience of working as an attorney, as President and CEO of multiple businesses and organizations, and serving as a legislator.

Todd has served as Chief Counsel of the US Senate Labor and Human Relations Committee for Senator Strom Thurmond, Vice President and General Counsel of the SC Chamber of Commerce, Director of Government and Cabinet Affairs for Governor David Beasley, President and CEO of the SC Manufacturers Alliance, CEO of the SC Medical Association with multiple subsidiary companies, and founder of Coventry Partners.  Todd also served as a member of the SC House of Representatives from 2010-2018, serving on the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Education and Transportation.  In addition, Todd was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Special Committee on Opioid Abuse and the Special Committee on Comprehensive Tax Reform.  After his eight years of service, Todd ran for South Carolina Attorney General, making the run-off against an eight-year incumbent.

In his 28 years of work and service in both the private and public sectors, Todd has earned a respected reputation for his leadership, effectiveness and integrity.

Todd has enjoyed a multi-faceted career that has given him a wealth of knowledge in the legal, executive and political arenas.  He has the unique experience of working as an attorney, as President and CEO of multiple businesses and organizations, and serving as a legislator.

Todd has served as Chief Counsel of the US Senate Labor and Human Relations Committee for Senator Strom Thurmond, Vice President and General Counsel of the SC Chamber of Commerce, Director of Government and Cabinet Affairs for Governor David Beasley, President and CEO of the SC Manufacturers Alliance, CEO of the SC Medical Association with multiple subsidiary companies, and founder of Coventry Partners.  Todd also served as a member of the SC House of Representatives from 2010-2018, serving on the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, the Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Education and Transportation.  In addition, Todd was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Special Committee on Opioid Abuse and the Special Committee on Comprehensive Tax Reform.  After his eight years of service, Todd ran for South Carolina Attorney General, making the run-off against an eight-year incumbent.

In his 28 years of work and service in both the private and public sectors, Todd has earned a respected reputation for his leadership, effectiveness and integrity.

Todd Atwater

Vice President of Government Relations

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.

Chris Butler is Chair of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance and President of Butler Marine with two full-service boat dealerships in Beaufort and Charleston, as well as a dry stack in Port Royal.  He has been in the marine business for 20 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Center for Sportfishing Policy. 

Butler Marine has been a member of Best in Class for Yamaha Dealers for seven years in row.

Chris started his career with Ernst and Young in Pittsburgh, PA but soon moved to the Lowcountry to open a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dealership in Beaufort with his Dad and Brother. Since selling the dealership in 2005, Chris has concentrated on the Marine Industry.

His hobbies include boating, fishing, and hunting.  He has two children who attended Clemson University and a wife, Maureen, who he has been married to for 27 years.

Chris Butler is Chair of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance and President of Butler Marine with two full-service boat dealerships in Beaufort and Charleston, as well as a dry stack in Port Royal.  He has been in the marine business for 20 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Center for Sportfishing Policy. 

Butler Marine has been a member of Best in Class for Yamaha Dealers for seven years in row.

Chris started his career with Ernst and Young in Pittsburgh, PA but soon moved to the Lowcountry to open a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dealership in Beaufort with his Dad and Brother. Since selling the dealership in 2005, Chris has concentrated on the Marine Industry.

His hobbies include boating, fishing, and hunting.  He has two children who attended Clemson University and a wife, Maureen, who he has been married to for 27 years.

Chris Butler

Chair

Board of directors

2024

Chris Butler, Chair

Butler Marine

Bubba Roof

Sea Hunt Boats

Barry Avent

Stingray Boats

Jon Boswell

Quantum Paints

Ryan Balderson

Sea Fox Boats

Dave Pfeiffer

Shimano

Dave Bulthius 

Pure Fishing

Kelly Long

Rather Outdoors

Jimmy Hancock

Sea Pro Boats

Russ Tomlinson, Government Relations

Sportsman Boats

Davy Hite

Bassmaster Classic Champion

Grant Kaple, Treasurer

Hilton Head Boathouse

Matt Landsea

Palmetto State Armory

Alan Lang

Scout Boats

Ryan Marcott

Bentley Pontoons

Tom Marlowe

Key West Boats

Jimmy Metts

Tidewater Boats

Tom Mullikin

Mullikin Law

John O’Keefe 

Yamaha Motors

Miriam Atria

Capital City Lake Murray Country

Ross Self, Ex-Officio

SCDNR

Henry Sikes

Pioneer/Bulls Bay/Avenger

Patrick Stamps, Marketing 

Local Boy Outfitters

Mickey Thompson

Sportsmans Choice

Dr. Lisa Waller, Workforce Development 

Falcon Boats

David Winters

Rusty Hooks Tackle Shop

Chris Butler, Chair

Butler Marine

Bubba Roof

Sea Hunt Boats

Barry Avent

Stingray Boats

Jon Boswell

Quantum Paints

Ryan Balderson

Sea Fox Boats

Dave Pfeiffer

Shimano

Dave Bulthius

Pure Fishing

Kelly Long

Rather Outdoors

Jimmy Hancock

Sea Pro Boats

Russ Tomlinson, Government Relations

Sportsman Boats

Davy Hite

Bassmaster Classic Champion

Grant Kaple, Treasurer

Hilton Head Boathouse

Matt Landsea

Palmetto State Armory

Alan Lang

Scout Boats

Ryan Marcott

Bentley Pontoons

Tom Marlowe

Key West Boats

Jimmy Metts

Tidewater Boats

Tom Mullikin

Mullikin Law

John O’Keefe

Yamaha Motors

Miriam Atria

Capital City Lake Murray Country

Ross Self, Ex-Officio

SCDNR

Henry Sikes

Pioneer/Bulls Bay/Avenger

Patrick Stamps, Marketing 

Local Boy Outfitters

Mickey Thompson

Sportsmans Choice

Dr. Lisa Waller, Workforce Development 

Falcon Boats

David Winters

Rusty Hooks Tackle Shop

JOIN US TODAY

We need you to protect and expand boating and fishing in the Palmetto State!

With your $25 individual contribution, you will receive an SCBFA-branded neck gaiter and sticker, along with our exclusive e-newsletter.

Please note this membership is for individuals. If you would like to contribute on behalf of your business, please email: [email protected]

Contributions to the organization are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions.