New Executive Director Takes Helm of CCA Virginia

RICHMOND, VA - After an extensive search, Coastal Conservation Association Virginia announces that David Hickman has been appointed executive director of the state chapter. Hickman, a lifelong saltwater sport fisherman, comes to CCA Virginia with more than 15 years of business management and communications experience.

“David Hickman is an excellent person to lead our organization,” said Lee Kelly, president of CCA Virginia. “His business and organizational skills will allow the state chapter to become even more effective in the field of marine resource conservation. Our members and chapters will all benefit from his expertise.”

A Virginia native, Hickman received his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and did post-graduate work at Virginia Commonwealth University. He comes to CCA Virginia from Julian’s Restaurants, where he most recently directed sales and marketing. Julian’s Restaurants, based in Richmond, has been the Hickman family business for 75 years.

“With his business background and deep sense of community, we are fortunate to have David with CCA Virginia,” said David Cummins, CCA national president. “State chapter Chairman John Bello and the CCA Virginia search committee should be commended for their efforts to find the right person to build on the chapter’s past successes and take it to the next level.”

 CCA Virginia is the state’s leading saltwater fisheries conservation organization. Recent activities include winning adoption of the first-ever menhaden harvest cap in Chesapeake Bay by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, advocating for the continued rebuilding of the striped bass population, and successfully fighting to keep destructive commercial fishing gear away from the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel.

“As executive director, David will work to strengthen the foundation of the CCA model here in Virginia - membership recruitment, banquet fundraising, communication and advocacy,” said David Nobles, CA Virginia vice president. “We will have an efficient organization focused on keeping our members on top of fishery issues and seeking any opportunity to make our coastal waters a better place for recreational anglers.”

In accepting the position, Hickman stated his belief that saltwater sport fishermen need effective representation at both the state and national level to advance conservation goals.

“I understand the importance of a national organization like CCA that has the ability to influence important conservation issues not just in Virginia, but all along our coast,” Hickman said. “My goal is to revitalize the CCA Virginia chapter and make it an engine for good fisheries management. We are going to do everything we can for our marine resources, and I invite all recreational anglers to get on board as we build this organization. You will be hearing a lot more from your CCA Virginia.”

 Coastal Conservation Association is a national organization of 90,000 members in 15 state chapters. CCA’s mission is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.