SFC Was Launched In An Effort to Showcase the Sport of Saltwater Fishing

Sport fishing championship staff

• Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer

  Mark Neifeld

  Mark Neifeld is a passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist, focusing much of his personal time on supporting local small businesses, coaching young entrepreneurs, working with SFC competitors on building their brands & businesses around their love for angling, and supporting early stage companies. Neifeld is the President, CEO and Commissioner of the Sport Fishing Championship. In 2021, he founded the world's largest saltwater fishing championship series with a goal to "bring people together through world-class competition." As a native of Sarasota, Florida, Neifeld was driven by his passion for saltwater angling and his professional experience working on some of the country's most notable championship events. Neifeld's career includes front office roles with the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Lightning, Georgia Dome and as a Vice President with the Texas Rangers. While CEO of Complex Sports & Entertainment, Neifeld created and launched multiple touring properties including Topgolf LIVE! and Monster Energy Stadium Blitz with co-founder, Rob Gronkowski. Throughout his professional career, Neifeld has worked on multiple championship events including the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (Final Four), Academy of Country Music Awards, Super Bowl, multiple WWE Wrestlemanias, CONCACAF Gold Cups, championship boxing bouts, college football bowl games and many more. Neifeld lives in Trophy Club, Texas, with his wife Danielle, three children, Cole, Kennedy, and Blakely, and their 65 pound Siberian Husky, Ronin. In his leisure time, he can be found fishing, golfing, exploring new music and coaching football.

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• Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

  Clete McQuinn

  Clete McQuinn, C.P.A. has served as a senior executive for the last 35+ years.  Most recently he was instrumental in launching two SaaS platforms: MindVue, a technology platform that measures and develops mindsets, and InnerZone, a software platform that identifies and predicts team chemistry. Prior to InnerZone, Mr. McQuinn was COO of a sports technology company. He also provided consulting and fund-raising services to several sports and entertainment technology companies. Mr. McQuinn was a member of executive management for 18 years at two aerospace companies, enterprises that included aviation component manufacturing, aircraft leasing, commercial aircraft operations, real estate, and management services. Mr. McQuinn started his career at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), an international public accounting firm.  He obtained a wide range of experience in working with all sizes of companies, from closely-held to SEC.  Mr. McQuinn, a certified public accountant, received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.

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• Chief Of Staff & Head Of League Operations

  Courtney Hueston

  Since the launch of Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), Courtney has been an integral part of the team, growing into her leadership role over three complete seasons. She has played pivotal roles in major SFC events, including the regular billfish season, The Catch, SFC Media Days, and several destination playoffs.

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• Head of Corporate Strategy & Content

  Mark Farag, Esq.

  As the Head of Corporate Strategy & Content at Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), Mark has been instrumental in shaping the league’s growth and digital transformation. He spearheaded the launch of SFC+, a cutting-edge streaming platform designed to bring fishing enthusiasts closer to the sport. His role includes managing internal legal matters, negotiating key contracts, and forging strategic partnerships that elevate SFC's presence on the global stage. Mark is also the Founder and Host of “The Science of Fishing,” the world’s #1 fishing podcast. With over 40 million engagements, the podcast stands as a testament to Mark's ability to connect with audiences through compelling storytelling and insightful interviews with renowned personalities from both within and beyond the fishing community. Beyond his professional endeavors, Mark is an active Miami Counsel Member for The Nature Conservancy, advocating for the preservation of South Florida’s ecosystems. This role reflects his deep commitment to sustainability and the conservation of marine life. Mark’s journey into offshore fishing began at a young age, quickly growing into a passion that led him to compete in numerous fishing tournaments over his lifetime. His firsthand experience in offshore angling informs his leadership at SFC and his ability to resonate with the fishing community. Mark holds a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Miami. His legal expertise and strategic mindset have been instrumental in driving impactful initiatives across industries and within the sport fishing community. When he’s not in the boardroom or behind the mic, Mark can be found on the water, pursuing his passion for offshore fishing and contributing to the vibrant culture of the sport."

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• Partner Services Manager

  Riley Howington

  Riley Howington is a highly motivated and results-oriented Partner Services Manager at Sport Fishing Championship, where she plays a pivotal role in building and maintaining strong, long-lasting relationships with key partners. With a deep passion for the fishing industry and a talent for fostering collaboration, Riley ensures that every partner's experience is seamless, impactful, and aligned with the league’s objectives. In her first season, Riley drove sponsor outreach and managed inventory, contributing significantly to the success of high-profile events like the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs. She oversees a diverse portfolio of league-wide and team partnerships, including Verizon and Onewater, and manages ongoing client services to ensure contracts are fulfilled and expectations are exceeded.

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