| Honoring the Best of the Best |
| Sales achievements recognized at DAIWA’s annual national sales meeting |
| FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (May 15, 2025) – Always a highlight of its annual sales meeting, where its manufacturing representatives from throughout U.S. and Canada gather to learn about new products and sales strategies for the coming year, DAIWA’s corporate sales staff recognized eight individuals and one rep group for their exceptional efforts in 2024. DAIWA’s ‘Summit’ awards, bestowed for sales achievements by both an overall rep group and an individual rep, went to Maschmedt & Associates for their efforts in the TALO states (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma), and to Chris Shoplock with Gen3 Outdoors, respectively. |
| Recognizing their overall sales and dealer support efforts in the TALO territory, Daiwa USA president Carey Graves presented to company’s coveted ‘Summit’ award to the staff at Maschmedt & Associates-TALO including (picture here – left to right) Robert Wilson from Bella Vista, AR, Chris Bernard from Breaux Bridge, LA, Maschmedt principal Steve Hightower, Daiwa’s Carey Graves, and Matt Filliben from Rosenburg, TX |
| According to DAIWA’s National Sales Manager, Gerad Cawhorn, “The work by the Maschmedt crew – including Chris Berard, Matt Filliben, Bryan Head and Robert Wilson – saw solid gains in the placement of DAIWA’s fresh and saltwater rods and both our J-Braid and XBraid in tackle shops throughout the TALO states, and their support of dealer and DAIWA sponsored events within the territory was exceptional in taking the DAIWA message directly to anglers.”In honoring Chris Shoplock with DAIWA’s coveted ‘Summit Leadership Award’ in his role with the recently-formed Gen3 Outdoors rep group, Cawhorn said, “Chris’ efforts have not only grown DAIWA’s saltwater business across our entire product line-up in the all-important East Coast market, but he also has been invaluable with his input as we continue to focus added efforts in designing and marketing area specific series like our new Blackline rods to striper anglers.”Additionally, DAIWA recognized Filliben with its ‘Change Leader’ award, and Scott Neuschwender with Gen3 Outdoors with the ‘Dealer Development Driver’ award. Honored with ‘Key Objective’ awards, Cale Engelage and Steve Johnson with Maschmedt & Associates received ‘Fastest To Market’ and ‘Low Profile Leader’ recognition, while Jeremy Morrison with Graywood Sporting Group earned to ‘Rod Master’ award. |
| Chris Shoplock (left), with Gen3 Outdoors and from Georgetown, DE, is presented with Daiwa’s top honor for individual efforts within a sales territory – the ‘Summit Leadership’ award, from Daiwa’s East Coast regional sales manager Drew Sloane. |
| Cawhorn adds that Brad Olson with Ferguson-Keller was recognized for his leading sales numbers on DAIWA’s LT spinning reels, and Scott Dubiel with Rogers Sports Marketing earned honors with the ‘SW Spin 3 for 3 Master’ award for his sales in Florida.‘We so much appreciate the efforts on behalf of DAIWA from all these gentlemen,” noted Cawhorn. “Being able to recognize them in front of their fellow reps and the DAIWA staff, including a contingent from our parent company, at our national sales meeting continues a long-time DAIWA tradition. It’s a great way of truly saying thanks for the role they play in our success.” |
| For DAIWA’s latest color catalog and/or information on DAIWA dealers in your area, call DAIWA’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@DAIWA.com. The URL for DAIWA’s web site is daiwa.us |