American Museum of Fly Fishing Welcomes New Executive Director

The American Museum of Fly Fishing has announced the hire of new executive director, Robert Ruley. Ruley brings strong experience in financial management and fundraising and community building and will join AMFF on November 14, 2016.

Read more in the press release below.

American Museum of Fly Fishing Welcomes New Executive Director

Manchester, Vermont (November 2, 2016)- The American Museum of Fly Fishing (AMFF) is pleased to announce Robert Ruley as its new Executive Director. The appointment follows an extensive national search led by a Rhode Island firm in conjunction with the museum’s Board of Trustees. Ruley will join the American Museum of Fly Fishing on November 14.

Board President Karen Kaplan expressed her excitement saying, “We are delighted to have Robert Ruley join AMFF as Executive Director. An avid flyfisher, he brings strong experience in financial management and a particular talent for fundraising and community building. We couldn’t be happier to have him.”

Mr. Ruley has over twenty years of experience working for both non-profit and for profit organizations on Nantucket Island. He comes to the museum from the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, where he worked for ten years as a development professional. He was instrumental in adding hundreds of new members to the Foundation as well as producing a number of events including guided member walks, young member cultivation events and a very popular Cranberry Festival that draws in excess of 7,000 people annually. He seeks to bring the same kind of enthusiasm to the annual Fly Fishing Festival here in Manchester.

Prior to his employment at the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Ruley spent ten years as Director of Operations at Nantucket Island Resorts, LLC., which operates a collection of boutique hospitality properties, a world class marina and an extensive portfolio of commercial property.

He is also deeply rooted in community involvement, having served as an elected member of the Nantucket Harbor Advisory Board as well as serving as a Trustee, Treasurer and Executive Committee member for the Nantucket Lighthouse School, a respected independent school on Nantucket.

Ruley is a lifelong angler.  He has spent many hours casting from the shores and water around New England, The Bahamas, and Florida.  Though primarily a saltwater angler, he has spent considerable time lately pursuing trout and salmon in Northern New England and he is looking forward to getting to know the waters around Manchester.

The AMFF welcomes Robert’s substantial experience in donor relations and cultivation, organizational programming and non-profit operations and management. The 49 year old father of two is excited about the move to Manchester as well, “My family and I could not be happier about our transition to Vermont.  We are eagerly looking forward to it.”

About the American Museum of Fly Fishing:

The American Museum of Fly Fishing is the steward of the history, traditions, and practices of the sport of fly fishing and promotes the conservation of its waters. The Museum collects, preserves, exhibits, studies, and interprets the artifacts, art, and literature of the sport and, through a variety of outreach platforms, uses these resources to engage, educate, and benefit all. The Museum fulfills this mission through our public programs (including exhibitions, gallery programs, lectures, special events, and presentations), our publications, and our quarterly journal, The American Fly Fisher.

For more information about the Museum and the 2016 Heritage Award please visit our website http://www.amff.org or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Media Contacts:

Bob Ruley | Executive Director | 802-362-3300 ext. 201 | [email protected]

Peter Nardini | Communications Coordinator | 802-362-3300 ext. 207 | [email protected]