John Acott
Co-founder, President

An industry veteran of over 30 years, John has traveled extensively with a fly rod in hand, but his preferred days afield are in the north woods with his German Shorthair Pointer, Max, chasing grouse and woodcock. John also enjoys canoeing, wilderness camping, and drift boating rivers. He resides in Illinois (but calls Wisconsin and Minnesota home) and is the father of seven children. John is a member of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Ruffed Grouse Society, Federation of Flyfishers, Ducks Unlimited, NRA and the American Legion among others. He is a former Marine and a graduate of Marquette University. John is a member of the Illinois Board of Directors for the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Brian Hadley
Co-founder, National Treasurer

Brian’s career in the wine industry began following graduation from college in 1981.  His career has included sales, sales management, and marketing in all 3 tiers of the industry. Brian relishes any chance to explore the great outdoors but is happiest walking with his bird dog in any field, casting a line to any to any water, or paddling any shore.  Brian counts among his accomplishments his contributions toward the growth of today’s wine industry.  Brian is especially proud of the charitable contributions JSS has made to give children a glimpse into the beauty of the wilderness, and a chance to see themselves in it. His goals include training a new bird dog and exploring the barrier islands of Southwest Florida and the fields of South Carolina.

John Hudoba Co-founder, Board of Directors

 
John is a Wine & Spirits Industry Veteran with over 30 years of experience.  He fell in love with the outdoors at a very young age, hunting and fishing with his father across the US and Canada.  He grew up training Springer Spaniels (little known fact he is undefeated in professionally sanctioned Springer field trials).  He loves everything in the Outdoors, fly fishing for Salmon, Jigging for Walleyes, Scoping for Crappies, walking the prairies for game birds, or just sitting in a tree stand or duck blind.  I was lucky enough to share hundreds of Sunrises and Sunsets with my father in the outdoors.  The fact that we are now passing on our love on to kids that have never casted a line, caught a fish, or paddled a canoe is extremely gratifying.  I never thought that the 4 of us going to dinner years ago would turn into his.  I am so proud what we have accomplished, raising over $140,000, and sending over 159 SOS Foster Children to Camp.  You know old saying “ Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he will be broke and unable to eat for rest of his life”…. I may have misquoted 😊

Dave Mayo Secretary

Perry DiGirolamo President Illinois

Chris Bacigalupo Co-founder and Honorary Chair in Memoriam