Board of Directors

Richard Yamada, Juneau, AK. I own and operate a sport fishing lodge on Shelter Island, Southeast Alaska. We accommodate 20 guests and run five boats. I have been in business for 42 years. I came to Alaska in 1972 and lived my first eight years in Fairbanks, working for the University of Alaska and later for Tanana Chiefs Conference, a Native Regional Non-Profit Corporation. I moved to Juneau in 1980 and opened Shelter Lodge in 1982. I have learned much since becoming involved in ACA as a board member. I’ve attended IPHC, NPFMC, and Alaska Board of Fish meetings over the past fifteen years.  I am currently an IPHC Commissioner and sit on the Dept. of Commerce,  Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Jeff Wedekind, Ketchikan, AK. Jeff has lived in Ketchikan since 1980 and spent time on the water commercial fishing until the mid 90’s. In 2005 Jeff built Chinook Shores fishing lodge North of Ketchikan, which caters to both guided and self-guided fishermen. Jeff is sincerely interested and knowledgeable in preserving all fisheries (commercial & sport). Jeff is sympathetic to the allocation issues facing sport fishermen, charter fishermen and lodges alike. Jeff is very familiar with fish politics after participating for 4 years at the NPFMC meetings and has also been on the Ketchikan Board of Fish advisory committee. Jeff has enjoyed working with members of ACA, CHTF and SEAGO over the past several years in our ongoing struggle to get fair and equitable allocations for all sport and charter fishermen.

Daniel Donich, Homer, AK. I grew up in Federal Way, Washington. I started fishing in the salt water for King Salmon and Bottom fish and had my first boat at the age of 10. I moved to Homer AK in 1988 and worked as a deckhand for 3 years. I received my captain’s license in 1990. In 1992 I started Daniel's personalized Guide Service and in 2000 we added lodging to our offered services. Our goal is to provide a quality Alaskan experience where we fish for King Salmon and Halibut Year Round. I have been involved in the North Council and the Board of Fish processes since 1992 when they first started talking about restricting Halibut fishing. I also served on the Fish and Game Local Advisory panel and I helped in the successful battle to keep Homer areas 2 fish King Salmon per day bag limit in the winter season.

Theresa Weiser, Sitka, AK. I own and operate Wild Strawberry Lodge in Southeast Alaska. We accommodate 40 guests and run seven vessels. I have been in the sport fishing charter and lodge business for 27 years. I moved to Alaska from Charleston, OR in 1978. I have been a lodge owner, charter captain and an owner of Alaska Premier Charters, Inc. since 1990; and have lived in Sitka, Alaska since 1985 as a year round resident. I have been active in the Sitka Charter Boat Operators Association since 1991 and I am their current vice president, as well as a member of NACO. Having been active with charter issues both at NPFMC and with the BOF for many years, as well as serving on the ACA Board for the last six years, I do not believe in privatization of the resources and want to continue working to protect the rights of all recreational anglers. It has been an honor to be a member of the ACA Board these last six years.

Grantley Moore, Juneau, AK. Captain Grantley Moore has lived in Southeast Alaska since he was two years old. He has been involved in the charter fishing business most of his adult life. He worked as a fishing guide in Elfin Cove for four years and currently owns Moore Charters, a sport fishing and whale watching charter business based out of Juneau. His mission is to not only provide a fun and memorable experience for his clients, but also jobs for locals and young people seeking to be a part of the fishing industry. Captain Moore works diligently to stay involved in the fishing industry and is eager to continue his support by serving on ACA board.

Brian Ritchie, Homer, AK. 

 I was born and raised in Homer and have been an owner/operator here since 2015. Prior to that I worked aboard pilot boats in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. I graduated from UAA in 2013, and finished my Master's degree in fisheries science at the FAST Lab at APU in May, 2020. My work was on Spatial dynamics and growth performance of Pacific halibut. I have been on the IPHC Conference Board, Homer Charter Association Board, and am an Alaskan Marine Conservation Council Fishing Fellow, and member of the Young Fishermen's Network. I take fishing management seriously and I want to work to serve and protect all Alaskan fishing communities and fleets.