Head of Rapala USA to step down after 30 years with company

Tom Mackin, the head of Rapala USA, is to step down at the end of the year after more than three decades with the company.

He will relinquish his role as Head of Distribution USA and as a member of the Executive Committee at the end of the year, but will continue as a strategic adviser until December 31st, 2023.

Marcus Twidale has been appointed as Head of Distribution USA and will report to President and CEO Nicolas Warchalowski, effective January 1st 2022.

Rapala says that Twidale has shown strong leadership skills during his ten years with the group in his current role as Managing Director and co-founder of Dynamite Baits and as its Head of Distribution. He will also become a member of the Executive Committee, effective immediately.

“I have had an incredible more than 30 years working with the number one brand in fishing,” said Mackin. “I feel that I am leaving the brand and company in a much stronger position than when I started.”

For his next chapter, Mackin, who splits his time between Minnesota and Florida, plans to focus on his family, friends, faith, fitness and philanthropy. “I really feel blessed and lucky to have worked with such a great group of people over the years and in such a wonderful industry,” he added.

“Tom’s tenure at Rapala VMC deserves a special chapter in our rich history books, having increased US revenue and profits by five times and also grown a talented team. I look forward to continuing to work with Tom in his new capacity as strategic adviser on special group projects,” said Warchalowski.