Okuma promotes 29-year-old veteran to key product development role

Okuma Fishing Tackle has announced the promotion of John Bretza to Vice President of Product Development.

A valued leader within the company for 29 years, the rod and reel brand says that Bretza’s appointment to this executive role signals a continued investment in innovation, product excellence and long-term market leadership. “Bretza’s career at Okuma reflects a rare depth of industry knowledge and brand experience,” says the company.

He began in internal sales, managing the California territory during the company’s formative years. His strong performance led to leadership roles as National Sales Manager and National Marketing Manager, where he developed a comprehensive understanding of both the commercial and brand sides of the business. He later advanced to Director of Product Development, a role he held for more than 15 years.

Among his many accomplishments, Bretza led the development and launch of the Makaira lever drag reel series, helping establish Okuma as a serious contender in the offshore category. He has also overseen the design and production of rods, reels, and combos specifically engineered for the U.S. market.

“My 29 years at Okuma have allowed me to experience nearly every facet of this business,” said Bretza. “I’m grateful for the mentorship and trust from Okuma’s ownership and leadership. I look forward to continuing to build a world-class team and pushing the brand to new heights as a global leader in fishing tackle.”

In his new role, Bretza will continue to drive technical innovation and product strategy, reinforcing Okuma’s reputation for performance, reliability, and angler-focused design worldwide.