club news WPBFC Welcomes Tom Bzura NextGen Committee Created The WPBFC is looking towards the future and our new- est staff member, Tom ‘Buzz’ Bzura, is helping us get there. One of Buzz’s responsibilities at the club is to help us more fully engage our young members and to grow our mem- bership with this de- mographic. The role of social media and technology is already playing a big role helping us connect with our next genera- tion of members. To this end, the Next- Gen Committee was formed in an effort to gather input from mil- lennials on what kind of angling programs and events are of interest to them. The new committee is also providing input on existing club programs. “The idea was really born out of a suggestion by WPBFC board member John Taylor who envisioned the need for something like a junior member advisory committee,” said WPBFC President Tom Twyford. Participating in the first few NextGen meetings were club members Will & Paul Sa- bayrac, Patrick Perrelli, Ryan Hullihan, Sean Hynes, Jeffrey Dubs, Skylar Vallancourt, Colby Borland, Casey Staniszewski, Blake Naumann, Jacob Lepera and Tommy & Eddie Twyford. Any club members under the age of 30 interested in providing input to the committee please feel free to contact Buzz at tbzura@westpalmbeach- fishingclub.org. “These are the people who are going to be running the club in the future and who will be perpetuat- ing our great traditions. It is both an opportunity and a responsibility,” added Twyford. 5th Street & North Flagler Drive Re-Opens Inaugural NextGen meeting Construction related to the Flagler Memorial Bridge Replacement Project is finally complete. Be advised that the new traffic pattern does not permit a left (northbound) turn onto Flagler from 5th Street. Nor does it permit a left (westbound) turn onto 5th Street for those heading northbound on Flagler Drive. The new design has made the WPBFC more visible to passing traffic. The old Flagler Drive overpass, which once shielded our historic building, was replaced with an ‘at-grade’ intersection. New lighting, traffic signals, drain- age, sidewalks and landscaping have also been completed. Active construction began five years ago. The WPBFC is thankful it has now ended. The Fishing Club is thrilled to welcome Thomas ‘Buzz’ Bzura as our organi- zation’s newest staff member.  Buzz serves as the club’s commu- nications and event coordinator.  He is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School and has a marketing degree from the Uni- versity of Central Florida where he was an active member of the Reel Knights fishing club.  Buzz has already made some outstanding contributions improving the WPBFC’s presence on social media and assisting with special event operations. “It's cool working for an organization that has such a storied history. I feel honored to have this opportu- nity, especially knowing that many influential members of our community, people like John Rybovich, have helped guide the club down such a successful path. I look forward to getting the next generation of club members involved and building upon that success,” said Bzura. Militello Newest Board Member Chris Militello (c) is flanked by fellow WPBFC board members Suzanne Ross (l) & Trisha Borsch (r) at the Fishing Club BBQ & Auction. Ac tive club member Chris Militello of C & L Marine Insur- ance joined the WPBFC Board of Directors, fill- ing the seat va- cated by the late Bud Tyska. "As a businessman in the Marine Industy, Chris brings a valuable and unique per- spective to the Board. We are thankful to have his input and direction...plus he's a lot younger than most of us on the board!", said WPBFC Chair- man Pete Schulz. Welcome aboard, Chris!