R. Gettys Brannon III

Gettys Brannon is the President and CEO of the South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance (SCBFA), where he leads efforts to protect and grow South Carolina’s $6.5 billion marine industry. A Gaffney, S.C., native, lifelong outdoorsman, and College Fishing National Champion, Gettys works at the intersection of public policy, media, and the outdoor economy to advocate for boaters, anglers, manufacturers, and the broader marine industry.Gettys is a frequent voice in South Carolina news and has been featured in or quoted by national outlets, including The New York Times, Newsmax, and The Daily Caller. He is available for interviews and media commentary on boating, fishing, marine manufacturing, fisheries policy, outdoor access, conservation, and issues impacting the region’s outdoor economy.Gettys first built his name in the outdoors as President of the University of South Carolina Bass Fishing Team, where he won the College Fishing National Championship and earned recognition as a two-time College Fishing All-American and FLW Cup Qualifier. While at USC, he also worked as a journalist for B.A.S.S. and JM Productions, with work published in Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times, and featured on ESPN and NBC Sports.After getting his start in the South Carolina Senate as a communications aide to Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, Gettys joined McAlister Communications, where he served as Communications Coordinator for B.A.S.S. and helped bring the stories of American sportsmen to national audiences.In 2021, Gettys founded SCBFA to bring South Carolina’s leading boat manufacturers, fishing tackle companies, marine businesses, and outdoor brands together under one unified voice. In 2022, he was recognized by Boating Industry magazine as one of its “40 Under 40” leaders.A trusted voice in both the industry and public policy arenas, Gettys has worked with leaders at all levels of government and helped host President Donald J. Trump in 2023 to spotlight South Carolina’s outdoor economy.He serves on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel and sits on the executive boards of the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, Youth Corps SC, and the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board.Gettys holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina, with concentrations in advertising and visual communications.