Humminbird Hires Collegiate Bass Ace, Computer Engineer
OutdoorHub 03.21.14
Humminbird recently announced the addition of a new member to its Software team, Auburn University senior Will Bates.
“Humminbird is gathering the best and brightest talent to reinforce our core of angler-focused electronics products,” says Humminbird brand manager, Jeff Kolodzinski. “Like the recent addition of Auburn University’s Will Bates, a double major in computer science and computer engineering.”
Not only does Bates have the academic track record to be an immediate asset to the Humminbird Software team, he is also a top collegiate competitive bass angler. In fact, Bates and partner Candler McCollum recently placed first in the FLW College Qualifier – Southeastern Conference – on Clarks Hill Lake in Appling, Georgia. The pair won the event by over three pounds, immediately qualifying for the FLW College Fishing Invitational on Lake Chickamauga next fall.
That has been Bates’ focus all throughout his college career—a careful marriage of academic and competitive bass fishing achievement. He has been an active member of the Auburn University Bass Fishing Team since his freshman year, recently serving as the team’s president. In 2012 Bates was named Angler of the Year in the Southern Collegiate Series.
Bates says he is looking forward toward to the end of the school year and full-time employment with Humminbird. “I’m extremely excited to become part of the Humminbird team and work in an industry I enjoy. It’s a great fit for me with my education in electrical and computer engineering and passion for fishing. I’ve been working hard for an opportunity like this and now it’s happening.”
Kolodzinski: “We are thrilled to have Will join the Humminbird team. His accomplishments in the classroom, combined with his passion for fishing, put him in a unique position to understand and develop the products anglers want. We will remain on the lookout for more of these young double-threats with strong technical background plus fishing in their DNA. Even better when we find some of this talent in Alabama, home of Humminbird.”
