ARMCHAIR ANGLERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- FOUNDER
Jim Hargaden, Founder and CEO, is a life-long angler and boater who knows first-hand about the challenges of life with a disability. Jim was first diagnosed with FSHD, a form of muscular dystrophy, as a teen when he began struggling with muscle deterioration and pain. This progressive, genetic, degenerative disease with no cure or treatment eventually caused Jim to to be wheelchair bound and he could no longer access his boat. Jim wanted to provide those with similar challenges the opportunities to enjoy the benefits a day of boating thus Armchair Anglers was established.
Jim has been involved in the Marine and Fishing Industry for over 30 years and his family owned Custom Rod and Marine, a retail fishing tackle company in Ft. Lauderdale for many years.
If you are like Jim, or know someone who misses out due to limitations, please Get Involved and Help get those individuals back on the water and back in the game!!
John, Jim's younger brother, also loved fishing and boating from a young age. The Hargaden family spent many weekends fishing for snook in Chokoloskee and built the now famous red cabin inside the Ten Thousand Islands National Park. John grew up in Lakeland and Ruskin before moving to the East coast of Florida where he extended his passion to include offshore fishing for large game fish.
After graduating from UF - GO GATORS! - John started Rite Angler, a manufacturing and wholesale tackle company in Ft. Lauderdale and later moved his family and business to Fort Myers, Florida in 2006.
John also has FSHD muscular dystrophy which has slowed him down over the years but not stopped him. He's ready to be your captain for the day so come on aboard! Well behaved dogs welcome too!
Kelly married John Hargaden 30 years ago and has been on the water ever since!