J.D. Blackburn – Nashville, Tenn.
Stuffed into a commuter train bound for another chaotic workday at the Chicago Board of Trade in 1994, J.D. decided his work-life would someday involve people who positively love what they are doing.
After graduating as an All-American student-athlete from Lipscomb University in Nashville, J.D. worked with Deloitte, the world’s second-largest business services firm, gaining experience in a broad range of industries with Fortune 500 companies as well as medium-sized and small businesses. J.D. served ten years in physician management inNashville’s healthcare industry. He helped found Lighthouse Family Ministries in 2003 and served as the Treasurer of that non-profit organization for seven years.
J.D.’s passion and family heritage is fishing and introducing it to others. An extension of that passion was founding Back40 in 2005. J.D. created an annual bass tournament that, over 18 years, has introduced over 500 people to their first fishing tournament. He has also organized multiple charity, youth, and high school fishing events.
A desire to help outdoor industry clients led J.D. to merge his business management background and passion for fishing into the formation of PFM. He believes in the sport’s growth and its place in the hearts and minds of those who enjoy it. After all, don’t we all want to spend time pursuing our passions instead of being stuffed into a commuter train?
J.D.’s favorite quotes are by C.S. Lewis and Abraham Lincoln. “Our problem is not that we want too much, but that we are satisfied with so little” and “I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.”
Hunter Hanks – Jacksonville, Fla.
Also a Lipscomb student-athlete, Hunter Hanks was PFM’s first-ever intern. He has an eye on making the fishing industry his life-long career home. Hanks is a natural on social media and a gifted content creator and was part of Lipscomb’s first collegiate fishing team.
A 2019 marketing major graduate, Hanks grew up fishing in and around Jacksonville, mostly in saltwater. While in Music City, he began scratching the fishing itch in ponds and fell in love with largemouth bass. He’s active on Instagram and brings a youthful enthusiasm to all relationships and projects. His focus is on social media and content creation.
Zach Larkin – Lebanon, Tenn 
Zach’s grandfather got him hooked on fishing early. He spent most of his childhood fishing the Mississippi River and pond-hopping. Moving to Tennessee, he got bit by the bass fishing bug. Knowing early on that he wanted to make a career in the fishing industry, Zach made strides to learn photography, videography, and digital editing.
Zach is the newest addition to the PFM team and is excited to bring a new perspective to the fishing space. He specializes in short-form content and video editing. Zach’s goal is to showcase a new style and inspire a younger generation of anglers, like his grandfather did for him.