CAA Crew

Todd A. Rutkowski

Cast Across America Founder/President

Todd is a passionate fisherman with a life-long love of the sport. Todd has been fishing since he was a child. He has had a lifetime of family fishing trips, building memories and traditions. As a teenager, Todd loved to compete with his brothers and cousins to see who could catch the most fish during the course of their many vacations in the boundary waters of Minnesota. His early exposure to fishing developed into a professional sports and marketing career - on the horse track, rather than the lakefront. Todd spent much of his career at Arlington Park Racetrack, and was also the Director of Sponsorship at Jam Productions and the Regional Director of Sales at Clear Channel Entertainment (now Live Nation) in Chicago. Todd is currently a partner in a real estate venture involved in the development of residential and commercial properties throughout Chicago. Todd is delighted to bring his love of fishing together with his experience in marketing to help Cast Across America promote what he considers to be America's great pastime -- fishing. Todd currently resides in the Chicago suburb of Huntley, Illinois with his wife Claire and two small children Maddox and Elizabeth.

Bil Bitz

Cast Across America Co-Founder/Webmaster

Bil grew up fishing in the state of Michigan. As a boy, he would watch his Mom pull in fish after fish. He would switch places with her in the boat and she would keep pulling in fish. Bil would not. That's when he learned the reason they call it fishing and not catching. Bil's Grandfather Papa Stout took him under his wing and started to show him the secrets of catching. Bil has fished (and caught) in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Missouri and North Carolina. It's never been a competition for Bil, he's just happy with a line in the water. Bil lives in St Johns, MI with his wife Kelly, daughter Marley and son Conor.