Growing up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Dennis James Knowles was never into organized sports. He did participate in neighborhood pick-up games like basketball, touch football, and kickball, but he never had the calling to pursue sports-until he was introduced to fishing. Dennis first picked up a rod and reel when he was 12 years old on a summer vacation to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His uncle Ulysses Tidwell was an avid angler, and Dennis was eager to learn. For many years to follow, Dennis returned to Milwaukee for two weeks of camping, fishing, fun, and adventure. When he went on to college at Ohio University, Dennis took along his rods and reels and went fishing on the weekends. After earning an undergraduate degree in journalism and completing his Master of Fine Arts in film production, Dennis returned to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the field of television. Eventually, he became a member of a local fishing club, North Coast Bass Anglers Association, serving as its president and tournament director for several years. It was during this time that he and Gail A. Grizzell founded The Fishing Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving people's lives through fishing.
Gail Ann Grizzell has always had a desire to help people. When Gail was a youngster in Berea, Ohio, she began volunteering as a candy striper at the local hospital. She continued her volunteer endeavors assisting youth organizations, which ultimately led to a 35-year career in the field of philanthropy as a nonprofit and marketing fundraising professional, with the United Negro College Fund and Ideastream, the public broadcasting affiliate radio and television stations in Cleveland, Ohio. Gail decided to combine her fundraising skills with her passion for fishing-a passion inspired by her mother, Margaret-and in partnership with Dennis James Knowles co-founded The Fishing Foundation. Now retired, Gail devotes her time, treasure, talent, and touch to expanding the programming of the Foundation. In addition to spending time with her family, Gail serves in a leadership role with The Fishing Foundation, enjoys international and national travel, reading, cooking, gardening, attending arts and cultural events, and most of all, fishing. Along with her sister and business partner, Gail also co-owns Executive Meeting Planners, LLC, a minority- and women-owned-and-operated meeting planning small business enterprise. Gail holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University.
