John Westers

John Westers grew up in Michigan with a father that was fully involved in fisheries his entire career, leading John to have a continual interest in ‘everything fish’. Water quality, hatcheries, aquatic health and environmental awareness have always been important in John’s life.

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John moved to Colorado at the age of 21, which introduced him to a different type of fisheries and habitat, providing an enhanced perspective about water. The true value of water became clear when he purchased water rights and learned a bit of western water law.  

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John started Westers Roofing, Inc. in 2000 and has been involved in all aspects of roofing construction to ownership of a long-standing successful small business.

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In 2015 John and his wife, Liz, took a fishing vacation to Yankeetown, FL for a month and a half and fell in love with the Withlacoochee River and purchased a home on West River Rd. After befriending Charlie Rector, who became an important and close friend, John learned that he managed water works in Asheville, NC and had an intimate understanding of water and water law. He was very concerned with what he saw in this small village in less than a decade of residing in the area. John’s curiosity became stronger as he spent more time fishing local waters.

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John attained a Captain’s license in 2017 and opened a guide service specifically directed towards experienced fishermen. This provided him more of an opportunity to know other captains, spend hours upon hours on the river and in the Gulf, seeing changes first-hand. This knowledge reminds him how important it is to restore and protect our precious asset, the lower Withlacoochee River.

 

John’s business and people skills add to his analytical tendencies. John is always looking to solve problems, connect others and build understandings that lead to successful outcomes.