Nissan TITAN joins top fly-fishing guide Hilary Hutcheson to help revamp Florida Keys in wake of Hurricane Irma

SUGARLOAF KEY, Fla. – It's been over two months since Hurricane Irma slammed the southeastern U.S., but the devastation left behind remains – and one of the industries hit hardest is fly fishing. That's why Hilary Hutcheson, a top fly-fishing guide based in Montana, teamed with Nissan and other outdoor brands to help with cleanup efforts in support of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides' Association.

"When I saw my friends in the Keys lose 30 guide days in the wake of Hurricane Irma – as well as their boats and homes in some cases – I felt a burning concern that was perhaps fueled by my own experience in the harsh smoke of Montana's devastating wildfires," said Hutcheson, who is also a fly-fishing TV show host. "But I only lost nine days of guiding, not 30. I wanted to help those who took a gale-force slugging in the Keys."

Equipped with a powerful 2017 Nissan TITAN, Hutcheson and a crew of fellow outdoor industry members hauled truck-loads of debris to community trash piles to support the clean-up efforts.

Among those assisted was Bill Becker, a local radio host who chose not to evacuate during the storm so he could deliver up-to-date news to all locals who stayed behind. While broadcasting from his house to keep residents informed, Becker says his yard was destroyed.

After a full day of clean up, Hutcheson wasn't done. She and her crew participated in a local fly-fishing tournament over the weekend to raise money for local guides – and the effects of that event are sure to be felt long after this past weekend as cleanup efforts continue.

"We wanted to make a statement that the Keys are open for business and that one of the best ways to keep the guides on the poling platform is to book a charter with them," said Hutcheson. "I'm grateful to everyone who participated in this effort and to those who are doing so many small and large things to help."

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About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. 
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2016, the company sold 5.63 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.72 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500 and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault under the Renault-Nissan Alliance since 1999. In 2016, Nissan acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors, which became the third member of the Alliance – a grouping with combined annual sales of almost 10 million units a year.

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Contact

Kevin Raftery 
Nissan Truck, SUV & Outdoor Communications
615-981-9870
kevin.raftery@nissan-usa.com