Newsmakers: April
2021 Issue

NSSF Elects Board Members

NSSF announced its Patron members elected Laurie Lipsey Aronson and Marvin C. (Marty) Daniel to its board of governors.

Aronson, Lipsey’s chairwoman and CEO, has served on many boards, including her current position as chairwoman of NASGW. She also remains active with several industry organizations, including the American Suppressor Association (ASA) and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“I will be sitting amongst the wonderful leaders in our industry, and I look forward to working with them,” Aronson shared.

Daniel is president and CEO of Daniel Defense. He serves on the Georgia Southern University Corporate Advisory Board to the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, as well as the board of the ASA.

He said, “I now look forward to playing an even more active role in working with the NSSF in support of the Second Amendment and the shooting sports industry.”

Gunwerks TAPS Directors

Gunwerks recently welcomed Neal Emery as director of brand experience, and Ryan Chalupsky as director of product development.
Emery will lead a team of marketing, creative and training professionals to focus on the overall Gunwerks brand.

He joins the company following 14 years at Hornady Manufacturing in addition to several years’ prior experience in information technology, business and teaching at corporate and university levels.

Gunwerks President Aaron Davidson said, “We feel Neal is the right industry veteran to lead our team as we develop a fresh brand experience.”

Chalupsky will lead a team of engineers and product development personnel on the creation and refinement of rifle, optic and accessory products.

He has more than eight years’ experience in the industry, and most recently served as FeraDyne Outdoors’ director of engineering.

Davidson noted, “This was a difficult position to fill. Our product roadmap requires a very technical and creative leader. Ryan brings a high level of engineering and managerial experience to the Gunwerks family.”

Lipsey’s Names President, Adds Staff

Lipsey’s announced the promotion of its longest-tenured employee, Flint Virgets to president from his position as senior VP and GM, and added three new team members to enhance operations in multiple departments.

Laurie Lipsey Aronson retains the position of CEO and now chairwoman, while Founder Richard Lipsey remains the patriarch of the organization.

Aronson stated, “We are all very proud of Flint and his nearly 33 years with us. He has always been like a family member to both Richard and me. I’m sure his father Warren Virgets, who was also with our company for over 30 years, is smiling down on Flint as well.”

Virgets has served in multiple positions over the course of 30+ years, including customer service, sales management, buyer and for the past 20 years, SVP and GM.

The company also welcomed Credit Manager Nicole Bonvillain, Sales Executive Justin Poché and Dillon Harris as a purchasing assistant.

Riton Optics Advances Director

Riton Optics announced the promotion of Tony Tarantino to director of marketing.

Brady Speth, CEO and founder of Riton Optics shared, “I’m confident [Tony’s] experience and work ethic, blended with his fun, social personality, will support the continued growth of the department and the company as a whole.”

Tarantino has been with Riton for nearly two years and has over 20 years in the firearms industry with extensive experience in retail and law enforcement sales, supply chain and indoor range operations.

Brownells/Crow Shooting Supply Hire Chief Customer Officer

Retail and wholesale-business executive Eddie Andrus was hired by Brownells and its sister wholesale company Crow Shooting Supply to serve as chief customer officer (CCO).
Andrus will lead the marketing and merchants’ teams with the goal of better serving the organization’s customers through enhanced planning and execution with Brownells’ and Crow Shooting Supply’s vendors.

Chad Martin, CEO of Brownells and Crow Shooting Supply said, “We’re very lucky to welcome aboard such a gifted person who mixes a tremendous passion for our industry with the skills, insights and experiences taken from working at some of the largest companies in the world.”

Andrus joins Brownells/Crow Shooting Supply after serving in senior executive leadership positions at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Macy’s.

Dark Storm Industries Names Comm. Manager

Kevin Eidler joined Dark Storm Industries (DSI) as communications manager, where he will oversee all aspects of the company’s social media presence as well as implement new production and online projects.

Eidler hopes to expand the company’s online presence by producing high-quality videos filmed in the field or DSI’s new studio for the growing YouTube channel.

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