Newsmakers
April 2022
FMG Publications Welcomes New Hires
Key industry talent recently joined the FMG team: Erick Gelhaus is now serving as editor of American COP; Ashley McGee as digital content and marketing director; and Heather Arnold as circulation/production director.
FMG Publications’ VP of Business Development Randy Molde said, “Erick’s years of L.E. experience and knowledge make him the perfect fit to select and provide content for first responders, and Ashley’s wealth of skills will have an immediate impact on our branding efforts.”
Gelhaus served in the Army and National Guard before retiring from a 29-year career with a Northern California sheriff’s office. He has written for leading industry publications, is an instructor at Gunsite Academy and owns a training company.
McGee is responsible for managing the growth of FMG’s overall digital presence and the GUNS Magazine Podcast, as well as developing strategies for increasing dealer engagement via Shooting Industry.
“I’ve learned a lot from talking with Shooting Industry readers and interviewing industry professionals over the years,” McGee shared. “I’m excited to draw from the experience and combine it with my background in digital marketing to help continue to grow all of FMG’s publications.”
McGee has over 10 years’ experience and is a longtime contributor to SI. Most recently, she served as niche managing editor for The Post and Courier.
Arnold manages FMG’s circulation department, which includes direct mailings, performing the circulation and postal audits, data entry and customer service. She also supports the production team.
Arnold has been in the publishing industry for over 20 years on both paid and controlled magazine titles such as Triathlete and Outside.
FMG President Tom Hollander, who is preparing to retire later this year, shared, “Heather’s knowledge and background aligns perfectly with our needs. I feel very comfortable leaving our team in her capable hands.”
Primary Arms Promotes, Hires Staff
Primary Arms Optics announced the promotion of Jeff Scheider to U.S. field sales manager. The Government division welcomed Chad Rohmer as the territory sales manager for the eastern region, and Paul Walters as a buyer.
Scheider is responsible for strategizing and deploying nationwide sales strategies for all Primary Arms Optics products. Previously, Scheider was a key account manager for Nine Line Apparel.
Rohmer is working with and representing teams across the eastern U.S. and parts of Texas.
In addition to a law enforcement career, Rohmer worked for Federal/Speer Ammunition, OSS Suppressors, Point Blank Body Armor and Draeger Safety Systems.
Walters is dedicated to supporting the Government division by bringing in new products and special offers for L.E. and military professionals.
Walters previously served as Unity Tactical’s inventory specialist and buyer.
1791 Gunleather Promotes Manager
1791 Gunleather announced the recent promotion of Lauren Manglitz from regional sales manager to territory development manager. She is responsible for new business development with target accounts in multiple territories, sales associate training and new product development.
“After her excellent performance over the past few years, we’re thrilled to have Lauren take on even more responsibility within 1791 Gunleather,” said Ramiro Romani, CEO of 1791 Gunleather.
Prior to joining 1791 Gunleather in 2018, Manglitz worked as an editor for government contractors and spent several years in retail. She is also a firearms instructor.
XS Sights Advances engineer
XS Sights promoted longtime employee Monte Long to marketing and sales engineer from his role as production manager. In this position, Long will work closely with the marketing and sales teams, playing a key role in strategic planning and creating enhanced content for web, blog, social and video initiatives.
“Monte brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role and our customers will benefit from increased access to his expertise,” said Addison Monroe, marketing manager for XS Sights.
CSSI Adds Strategist
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Inc. (CSSI) welcomed social media strategist Charles Eagle to its team where he will curate content to boost visibility and expand the way customers interact with the brand.
Ron Staffieri, CSSI president and CEO, said, “We are confident Charles will increase our reach and provide valuable content that speaks to our customers and keeps them informed, engaged and entertained.”
Kinsey’s Inc. Taps Dealer Sales Director
With the current growth in archery and recent expansion into FFL distribution, Kinsey’s Inc. selected Phillip Dixon as the new director of dealer sales to better serve the business and its growing customer base.
Justin Gorman, Kinsey’s VP of sales and marketing, stated, “Phil will use his years of sales management experience to create strategies that will continue to make Kinsey’s more valuable to our dealers.”
Dixon previously served in the U.S. Navy and had an extensive management career in the wireless industry.
Murray Road Agency Names Events & Project Manager
As Murray Road Agency’s new events and project manager, Kara Ahl will oversee the coordination and facilitation of Murray Road client and agency events, and manage projects within the agency’s client base.
Tim Brandt, Murray Road president and CEO, said, “Kara’s work on large consumer and trade events, her local ties and her hands-on management with integrated projects immediately bolsters our team’s abilities.”
Ahl previously planned and managed events for organizations in the Charleston area. She graduated from the School of Business at the College of Charleston with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and hospitality and tourism.
Streamlight Inc. Advances Manager
Mike Garrett was recently promoted to national sales manager–west for Streamlight’s Industrial/Fire division.
Garrett leads the division’s sales team to achieve sales goals for the industrial and fire markets. He will be responsible for maintaining distributor and agency relationships, and developing marketing strategies for the division.
Streamlight VP, sales and marketing, Michael F. Dineen shared, “[Garrett’s] success over the years has come from his hard work and dedication to Streamlight and the products we manufacture. We look forward to his continuing contributions.”
Garrett joined the company in 2011 as West Coast regional sales manager. He also served in roles at Clark & Associates and R.S. Hughes. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
MYSTERY RANCH Makes Org./Exec. Changes
After founding MYSTERY RANCH in 2000, Dana Gleason and Renée Sippel-Baker are transitioning from senior leadership positions to board of director roles. They will oversee the strategic vision and execution of the annual plan of operation through a new executive team structure, and remain complete owners of the business.
Alex Kutches, longtime VP of sales and marketing, will assume the role of president and work closely with the board and executive team to implement the annual plan.
The new organizational structure includes Bob Freeman as VP of product and operations and Steve Fink as the VP of finance. Ben Nobel was recently promoted to director of sales for North America’s outdoor and hunting business channels.
Kutches stated, “We have our sights set on sharing our brand promise with more people across the globe in our core businesses of outdoor, military, hunting and fire.”
Nexus Outdoors Grow Team
Nexus Outdoors, parent company to the ScentLok, Blocker Outdoors, OZ, Whitewater, American Range Systems and Tree Spider brands, announced the additions of Matt Arndt as VP of product development and Katie Bryan as technical development and design manager.
Arndt will work closely with SVP of Product, Dale Douglas, to lead product design and technical development initiatives that drive innovation, brand integrity, quality and profitability.
He has 24 years of industry experience from positions at Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Arndt earned B.S. degrees in biology and chemistry from Chadron State College.
Bryan works closely with VP of design and technical development, Rebecca Arellano, where they are heavily involved in a wide variety of tasks and initiatives, from development to design and sourcing to fit and final products.
She earned bachelor’s degrees in apparel design and apparel merchandising from Indiana University, and formerly served as a technical designer at Bass Pro Shops.
Have new hires or promotion announcements to share? Send releases to: editor@shootingindustry.com