Newsmakers
August 2023

GunBroker.com Welcomes VP

Allen Forkner has joined the GunBroker.com team as its VP of public relations and brand management. 

In this role, Forkner will help bring awareness and attention to GunBroker.com and its growing number of programs and services it offers. He will be involved with media relations, industry partnerships, content partnerships and a variety of campaigns and relationship-building endeavors.

GunBroker.com COO Beth Cross shared, “With GunBroker.com’s 25th anniversary coming up in 2024, we all felt Allen was the perfect addition to pay homage to the previous accomplishments and create future ones.”

Forkner brings more than two decades of marketing, PR and media relations experience to the brand. He previously led the PR team at Swanson Russell, and also served as communications director to the Nebraska Attorney General after spending a decade as a working journalist.

EAA Corp. Hires Marketing Director

EAA Corp. announced Sam Mockensturm as its new director of marketing. Mokensturm will cover all of the company’s marketing operations and is tasked with growing the company’s presence over all channels of reach to consumers and dealers.

Keith Bernkrant, president of EAA Corp., said, “We feel our products are becoming more and more sought after by the public. This will give him a great opportunity to build the brand and raise awareness to the quality in which our firearms bring at such an affordable price point.”

Mockensturm’s background includes 11 years of military experience, gun store retail and most recently serving as the marketing manager for Kimber Mfg.

Gunsite Academy Taps Pro Shop Manager

Gunsite Academy has appointed Lindy Walters its Pro Shop manager. She has been a member of the shop’s staff since 2020. Her appointment comes as Gunsite expands the 3,200-acre venue to include a new 5,000    sq. ft. pro shop.

Gunsite CEO Ken Campbell shared, “As we move forward in growth and into more and greater technology driving the new Gunsite Pro Shop, there are many new vendors and industry partners eager to have their products on display, Lindy will be a great new team leader.”

Walters earned her B.S. from Morehead State University and a master’s degree from Missouri State University.

Kahr Firearms Group Names Manufacturing Director

Kahr Firearms Group recently promoted plant manager Hoonoh Choi to the position of director of manufacturing. Choi is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s manufacturing operations and will develop and implement new manufacturing strategies to improve the company’s efficiency and productivity.

Justin Moon, CEO of Kahr Firearms Group, said, “[Choi’s] experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow our manufacturing capacity, introduce new products and meet the needs of our customers.” 

Choi earned an MBA from the State University of New York. He is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, and a member of the Korea Facilitators Association. He served in the RoK Army.

NEXTORCH Industries Engages Sales & Marketing VP

As the new VP of sales and marketing for NEXTORCH Industries North American market, Jordan Brothers will oversee all marketing functions with a direct focus on developing a program to drive consumer awareness at the dealer level. On the sales side, he will be responsible for the company’s overall sales strategy in the North American market.

“Jordan brings with him extensive knowledge of the industry and products, and an established relationship base to NEXTORCH,” said Robin Liang, president and founder of NEXTORCH.

Brothers most recently spent five years with Crescent Sock Company, first serving as a national sales manager and then as director of business development. He was also a channel sales manager for Outdoor Edge Knives.

SIG SAUER Retains General Counsel

Laurence Grayer has joined SIG SAUER as EVP, general counsel and chief compliance officer as a business partner to provide counsel while furthering corporate business objectives.

“Larry is an extraordinary addition to the SIG SAUER executive team,” said Tom Taylor, chief marketing officer and EVP, commercial sales. “Larry’s skills, experience and leadership will be essential in supporting our strategic initiatives.”

Grayer previously served as the general counsel for the global government services providers DynCorp International and Creative Associates International. 

He earned his juris doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The George Washington University.

ASP Appoints Sales Director

Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) named Ray Johnson its new director of sales for the southeast U.S. region. He is responsible for law enforcement agency and distributor relationships in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

Daryell Harmon, ASP’s VP of sales, said, “Sales directors are responsible for distributor and agency relationships, assisting the organization of our law enforcement training programs and more. Ray is a natural for this position.”

Johnson has a background in military, law enforcement and private security training.

Outtech Sales Services Taps Business Development EVP

Legacy1846 Outdoor Group and its wholly owned Outtech Sales Services LLC (OSS) welcomed Mike Walston to its team as EVP of business development for Outtech Sales Services to focus on new sales channel opportunities for OSS and its partners.

Scott Blackwell, Legacy1846 Outdoor Group CEO, said, “His industry experience and expertise will undoubtedly enhance our collective efforts to bring further value to the partners of Outtech.”

Walston joins Outtech with over 25 years of experience in the outdoor industry. He has also held board seats with the Archery Trade Association and the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association. 

Big Rock Sports Announces Promotions

Big Rock Sports has announced a quartet of promotions impacting its executive and sales teams. 

Brian Phillips has been promoted to president. In his new role, Phillips will assume responsibility for leading all aspects of the Big Rock Sports business.Since joining the company in 2010 as director of national accounts, Phillips has quickly rose through the ranks. 

Most recently, Phillips served as Big Rock’s senior VP of sales and merchandising, where he consistently delivered outstanding results, driving revenue growth and fostering strong customer and vendor-partner relationships.

Mark Charnot is now Big Rock Sports’ chief operating officer. In his new role, Charnot will assume responsibility for leading the operations, supply chain, human resources and demand planning initiatives.

Charnot joined Big Rock in 2018 and quickly implemented the Achieve Labor Management Program to increase efficiency and lower operating costs. Shortly thereafter, he led the operational integration of a major acquisition and guided Big Rock through the COVID-19 pandemic — opening and expanding a new distribution center in Charlotte to meet volume and capacity challenges. 

Ryan Link has been promoted to VP of merchandising. In his new role, Link will be responsible for merchandising and product strategy for the Big Rock Sports U.S. distribution market. His experience in merchandising, category management and vendor development — along with his deep background in the retail industry — will enhance the Big Rock executive team. Link joined Big Rock Sports in 2013 and has held leadership roles in national account sales and merchandising.

Lastly, Brad McNutt has been promoted to VP of sales – dealer channel. McNutt joined Big Rock in 2008, serving as its national accounts manager. In 2012, McNutt’s performance led to his promotion as director of sales for the FCM division — later taking over the shooting division.

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