NEWSMAKERS: June 2020 Issue
D. Thelen
Capstone Precision Group Names President
Dan Thelen was named president of Capstone Precision Group following Bill Gravatt’s retirement. Thelen has been the GM of Capstone’s Meza, Ariz. operations, which includes Berger Bullets and Berger Ammunition. He will oversee Capstone’s Mesa, Ariz., manufacturing facility and Sedalia, Mo., distribution center. Gravatt will remain a managing director on the company’s board of directors.
Gravatt shared, “I’m confident Dan will do an outstanding job leading Capstone as the premier component and ammunition brands in the U.S. We have an excellent group of team members within Capstone, so he is inheriting a fantastic team.”
Thelen has more than 22 years’ experience in finance and operations within the shooting industry. Before joining Capstone, he served as the CFO at Hodgdon Powder Co. and director of operations for Modern Muzzeloading Inc.
M. Mathis
Primary Arms Government Retains L.E. Sales Manager
Primary Arms Government announced Major Mathis as the new U.S. law enforcement sales manager.
Primary Arms VP Ozge Cumberland said, “As we expand our Government Division into 2020, Major’s industry experience and product knowledge will be invaluable — not just for our company, but for the law enforcement community as well.”
Mathis has over 20 years of experience in the defense industry with both firearms and tactical equipment. As a manufacturer representative, he became well-versed in electro-optical technologies. In a previous role, Mathis served as the director of law enforcement sales, where he enacted strategic action plans and worked directly with both local and national law enforcement agencies.
In May, Primary Arms was named the newest Glock L.E. distributor for the state of Texas.
A. Lucky
Easton Appoints President
Greg Easton, president of Jas. D. Easton, announced VP of finance Aaron Lucky was named president of Easton Technical Products.
Lucky will succeed Mark Pezzoni, who announced his forthcoming retirement earlier this year. Lucky will oversee all Easton Technical Products operations, including archery products, OEM, military, medical and custom-tubing products.
Easton stated, “I am excited Aaron has accepted the position of president. The experience and insights he gained by taking on additional responsibilities and new challenges while working closely with the previous two presidents will serve the company well as we move forward.”
Lucky brings over 17 years of senior management experience from the Easton family of companies (Jas. D. Easton). His tenure began at Hoyt Archery and continued with the Easton division where he has been serving as VP of finance.
B. Dailey
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Inc. Adds Inventory Director
Benjamin Dailey recently joined Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Inc. (CSSI) as the director of inventory management. The new position is focused on inventory performance, management and forecasting. Dailey will also be working on item lifecycle, line reviews and vendor level planning.
“Our operations behind the scenes are always being improved. This position was created to better serve our industry by ensuring we are managing and turning the right products for our customers,” said Ron Staffieri, CSSI president.
Dailey joins the team with over nine years of inventory and business management experience, most of which have been in the firearms industry.
Sierra Bullets Selects VP
Sierra Bullets welcomed Matt Ohlson as its new VP, industrial sales. With Ohlson on board, the company is looking to expand its longtime relationships with U.S. and international ammunition OEMs and government agency customers.
Ohlson brings over 20 years of experience in the commercial, military, domestic and international ammunition, firearms and shooting accessories industries — serving in a variety of roles with several major brands.
Mammoth Coolers Solidifies Sales, Marketing
Blackbird Products Group, parent company of Mammoth Coolers, announces Director of Sales Bob George will now take on the added responsibility of marketing.
“Bob joined our company one year ago and has made strong enhancements to our sales and marketing efforts,” said Mike Hannigan, Mammoth CEO. “It’s a pleasure to allow Bob the opportunity to manage this additional function of our business.”
ASP Inc. Hires Sales Director
ASP announced the hire of Don Vacca as the new director of sales for the Western U.S. region. Vacca will be responsible for law enforcement agency and distributor relationships in the nine states west of the Rocky Mountains, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.
Prior to joining ASP, Vacca had a successful 35-year career at industrial product supplier Ecolab, where he held a variety of sales and leadership positions, including Western region assistant VP.
