Newsmakers - June 2024

Springfield Armory Advances National Sales Manager

Springfield Armory promoted 20-year company veteran, Drew Herbst, to the position of national sales and law enforcement manager where he will spearhead sales strategies for buy groups, box stores and national accounts segments, as well as drive targeted initiatives to optimize growth and continue to foster lasting partnerships within these key sectors. He will also oversee L.E. sales and manage Special Make-Up (SMU) product development projects.

Steve McKelvain, Springfield Armory president shared, “[Herbst’s] profound understanding of our product line and the nuanced dynamics of our individual customers have long been among his greatest strengths, propelling him to excel in achieving both our and our partners’ sales objectives.”

CSG USA Appoints CEO

Czechoslovak Group (“CSG”) appointed Paul Lemke CEO of CSG USA, the company’s Virginia-based U.S. division. Lemke is responsible for identifying growth and innovation opportunities and for developing strategic trade relationships.

“We are pleased to welcome [Lemke] as CEO of CSG USA,” said David Štěpán, member of the board of directors of CSG and CEO of the CSG Ammo+ division. “The U.S. is an extremely important market for CSG, and we plan to significantly expand our presence here.”

Lemke has nearly three decades of experience in the firearms and ammunition industries. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Can-Am Sales Group LLC Taps Sales VP

Can-Am Sales Group LLC welcomed Rob DiFatta as the VP of sales and business development. He will be spearheading the sales team in the U.S., focusing on cultivating new business opportunities and tailoring customized solutions to meet customer needs.

Scott Makway, Can-Am Sales Group president, noted, “With nearly 30 years of sales, retail and merchandising experience, I am confident Rob will do a fantastic job leading our sales efforts.”

DiFatta’s 29-year career in the outdoor industry has been with The Hammond Group, where he played a pivotal role in driving company growth.

Tedder Industries Appoints Finance VP

Andrew Williams was appointed the VP of finance for Tedder Industries LLC and Alien Gear Holsters. He will lead critical financial functions and oversee the day-to-day finance and accounting operations.

Shawn Hostetter, CEO of Tedder Industries, said, “Under Williams’ guidance, our finance team is poised to drive the next phase of our growth strategy, enhancing profitability and instilling operational efficiencies throughout the organization.”

His prior experience includes leading finance teams for corporations such as Walt Disney, Walmart and Ford Motor Corp.

Williams earned a master’s in finance and corporate strategy and a bachelor’s in international business management from Brigham Young University.

SDS Imports Welcomes CEO

SDS Imports has hired Christoper DiCenso as its CEO. SDS Imports has five firearm brands under its umbrella: Tisas USA, Tokarev USA, MAC, Inglis and Spandau Arms. DiCenso will look to grow the brands’ sales and reach within the U.S. firearm market space.

DiCenso brings over 30 years of experience to SDS. Most recently, he was a managing partner at Growth Strategy Partners where he specialized in helping mostly firearm and related companies accelerate their revenue, profit and organizational growth. He also served as president of Camfour.

WATCHTOWER Firearms Names COO

WATCHTOWER Firearms has appointed Graham Kohlmeyer as its chief operating officer. He will contribute to the company’s operational rigor, corporate development, financial performance and capital structuring.

CEO Jason Colosky expressed, “His experience will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue to accelerate our growth and prove to be The Next Great American Firearms Company.”

Previously, Graham served as director of product management at Beretta USA. He has also held product management positions with Stanley, Black & Decker and Shark/Ninja. 

Graham earned a B.S. in global business/management and an MBA in international business from Sawyer Business School/Suffolk University.

Fulcrum Biometrics Taps Growth Exec.

Anthony Gonzales joined Fulcrum Biometrics, a provider of biometric solutions to the firearms industry, as its growth executive. In this role, he will expand Fulcrum’s assistance to the firearms industry by promoting products such as the FFL Express NFA fingerprinting solution.

Bringing over 30 years of experience in the firearms industry to Fulcrum, Gonzales has an extensive background including retail counter sales, law enforcement sales, firearms instruction and training, government and military sales and manufacturing.

MTM Case-Gard Adds Sales Manager

Klay Maynard has joined MTM Case-Gard as national sales manager where he will manage all sales efforts and initiatives for the brand.

Maynard has held positions at Pure Fishing, Beretta, Sportco Marketing and is co-owner of Maynard Outdoors.

ASP Appoints Sales Director

Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) hired Carlos Ruiz as its new director of sales for the Western U.S. region. Ruiz will be responsible for law enforcement agency and distributor relationships in an 11-state territory.

Daryell Harmon, ASP VP of sales, said, “Sales directors are responsible for distributor and agency relationships, assisting the organization of our law enforcement training programs and more. Having worn both hats — as a law enforcement expert and a business professional — [Ruiz] will fit in well and hit the ground running.”

Ruiz joins ASP after serving as a deputy sheriff in Riverside County, Calif. Prior to his time in law enforcement, he had a successful sales career.

Gunsite Academy Adds Instructor

Gunsite Academy firearms training facility announced Ashley Dooley has earned her certification as a staff firearms instructor.

Gunsite CEO Ken Campbell shared, “We are proud to add Ashley to our list of approximately 65 trained and respected professional firearms instructors.”

Dooley is currently a law enforcement special agent in Tennessee. She also has been a firearms instructor at her current agency for six years, specializing in handgun and carbine techniques and training.

Dooley first attended Gunsite in October of 2018 as a scholarship recipient of the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation.

HIVIZ Shooting Systems Hires Sales/Marketing VP

Joseph Smith is now serving as HIVIZ Shooting Systems’ VP of sales and marketing.

Joey Turbeville, CEO of HIVIZ Shooting Systems, said, “To implement our growth strategy additional resources are required, and we are very excited to have Joseph Smith join our team. His experience is a great addition to our excellent sales and marketing team.”

Smith joins the company with more than 25 years of experience in the outdoors industry in new business development, sales team coaching and management, marketing and product development. Previously, he was a director of sales and national accounts manager at Vista Outdoor.

Anderson Manufacturing Enlists CEO

Anderson Manufacturing announced the appointment of Jeff Stawiarski as its CEO, where he leads the company’s strategic direction, fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth.

Charles and Carl Anderson, owners of Anderson Manufacturing who will continue to lead through their roles on the board of directors, said, “[Stawiarski’s] proven track record of success, combined with his deep understanding of the industry, make him the ideal leader to guide our company into the future.”

Prior to joining Andersen Manufacturing, Stawiarski held positions at Xtreme Scents, W.L. Gore, Vista Outdoor and EOTECH.

Streamlight Inc. Names National Accounts Manager

Joshua Morse has joined Streamlight as the national accounts manager for the company’s Automotive/DIY division. He will support the manufacturer’s representative agencies and is responsible for increasing sales, revenue growth and customer support.

“Josh’s sales accomplishments are impressive and will serve us well at Streamlight,” said Michael F. Dineen, Streamlight’s chief revenue officer.

Morse previously held sales management positions at 48Forty Solutions and Mayhew Stool Products.

He earned a master’s in integrated marketing communications from Emerson College and a B.S. in American studies from Colby-Sawyer College.

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