Newsmakers - June 2025

Sturm, Ruger & Co. Appoints VP

Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc. appointed Ben Quinn as the VP of strategy and business development. Quinn will be instrumental in shaping Ruger’s strategic direction, identifying and advancing growth initiatives and driving critical business outcomes.

Ruger CEO Todd Seyfert stated, “His strategic insight and leadership will be key as we focus on growth, operational alignment and delivering long-term value.”

Quinn brings experience to Ruger from high-impact roles at organizations such as United Airlines, Strategy& (PwC’s global strategy consulting business) and most recently, as director of strategic initiatives at Dometic Corp.

He earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

WOOX Welcomes CEO

Ben Fleming is now serving as the CEO and VP of sales for WOOX.  Fleming will lead WOOX’s global sales strategy, accelerate its expansion across dealer and distributor networks and guide the company into its next chapter of product innovation and market growth.

He brings over a decade of experience in the shooting industry, most notably from serving as VP of sales at Bergara/BPI Outdoors.

Laura Burgess Marketing Names President

Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) announced the promotion of Ashley Burgess Gall to president. Laura Burgess, founder of the company, will serve as an advisor to Gall as she transitions into the position.

Burgess stated, “[Gall] has continued to demonstrate she is ready for this leadership role by assuming direct managerial relationships with all our clients, guiding their public relations and marketing projects.”

Throughout her 16-year career with LBM, Gall has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction. She originally joined LBM to introduce social media as a key marketing tool for the industry but quickly expanded her expertise to encompass public relations, media strategy, brand positioning and content development.

MidwayUSA Foundation Adds Board Members

MidwayUSA Foundation’s board of directors appointed Jon Zinnel as its president and Nancy Bacon as VP.

Zinnel joined the board in 2021 and is the director of community relations for Federal Premium, Remington, Hevi-Shot and CCI Ammunition.

“Jon Zinnel has a compelling record of supporting youth in the shooting sports. His knowledge, experience and passion make him well-suited to lead our board of directors as the new president,” said G. Scott Reynolds, executive director of MidwayUSA Foundation.

Bacon is the VP of Southwick Associates and has served on the board since 2022.

“I am also thrilled to have Nancy Bacon assume the role of board vice president. Nancy is a committed outdoorswoman whose enthusiasm and commitment to our nation’s youth make her the ideal person to assume this board leadership role,” added Reynolds.

Primary Arms Promotes VPs

Primary Arms promoted Kody Staples to VP of marketing, and Scott Tirman to VP of Primary Arms Optics.

Staples oversees all aspects of marketing across key business units, including e-commerce, optics, government and wholesale. He also leads the customer service division. 

Marshall Lerner, founder and CEO of Primary Arms, said, “With this expanded role, [Staples] will drive even greater synergy across our business units, strengthening our brand, enhancing customer engagement and ensuring that our marketing and service efforts work seamlessly to support our long-term growth.”

Tirman leads the full optics division, including supply chain, manufacturing, engineering and sales.

“[Tirman’s] ability to align operations with market demands and his relentless pursuit of excellence will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and grow in the optics space,” said Lerner.

Diamondback Firearms Names Marketing Director

Dave Larson has joined Diamondback Firearms as the director of marketing and is responsible for overseeing all marketing initiatives across the company’s product lines.

“[Larson’s] industry knowledge and innovative approach to marketing will help us continue to connect with our customers while expanding our reach in both domestic and international markets,” said Faith Denman, CEO of Diamondback Firearms.

Larson most recently served in a senior marketing position at Maxim Defense.

C&H Precision Taps Sales & Marketing VP

As the new VP of sales and marketing at C&H Precision, GW Ayers is leading the company’s strategic sales and marketing efforts, leveraging his background in the defense and firearms industries to drive growth and expand market reach.

Buck Holly, owner of C&H Precision, expressed, “GW brings a unique combination of military, retail and industry experience that will be instrumental in driving our brand forward.”

Ayers served 22 years in the U.S. Army before transitioning to the defense industry. He later moved into the firearms sector, founding and operating several high-end retail stores and shooting ranges.

Fiocchi Of America Welcomes Sales Director

Fiocchi of America welcomed Todd Ruff as its new director of sales, where he oversees sales strategies, strengthening customer relationships and driving continued growth in the U.S. market.

Chris Tinkle, VP of sales at Fiocchi of America, shared, “[Ruff’s] expertise and leadership will be instrumental in expanding our market presence and delivering exceptional service to our customers. Todd’s vision aligns perfectly with our mission to provide high-quality ammunition to shooters and hunters across the country.”

SCTP Grows Team

The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) hired Sylvia McCart as programs manager for the southeast region, and Jason Anderson as the southwest director of development.

“We are grateful to have Sylvia join us as the SE programs manager,” commented Wayne Rasmussen, SCTP national director. “She has a long history of working with youth shooting teams and helping grow the SCTP.”

Anderson has served the youth development program for several years as a regional field representative, Texas state director and local team head coach.

CAHSS Selects Exec. Director

The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) named Chuck Sykes as its new executive director. His appointment is effective on July 1, 2025.

“Chuck Sykes is exactly the right person, at the right point in time, to take the council to the next level,” said Mark Tisa, Ph.D., CAHSS board chair.

Sykes has served as the director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources since 2012. 

A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in wildlife biology, Sykes founded a full-service natural resource consulting firm in 1999. 

In 2001, he launched “The Management Advantage,” TV program on the Outdoor Channel that focused on wildlife management and habitat restoration. The show aired for 11 years, educating landowners and the public on sustainable conservation practices.

Liberty Safe Names CRO

Liberty Safe recently appointed Donny McKay as its new chief revenue officer. McKay aims to utilize his knowledge of pricing strategy, customer relationship management and business development to expand Liberty Safes’ product offerings and enhance customer value.

“Donny’s expertise in revenue growth, strategic leadership and market intelligence will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen Liberty Safe’s position as the industry leader,” said Dave Foley, CEO of Liberty Safe.

McKay most recently served as SVP of sales and marketing at American Security Products.

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