Newsmakers
March 2022

U.S. LawShield Promotes General Counsel, VP

U.S. LawShield announced Aaron Burdette was promoted to the role of general counsel, and Kristi Heuring to VP of communications.

P.J. Hermosa, CEO of U.S. LawShield, stated, “Upon joining the team, Aaron’s positive impact throughout the company was immediately recognized. We are honored to have him lead the legal department to ensure good corporate governance and sound business policy.”

Burdette previously held the role of deputy general counsel for the company and is a Tulane Law School graduate with more than 15 years’ experience.

Hermosa added, “Since joining the team less than a year ago, [Heuring] has continued to put the success of our 2A partners first. Kristi brings extensive industry knowledge and passion to all she does.”

Previously the company’s director of partner relations, Heuring is an award-winning marketing strategist with over 25 years of experience generating creative strategies and leveraging public relations and media platforms to help businesses achieve revenue and sales goals.

Creedmoor Sports Taps Marketing Director

Creedmoor Sports welcomed Wayne Dayberry as its new director of marketing to lead sales and marketing efforts in support of the precision shooting sports markets.

“Creedmoor Sports is making significant investments in our ability to better serve our industry and our customer; we see the addition of Wayne to our team as a key driver to our success going forward,” said Bill Gravatt, Creedmoor Sports’ president.

Dayberry most recently served as brand manager for a CPG firm. He also drove key marketing initiatives for Nightforce Optics.

Murray Road Agency Taps Client Management Director

The Murray Road Agency added Jonathan Harling as director of client management to its growing team. Harling will be responsible for managing client services including public relations, social media, ambassador and affiliate programs and other marketing needs. He will play an integral role in expanding brand relationships and media partnerships.

Murray Road President Tim Brandt said, “[Harling] is a true industry veteran with an amazing reputation, extensive experience and a hyper-focus on delivering for partners.”

Prior to joining Murray Road, Harling handled ad buying, influencer management and public relations for other industry agencies.
He earned a bachelor’s in mass communication from Winthrop University.

Trijicon Inc. Names VP

As Trijicon’s VP of sales and marketing, John Trull will have oversight responsibilities of the commercial sales and marketing organizations as well as the business development team which serves domestic military organizations, government agencies, international military/L.E. agencies and international commercial sales.

Trijicon President and CEO Stephen Bindon said, “[Trull’s] unique perspective on product development, brand management and operations will be a tremendous asset to Trijicon as we continue to expand our market share within the industry.”

Prior to joining Trijicon, Trull served more than 14 years with Remington Arms Company in various executive capacities. He also served as CEO of Hunter’s Specialties Inc., EVP of Davidson’s and most recently, he held the position of VP of product management-ammunition for Vista Outdoor Inc.

Trull earned his MBA from Wake Forest University.

BPI Outdoors Taps CEO, Promotes Managers

BPI Outdoors hired Scot Fischer as CEO, promoted Steve Mullinax to national sales manager for CVA and Bergara and Tricia Kinnard to marketing manager.

BPI’s former CEO, Nate Treadaway, stated, “I firmly believe Scot will be very complementary to the organization and will bring support and strength to many areas at BPI with his experience. Kinnard will do a fantastic job leading our marketing efforts.”

BPI Brand Manager Dakota Russell stated, “[Mullinax’s] enthusiasm and relationships with our account base make him a perfect fit for his new role.”

CSSI Welcomes Category Director

Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Inc. (CSSI) recently welcomed Melissa Dubiel to its team as category director.

“As we continue expanding our business from the Southeast to a national footprint, we are investing in people, technology and inventory as well as in our vendor partnerships. [Dubiel’s] versatility and grit will add to our ever-growing category diversification,” said Ron Staffieri, CSSI president/CEO.

Dubiel joins CSSI with over 35 years in the industry in a variety of roles including operations, IT and merchandising.

She earned a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in IT management from California State University East Bay.

RubLine Marketing Adds Coordinator

With a strong background in communications and passion for the outdoors, Michael Kordek will help serve RubLine Marketing’s roster of clients as the new marketing and social media coordinator. His role includes interacting with clients’ fans in real time as well as generating and distributing compelling content within the hunting/shooting space.

“We’re happy to have Michael join our team, and I know he’ll have an immediate impact on the digital presence of all the brands we serve,” said Chase Rohlfsen, president of RubLine Marketing.

Kordek is currently completing his master’s degree in communication studies at the University of Northern Iowa.

SENTRY Products Group Recruits Marketing Director

SENTRY Products Group selected Jeff Rose to spearhead the company’s new marketing initiatives as director of marketing and creative.

“Jeff has a big task bringing our various brands together under the SENTRY banner,” Terry Naughton, president of SENTRY. “I am confident he will not only handle the marketing challenge, but he will also be integral in making this company internationally recognized.”

Rose’s 18-year career experience includes serving as creative director for Vista Outdoor and the ATK family of companies.

Premier Body Armor Advances President

Premier Body Armor (PBA) announced the recent promotion of Alex Stewart to company president. Stewart’s new position reflects a shift in the operational leadership at Premier Body Armor, and marks a new era for the growing company.

Frank Stewart, Premier Body Armor CEO, said, “For the last few years, Alex has assembled an amazing team of professionals who have taken Premier Body Armor to another level. His leadership and communication skills are second to none. I will remain on board at PBA as CEO and it will be a pleasure to work alongside him.”

Vigilant Gear LLC Names CEO

Vigilant Gear LLC, owner of Primary Weapons Systems and Lone Wolf Arms, has named Nate Treadaway as its new CEO.

Vigilant Gear Founder and Chairman Clay Tippins stated, “Nate’s experience and stellar reputation as a seasoned industry professional, as well as his intimate knowledge of how to manage multiple brands, will be instrumental in allowing both of these companies to realize their full potential.”

Treadaway has over two decades of executive leadership in the firearms industry, throughout which he has managed various aspects of business including sales, marketing, operations, product development and strategic planning. He previously served as the CEO of BPI Outdoors.

Have new hires or promotion announcements to share? Send releases to: editor@shootingindustry.com

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