Newsmakers: November
2020 Issue

Written By Shooting Staff

2020

C. Shable

A. Lenhard

J. Duckett

N. Franks

Kinsey’s Inc. Announces Hires, Promotions

Kinsey’s recently announced a host of new hires and personnel changes, including the addition of three new regional sales representatives to serve the independent retail segment: Colin Shable, Cody Jackson and Jake Arienzo.

Preferring to promote from within, Adam “Lenny” Lenhard moved to alternative sales while Jon Duckett transitioned to purchasing.

Nick Franks was welcomed as consumer brands division – brand sales manager. His independent retail experience will provide guidance and support to the Alpine Archery, BlackHeart Gear, Elevation, Fin-Finder and October Mountain Product lines.

Kyle Warfel has been hired as tech support and logistics coordinator for the consumer brands division. He will support trade shows, consumer event coordination and product procurement needs.

Justin Gorman, Kinsey’s VP of sales and marketing shared, “The market is moving fast right now. Spotting resource needs and acting quickly is important in a fast-paced sales environment. Continuing to hire dynamic employees who add value to our customers is a priority as we build our growth strategy.”

N. Reddick

Frontier Justice Adds Manager

Nicole Reddick has joined Frontier Justice’s buying team as the soft lines manager where she directs the front half of the Kansas City, Kan., retail store.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our purchasing department with a professional who is local and was educated by Kansas State University as well,” commented Bren Brown, Frontier Justice president.

Reddick shared, “I’ve quickly learned during my time at Frontier Justice my ‘coworkers’ are going to be more like family. Every day I walk through the doors and I feel the passion people have for Frontier Justice’s core values of faith, family and freedom.”

Reddick joined the company with experience from serving in roles at both local and national corporations such as Banana Republic, Neiman Marcus and Rally House.

D. McPherson

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. Names CFO

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. named Deana L. McPherson EVP, CFO, treasurer and assistant secretary in a previously announced transition following the retirement of Jeffrey D. Buchanan and the completion of the spin-off of the company’s outdoor products and accessories business.

Mark Smith, Smith & Wesson president and CEO, said, “Deana has made significant contributions to our company … Her experience, strong leadership skills and extensive knowledge of Smith & Wesson’s financial operations, make her a tremendous fit for the role of CFO.”

McPherson joined S&W in 2007 as corporate controller; she was later promoted to VP of finance and corporate controller, and chief accounting officer in 2017.

She is a CPA, a Chartered Global Management Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Institute of Public Accountants.

K. Ross

W. Calil

Primary Arms Taps Manager, Promotes Director

Primary Arms announced the addition of Kenneth Ross as senior creative manager, and the promotion of Wilson Calil to director of inbound marketing.

Ross manages the creation of all Primary Arms creative media, including graphic design, photography and videography. Most recently, he was creative director for Century Arms, and he spent 17 years with Crain Communications as a designer for publications.

Miranda Cook, Primary Arms’ director of outbound marketing said, “Ross’ years of industry creative experience will be a great support to all of our divisions, helping Primary Arms with a competitive creative direction toward all of our marketing efforts.”

Wilson will be overseeing important inbound marketing initiatives and strategies, including SEO, editorial management, market research, web content and email marketing. He joined Primary Arms in 2019 as digital marketing and acquisition manager.

Ozge Cumberland, Primary Arms’ senior VP stated, “Over the past year, Wilson has adopted and developed our digital marketing processes and team with innovative strategies. We are excited to see what is to come.”

B. Wouters

S. Smoak

Bangers LP Appoints President, GM

Bangers LP announced the appointment of Brent Wouters as president and CEO, as well as the hire of Spencer Smoak as GM of the Alabama distribution center.

Wouters takes on the role of president and CEO following Rick Bestwick’s retirement from the position. He brings over 20 years of experience from serving as CEO, COO and CFO at several high-growth industrial, automotive and aerospace companies.

Bestwick shared, “As we continue to grow and evolve within the two-step distribution network, Brent’s experience will help solidify impactful transformation in our capabilities and continued expansion.”

As GM, Smoak will be responsible for increasing throughput, improving workflow and maximizing resource utilization.

Wouters said, “Spencer’s skill set and experience managing two-step distribution logistics within the shooting sports industry will help solidify our position and reputation for best-in-class service within the retailer community.”

Smoak previously served as GM for DHL at its distribution hub. He spent 13 years at United Sporting Companies and oversaw all aspects of facility management and logistics at its South Carolina location.

Blaser Group Retains Director

As Blaser Group’s new North American director of sales, Derek Paul is responsible for all commercial sales activities for Blaser, Mauser, Sauer and Rigby rifles and Minox optics throughout North America.

Blaser Group CEO Jason Evans said, “Derek is uniquely qualified to lead the commercial sales efforts. … [His] expertise on our industry-leading designs, and his deep knowledge of the commercial sporting goods market will serve [us] well.”

Paul joins Blaser Group with experience from Dunkin Lewis, where he was southwest regional sales manager. He was also a sales representative for Proactive Sales and Marketing, and manager and senior buyer for Star Arms LLC.

Springfield Armory Names Sales VP

Russell Datson joined Springfield Armory as VP of sales where he will be working closely with Peggy Hickenbottom, VP of distribution and customer service.

Steve McKelvain, president of Springfield Armory stated, “The depth of knowledge and experience [Datson] brings to this extremely important role no doubt will support and strengthen the company’s continued success.”

He has held key sales roles within the firearms industry for the past 20 years. Most recently, Datson was the director of sales and customer service with L3 Harris Technologies-EOTech. Additional experience stems from companies such as Leatherman Tool Group, the Freedom Group Family of Companies, Liberty Ammunition, LaserMax and more.

Datson stated, “Springfield Armory is one of the powerhouse brands of our industry. I am proud to be part of its tradition of bringing high-quality, innovative products to our professional users, consumers and retailers.”

Outtech Inc. Hires Sales Rep

Brad Crum recently joined Outtech as the inside sales representative for the independent channel. Crum will be working with current and potential retailers nationwide to promote and sell brand programs for vendor partners. He will also work closely with Outtech’s regional sales managers to identify new opportunities and coordinate in-person sales presentations.

Crum has more than nine years of experience in sales and project management. He is a longtime member of the Outtech Field Staff and member of several other hunting industry Pro Staff teams.

RubLine Marketing Expands Team

RubLine Marketing welcomed the addition of Reid Vander Veen to the agency’s team. Vander Veen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of marketing including both strategic and tactical leadership. He has led the marketing efforts for organizations of all sizes including everything from small startups to global, multi-division technology firms.

Vander Veen earned a master’s degree in marketing, and also teaches undergraduate and graduate level marketing and sales courses, at the University of Sioux Falls.

SureFire LLC Grows Sales Team

SureFire announced Justin Van Stee joined its sales team as law enforcement sales manager for SureFire’s eastern region. He will engage with SureFire distributors, dealers and customers in the eastern half of the U.S.

Van Stee has 25 years of experience in law enforcement, firearms and public safety sales, having held such key roles as a manufacturer’s representative, national sales manager, director of sales and principal/owner.

Blackbird Products Group Adds Management Staff

Blackbird Products Group LLC, makers of the Mammoth brand of rotomolded coolers, drinkware and accessories announced key additions to its management team. Jerry Hall was selected to fill the role of business analyst senior manager, and Rachel Rogers accepted the position of marketing manager.

Hall will be responsible for managing specific initiatives and developing and implementing business procedures, a role he held for eight years at Buck Knives.

Rogers will execute branding, advertising, media relations and content development strategies for the Blackbird Products Group and Mammoth brand.

Sellmark Corp. Names Gen. Counsel

Sellmark Corp. welcomed Jared Wood as general counsel and director of business enhancement.

Prior to Sellmark, Wood was in private practice in Dallas, specializing in corporate and securities transactions with focus on the manufacturing, financial services, transportation and energy industries.

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

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Newsmakers: November 2020 Issue