Newsmakers: October
2020 Issue

FMG Publications Names Editor, Manager

FMG Publications announced Denny Hansen has joined its team as editor of American COP, as well as manager of social media and special projects. Hansen will handle social media engagement for GUNS Magazine, American Handgunner and American COP Facebook pages, as well as other industry-related projects.

“Denny has been a longtime fixture in the shooting industry for many years and there are not too many other people with his skill set,” shared GUNS Editor Brent T. Wheat. “With Denny on the team, I’d say there are going to be even more noteworthy things happening at FMG Publications in the near future.”

Hansen was the editor of S.W.A.T. Magazine for 32 years and has written hundreds of articles and editorials. He is also the author of the monthly Defensive Rifles column in GUNS Magazine.

A former deputy sheriff, tactical team member and department firearms instructor with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona, Hansen is a serious student of tactics and weaponcraft. He has attended over 100 firearms courses and is the only writer in the industry who has received the Kevlar Survivor’s Club award.

Zanders Sporting Goods Taps Operations Manager

Glenn Dunbar has joined Zanders Sporting Goods to serve as operations manager.

Zanders President and COO Stefanie Zanders said, “[Glenn’s] work ethic, knowledge and ability to streamline company operations is what made him a great fit for our organization.”

Dunbar has more than 40 years’ experience with various high-volume manufacturing companies where he emerged as a strategic business partner with success in safety, training, leadership development, employee relations and regulatory compliance.

Orchid Advisors Adds Manager, Specialist

Two new additions to the Orchid Advisors team have been announced: Scott Grigerek has assumed the role of compliance solutions manager, and Anthony Carlson is now the customer solutions specialist.

Jon Rydberg said, “Industry focus on software-driven solutions and technology has had a positive impact on our business and created a need for a much larger team. Scott and Anthony are two of several talented professionals who are being added to help retailers, ranges and manufacturers improve operating efficiencies and compliance.”

Grigerek will assist in the development of the eBound/e4473 and eState compliance software.

He has over 15 years of shooting sports industry experience, including retail and range operations. He also led ATF compliance efforts at O.F. Mossberg where he assisted with the integration of ERP and electronic bound book software and played a significant role in ATF inspection preparation and response.

Carlson will be assisting prospective and existing customers with the selection and use of Orchid’s software.
He developed extensive experience in retail POS systems, electronic ATF compliance and inventory management while working at Impact Guns. He also provided support to customers of Brownells and Gemtech Suppressors.

Sierra Bullets Appoints President

Sierra Bullets, a subsidiary of Clarus Corp., announced the appointment of Keith Enlow to the position of president.

John Walbrecht, president of Clarus Corp. stated, “Over the course of his career, [Enlow] has provided the strategic vision to improve brand equity and drive innovation for some of our industry’s most reputable and disruptive companies. We look forward to leveraging his expertise and enthusiasm as we continue to grow Sierra Bullets.”

Enlow has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience from serving in roles in the commercial, military and law enforcement markets. Most recently, he was the GM for Steiner eOptics. He also served as CEO for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Shooting teams. Senior leadership roles were also held at Remington Ammunition and Barnes Bullets.

Everest Selects Business Dev. VP

As the new VP of business development for Everest, Chris Carlberg will lead business development efforts for the company’s new e-commerce marketplace, including engaging brands, manufacturers and retail partners, forming new synergistic relationships across all Everest programs and managing the company’s internal sales team.

Everest Founder and CEO Bill Voss stated, “Chris’ experience and relationships across the firearms and outdoor sporting goods industries are top-notch and we believe he will be an incredible resource in our efforts to broaden the Everest marketplace and best serve our customers.”

Carlberg’s experience stems from positions such as VP of sales at Walther Arms, where he was instrumental in creating the industry’s first “Try Before You Buy” money-back guarantee. He also served as CEO of Guns.com and was the director of business development at Bill Hicks & Co. Ltd.

Davidson’s Inc. Hires Director, Manager

Davidson’s announced the recent addition of two key hires: Scott Lester was selected as director of marketing, and Joe Daugirda as the customer relationship manager (CRM).

“Scott brings a wealth of industry experience and leadership qualities to Davidson’s,” said Bryan Tucker, Davidson’s president and CEO. “As a firearms industry leader in marketing for our customers, we look forward to his team’s initiatives and the fresh excitement Scott will generate.”

Lester, who will lead print, digital, web design efforts of the marketing team, joins Davidson’s from Compass Marketing Inc. where he served as EVP of sales. He was director of product management (FGI Accessories & Licensing) at Freedom Group; president of Remington Licensing Corporation; and director of purchasing for Ellett Brothers.

Daugirda has several years of experience in the industry from roles at Blackstone Marketing and Maschmedt & Associates. He was responsible for B2B sales, promotions, events and trade shows and represented brands such as SIG, Gerber, OSM and Lansky.

“[Joe] will be an asset both to the company as well as our nationwide dealer customers,” said Mike Massimo, Davidson’s VP of sales. “Joe’s knowledge and passion for the outdoors and shooting sports communities is a vital part of what we look for in our CRMs.”

Daugirda’s territory covers Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California.

Buck Knives Announces Directors

Buck Knives announce Chris Bourassa has been selected to fill the role of director of marketing and new product development, and Chris Brooks was appointed director of business development.

“[Bourassa] is a consummate strategist with a passion for planning and execution,” said Joe Piedmont, COO of Buck Knives. “This move is very fitting for him, as he is a great driving force for our organization.”

Bourassa, who has served as Buck’s national sales manager for the past eight years, will be responsible for delivering the company’s voice, vision and product range into the market.

To more fully realize Buck’s position in ancillary markets, Brooks will now focus his efforts in the tactical, military and government sectors, as well as furthering the company’s commitment to the culinary side of the product range.

“Brooks has played a key role in developing products and relationships that solidify our position in the tactical and culinary markets. His vision behind the launch of the Ground Combat knives revitalized our reputation for developing military-grade products. I look forward to seeing the expansion of our non-traditional product lines and market growth through Brooks’ new role,” said CJ Buck, CEO and Chairman of Buck Knives.

Arcus Hunting Selects Manager

Arcus Hunting appointed Jake Mersberger to the position of national accounts manager. Mersberger will be responsible for the Tink’s, Dead Down Wind, Ramcat, Trophy Taker and Rack One brands, managing a number of large national accounts and overseeing the independent sales force representing Arcus Hunting.

Mersberger joins the company after spending 11 years with Dick’s Sporting Goods. Most recently, he spent six years as Yeti’s regional sales director for the northern and central U.S.

Promar Names Top Performer

Promar, manufacturer of fishing tackle and accessories and outdoor products, announced Rob Gervais of Can-Am Sales Group LLC was chosen as the “Top Promar Sales Performer – Canada.”

“Rob really knocked it out of the park this year,” said Promar National Sales Manager Steven Howie. “Growth of Promar item placement and top-line sales increases across all of Rob’s accounts, which includes some of the biggest retailers and distributors in Canada, made this a pretty easy decision.”

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

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