Newsmakers
December 2022
Zanders Sporting Goods Advances Director
Danny Siegler was promoted to the position of director of marketing and procurement at Zanders Sporting Goods.
Zanders’ President and CEO, Stefanie Zanders, shared, “I have no doubt Danny will continue to be an asset in the years to come, providing our customers with the high-quality products and services they deserve while enabling us to achieve our goals for growth as a company.”
Siegler joined the company as a sales manager in 2014.
Outdoor Edge Cutlery Taps Sales VP
Outdoor Edge Cutlery welcomed Marty Owens as the VP of sales — east.
“[Owens’] extensive cutlery experience will help accelerate Outdoor Edge’s growth while exceeding our customers’ expectations,” said Jody Agnew, Revo Brands’ chief revenue officer.
Owens started his sales career at Proctor & Gamble and has worked with several well-known brands such as Stanley Black & Decker, Gerber Outdoor Products, CRKT and Airhead Sports.
V20 Recruiting + Consulting Adds Exec. Recruiter
V20 Recruiting + Consulting announced Chris Hayes has joined its team. Hayes will be utilizing his experience to match talent with V20’s clients’ operations.
“Chris joins V20 at a time of unprecedented growth and opportunity. His wealth of knowledge and passion for the industry is fantastic,” said Doug Sexton, V20 president.
Hayes’ previous experience stems from key roles with Specialty Sports Limited, Wolverine Worldwide, Harley Davidson Footwear and Motorsports Aftermarket Group.
DSG Outerwear Welcomes Sales VP
Bob George joined DSG Outwear as its new VP of sales.
“We’re excited to bring Bob on board as our new vice president of sales to lead sales strategy and development, helping DSG Outerwear tap new growth opportunities,” said Founder/Owner of DSG Outerwear Wendy Gavinski.
George’s prior experience includes more than a decade at Buck Knives where he served as VP of sales and business development as well as VP of marketing. He also served as VP of sales, marketing and business development at Blackbird Products Group (parent company of Mammoth Coolers, Remington Coolers and ABKT knives).
TenPoint Crossbows Promotes Executives
TenPoint Crossbows announced the recent promotions of Phil Bednar to president and CEO of the company (Hunter’s Manufacturing Co. Inc. dba TenPoint Crossbows) and Steve Bednar to EVP and COO. Phil joined the company in 2008, and most recently held the position of EVP of sales, marketing, and product development, while Steve joined the company in 2013 and served as EVP of operations. Phil and Steve’s father, Rick, co-founded the company in 1994.
Rick Bednar, executive chairman of TenPoint Crossbows, said, “With their passion for business, our customers, employees and brand will greatly benefit from these promotions.”
After graduating with an MBA from the University of Akron, Phil joined TenPoint as a marketing assistant and has since held multiple positions in marketing and sales.
Steve joined the company after graduating from Ashland University with a degree in supply chain management. He is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Hawke Optics Advances Manager
Paige Shipe was recently promoted to the position of U.S. marketing manager for Hawke Optics to help bring brand awareness and demand to another level for the company.
“As our overall marketing efforts have grown significantly over the past few years, Paige has played a huge role in maximizing our exposure and enhancing the quality and cohesiveness of our marketing,” said Kevin Sheehan, Hawke Optics’ VP of sales and marketing.
RubLine Marketing Grows Team
RubLine Marketing welcomed Adam Wojciechowski as marketing and social media coordinator, and Payton Daniels as graphic designer.
Wojciechowski will develop social media, email marketing and influencer marketing strategies for the company’s clients.
Chase Rohlfsen, RubLine Marketing president, said, “[Wojciechowski’s] strong background and expertise in digital strategies as well as the outdoors space will be a wonderful asset to our clients.”
A graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he earned a B.S. in natural resources and environmental science. He previously worked as a recruitment technician for Illinois Learn to Hunt.
Daniels will create print, social and web graphics, develop creative strategies and design a variety of assets for clients.
RubLine Art Director Mark Watson shared, “Her design experience and creative eye will be a great asset to our agency and all of our clients.”
Daniels earned a degree in graphic communication technology and previously worked in marketing and graphic design for both non-profit organizations and media companies.
Taurus USA Names Marketing Manager
As Taurus’ new marketing manager, Caleb Giddings is responsible for working with the marketing team on the tactical execution of the marketing plan, product launches, public relations, content creation and product development.
Giddings joins Taurus from his previous position as a digital editor with Athlon Outdoors. He also spent almost 15 years working primarily as a freelance writer in the industry.
SIG SAUER Selects Defense Advisor
Former Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Commander General Scott Miller has joined SIG SAUER as defense advisor.
“General Miller is an exceptional addition to our team and comes at one of the most exciting times for our company as we begin the historic process of fielding the Next Generation Squad Weapons with the U.S. Army,” said Ron Cohen, SIG SAUER president and CEO.
Miller served in the U.S. Army for 40 years, most recently as the commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. He participated in numerous combat operations, including the Battle of Mogadishu and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
ASP Inc. AppointsDirector Of Sales
George Ansardi is the new director of sales for Armament Systems’ (ASP) mid-south U.S. region. He is responsible for L.E. agency and distributor relationships in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. His territory also includes Mexico and Latin America.
ASP VP of Sales, Daryell Harmon, shared, “George has had a distinguished law enforcement career and knows the policing world inside and out. And he is a great relationship builder and leader, all things we look for in our company culture.”
Ansardi joined ASP after a 33-year career with the Kenner (Louisiana) Police Department. He retired with the rank of captain, last serving as the Field Services Bureau Commander. Ansardi is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and a veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne.
Streamlight Inc. Promotes National Sales Manager
Streamlight Inc. announced the promotion of Travis Bridgette to national sales manager — east for the company’s Industrial/Fire division. He will maintain distributor and agency relationships as well as develop marketing strategies for the division.
“Bridgette’s positive attitude, exceptional work ethic and proven leadership skills are what set him apart,” said Streamlight Chief Revenue Officer, Michael F. Dineen.
He joined the company in 2018 as southeast regional sales manager and has more than 20 years of sales experience. Prior to Streamlight, he served as field safety specialist for Grainger Industrial Supply.
Bridgette earned a bachelor of arts from Concord College.
Maxim Defense Retains Commercial Sales VP
Maxim Defense has hired David Farrell as VP of commercial sales where he is responsible for sales team leadership, expanding new sales territories, developing new distribution channels and contributing to the company’s marketing and business strategies.
Dave Larson, Maxim Defense EVP of sales and marketing said, “As Maxim continues its rapid growth, David’s sales leadership and background in building top-performing sales teams will expand Maxim’s products and brand.”
Before joining Maxim, he led the sales teams at Christensen Arms and spent four years with SIG SAUER managing multiple national accounts and other sales and marketing initiatives.
Farrell is a graduate of the University of Iowa and received his MBA from the University of New Hampshire.
Christensen Arms Names Exec. VP
Willie Vernon has joined Christensen Arms as the executive VP of marketing. She will lead the marketing team with the goal of introducing new audiences to the brand in addition to growing the company’s overall presence and footprint in the firearms market.
“Her breadth and depth of knowledge, both of the firearms and outdoor industries, will be invaluable to our already talented team as we continue to reaffirm Christensen Arms’ place as a leader of its space,” said CEO Jason Christensen.
Vernon brings more than 13 years’ experience to her new role from positions at BOTE, SilencerCo, Vista Outdoor and Rex Specs.
