Newsmakers
May 2023

Team One Network Promotes Director

Team One Network announced Robert Cole was promoted to director of training. 

“Robert has been a dedicated and valuable member of the team working as both instructor and training coordinator providing cutting-edge training programs,” said John T. Meyer Jr., president of Team One Network.

Cole joined Team One Network in 2015, and served as the training coordinator for nearly five years prior to his promotion. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 years.

Rinehart Targets Appoints Account Manager

Rinehart Targets appointed Matt Weisensel to the position of key account manager. In this role, he will be responsible for driving sales objectives and support for the company’s key dealers.

James McGovern, Rinehart Targets president, said, “His comprehensive understanding of Rinehart’s business and the archery industry will serve the company and its retailers well.”

Weisensel brings more than eight years of sales and customer service experience from a previous stint at Rinehart. Prior to taking on this new role, he was the sole sales specialist for Viking Cues.

Bushmaster Names Sales Director

Bushmaster recently welcomed Bill Gentry as its new director of sales. 

A company press release stated, “The Bushmaster brand is proud to be back in the firearms business, and it is our goal by bringing Bill Gentry on board that we will grow to the industry’s top ranks, once again.”

Gentry brings 17 years of industry knowledge and experience to his new role.

IHEA-USA Taps Partnerships/Development Director

Megan Fedrick has joined IHEA-USA as the director of partnerships and development to connect the organization with national partners, regularly communicate with state administrators and provide training for L.E. and instructors. She will also lead several of the state agency partner projects.

Alex Baer, IHEA-USA executive director, stated, “Her deep experience in Hunter Education and law enforcement at a state level bring perspective and practical knowledge to our team, allowing us to expand our programs to meet individual state fish and wildlife agency needs more effectively.”

Fedrick recently retired as the hunter education administrator and the boating law administrator for the state of Mississippi. In previous positions, she worked as a fisheries biologist, outreach educator and education coordinator for the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

Fedrick earned a master of science in natural science from Delta State University. She also graduated from the state law enforcement academy and retired as a major in the Law Enforcement Bureau.

Liberty Ammunition Selects Controller

Cheri Ady is now serving as controller of Liberty Ammunition where she oversees the company’s financial structure as it continues to grow.

“Cheri’s financial acumen, strategic leadership capabilities, experience with a large P&L and a solid track record in advising companies have prepared her for this role,” said Liberty Ammunition CEO Gary Ramey.

Ady joins the company with over 20 years of accounting and consulting experience that spans advising corporations, HNW individuals and serving as controller for a large conservative grassroots organization (NFRW) in Washington, D.C.

Walk The Talk America Adds Board Members

Walk The Talk America (WTTA) announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors, Tonnie Schmidt and Ron Staffieri. Both bring extensive experience and expertise to WTTA’s board and will help guide the organization as it continues to make a positive impact in the firearms community.

Michael Sodini, founder and executive director of WTTA, shared, “They both have ties to the firearms community and care very deeply about mental health and suicide prevention. Our values and goals for the WTTA mission align perfectly and I’m excited to see what they bring to it.”

Schmidt is a co-founder and co-owner of Delta Defense LLC, the service provider to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association. She also serves as a member of the West Bend Community Foundation and is an advisor for The Volunteer Center of Washington County, Wisc.

Staffieri is a senior executive with over 40 years of professional experience. He has also served on multiple boards, including CSSI, Harold’s Stores, Craft & Hobby Association, Natural Wonders, First Agricultural Bank/Bank of Boston, Norman Rockwell Museum, Adelphi University and the Parent’s Advisory Board at the University of Texas.

Fiocchi USA Names CEO

David Blenker is now serving as the president and CEO of North American operations for Fiocchi USA. Blenker replaces Anthony Acitelli, who retired from the position. Blenker will guide several major company initiatives — most notably, the expansion of Fiocchi of America and the new primer manufacturing facility in Arkansas, and furthering the company’s commitment to sustainable technology implementation throughout the product lines.

Acitelli commented, “I am looking forward to retirement and am pleased to leave the company in good hands as David brings to bear the kind of experience, integrity and long view that will serve Fiocchi well into the future.”

Blenker recently guided the new Taurus USA and the A-1 Industries manufacturing facilities in Bainbridge, Ga. He is a former NSSF board of governors member, along with being a past board member of SAAMI, past board member of the South Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America and currently holds a board seat on the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance.

Second Amendment Foundation Welcomes Director

J. Pierce Shields has joined the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) as the national director of advancement.

SAF Founder and EVP Alan M. Gottlieb shared, “We are fortunate to have Pierce coming aboard, especially at this moment when SAF is greatly expanding its legal activities.”

Shields’ background includes more than 20 years’ experience in planned giving as well as overseeing a major bank’s trust and private wealth department.

He holds a J.D. from Widener University Law School, a Master of Laws in taxation from Villanova University and a bachelor’s degree in law from Rowan University.

PTR Industries Taps CEO

PTR welcomed Jonathan Mossberg to the position of CEO to lead the company into a new era of innovation and growth.

Mossberg’s expansive resume includes experience in factory-level manufacturing, operations, R&D, financial, sales, marketing, business development, acquisitions and engineering. He has also served as president of several corporations.

Mossberg has sat on numerous industry boards including NSSF, SAAMI and the Wildlife Management Institute, and holds several U.S. and international patents.

Vista Outdoor Names Sporting Products CEO

Vista Outdoor announced the promotion of Jason Vanderbrink to CEO of sporting products.

“I’m excited for Jason to take a larger role in the near term and ultimately lead an independent company later this year,” stated Vista Outdoor Interim CEO Gary McArthur.

Vanderbrink joined the company in 2005, and has held many senior positions including SVP of sales and president of sporting products. He earned a bachelor’s from Saginaw Valley State University, a master’s from Missouri State University and completed the advanced management and leadership program at Oxford University.

Steiner Optics Recruits National Sales Manager

Steiner Optics welcomed Dave Pasienski as the national sales manager. He will manage independent rep groups in the shooting sports and marine segments, as well as administer the distributor channel and buying group business.

Todd Fulton, Burris/Steiner VP of sales, said, “[Pasienski’s] previous role as director of commercial sales has earned him deep knowledge of the optics market and its customer base. This experience will greatly assist in the advancement of the Steiner brand.”

His nearly 20 years’ firearm industry experience comes from roles at SureFire and Aimpoint. Pasienski earned a bachelor’s in marketing from California State University, Long Beach.

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