Here are some updates and the latest shooting sports industry news:

John Brasseur has been promoted to Vice President, Product Management for Sig Sauer to lead the product and project management teams firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

“I am looking forward to expanding my role at SIG and leading the best product management team in our industry,” Brasseur said. “At Sig we are raising the bar when it comes to product

development. What we have on the horizon for the future of our pistol, rifle, and ammunition product lines is very exciting for the future of our company, and our consumers.”

Brasseur began with Sig Sauer in 2010 as a Project Engineer and, from concept to production, was responsible for launching the SIG516 and SIG716. Over the course of his nine-year career, Brasseur has served in various roles including Manager of Rifle Product Development, Manager of Launch Engineering, Director of Engineering Operations, and most recently as the Director of Product Management.

“In each of his roles, John has been the catalyst to the development of many of the Sig Sauer pistol and rifle product lines, and integral to the exponential growth of our product lines,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales,. “Based on his track record of success we look forward to him taking on this new role and working across the company to grow our current product lines, and develop new products to keep Sig at the forefront of innovation.”

Brasseur holds an MBA from the University of Plymouth, and a Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of New Hampshire. He will lead product management from the Sig Sauer headquarters in Newington, New Hampshire.

NRA Announces GAOS Appearance

The National Rifle Association has announced an all-star lineup of outdoor celebrity guest appearances at the 2019 Great American Outdoor Show, scheduled Feb. 2-10 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

This year’s show will feature appearances and autograph signings by Duck Commander founder Phil Robertson, hunting power couple Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, big game hunter and outdoor television producer David Blanton, and “Growing Deer” expert Dr. Grant Woods. Detailed information on appearances, including dates, times and locations, will be available on the show’s website, www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.

Founder of Duck Commander and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, Phil Robertson will appear Feb. 7 to host a special presentation at 12 p.m. and a book signing at 2 p.m. for his new book, “The Theft of America’s Soul.” He also will host a meet-and-greet at the Friends of NRA Banquet that evening at 7 p.m.

Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, hosts of Outdoor Channel’s top-rated, award-winning The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, will appear Feb. 4-5 for seminars and meet and greets.

David Blanton, executive producer and host of Realtree Outdoors and Realtree RoadTrips on Outdoor Channel and Monster Bucks TV on Sportsman's Channel, will present his “Monster Bucks” seminar Feb. 9-10.

Dr. Grant Woods, wildlife biologist and host of GrowingDeer.TV, will appear Feb. 5-6 to present his “Growing Deer” seminar.

The nine-day Great American Outdoor Show returns to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg Feb. 2-10.

SAAMI Accepts Winchester Legend 350 Cartridge

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI), the firearms and ammunition industry's technical standards-setting organization, has accepted a new cartridge and chamber standard, the 350 Legend (350 LGND), introduced by Winchester Ammunition.

“SAAMI member ammunition and firearm companies are driven by technological innovation.” said Randy Bimson, Director of Technical Affairs and Technical Advisor of SAAMI. “Winchester’s 350 Legend cartridge brings a fresh look and innovation to a very mature cartridge category opening up new options to both the hunter and recreational shooter. SAAMI is pleased to include the new 350 Legend in the SAAMI standards.”

Winchester Ammunition is addressing a rapidly growing market segment, “straight-wall-cartridge-compliant” deer-hunting states. A growing number of states that previously restricted deer hunting to limited-range slug guns or muzzle loading firearms are now allowing rifles chambered in straight-walled centerfire cartridges. Many of these originated as handgun cartridge designs. The Winchester 350 Legend offers a significantly flatter trajectory and better terminal performance over current straight-wall cartridges while remaining compliant in most applicable states.

“The 350 Legend is a high-performing, straight-walled cartridge that dominates in velocity, energy, recoil and affordability, all of which are vital to our customers,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “Winchester is dedicated to innovation and it’s paramount that we continue to deliver meaningful, technology driven products that have a tremendous impact on the hunting and shooting sports industry.”

More information about the current 350 Legend offerings can be found here.

The SAAMI cartridge and chamber drawings and velocity and pressure are available here.

NSSF Board Welcomes New Member

Jeanelle Westrom has been elected by the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Patron mebers to the association's Board of Governors.

The third generation of her family to work in the firearms industry, Westrom is the owner of Davenport Guns & Shooting Club, a full-service firearms range, training and retail facility in Davenport, Iowa. She’s been involved in the firearms industry since childhood, working in gun shows with her parents early on. In the late 1990s she began shooting competitively, taking part in Bianchi Cup, ICORE, IPSC, PPC and Service Rifle, the latter of which included competitions at the prestigious Camp Perry. She is a certified instructor and has trained both rifle and pistol shooters.

Prior to opening her shooting facility, Westrom managed the ArmaLite store at Camp Perry, working with military and junior teams. In January 2016, she was selected to represent her home state of Iowa to join a group of dedicated female shooters who headed to Washington, D.C., to speak to legislators about the changing face of today’s shooter and the growing market for women shooters in what became known as the “DC Project.” Later that year, Westrom joined NSSF’s Range Advisory Committee. In joining NSSF’s Board of Governors, Westrom replaces former NSSF board member Bill Kempffer.

Her election to the board is effective immediately.

Remington Recognizes Top Sales Partners

Remington Outdoor Company recently recognized its top 2018 sales partners.

During the 2019 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Remington presented the following companies with top sales awards:

• 2018 Remington Distributor of the Year – Sports South
• 2018 Remington Law Enforcement Distributor of the Year – Craig’s Firearms
• 2018 Remington Retail Chain of the Year – Sportsman’s Warehouse
• 2018 Remington Buy Group of the Year – Nations Best Sports (NBS)
• 2018 Remington International Distributor of the Year – PB Dionisio & Co., Inc.
• 2018 Remington Canadian Customer of the Year – Bowmac Gunpar, Inc.

“These partners provided tremendous support of the Remington Outdoor Company brands in 2018” said Scott Rothenberg – Sr. Vice President of Sales. “Their dedication to our brands is driving their business, and we thank them for their efforts.”