In the latest shooting sports industry news...

National Shooting Sports Foundation president Joseph Bartozzi also is now chief executive officer of the firearms industry trade association following a vote by the NSSF's Board of Governors.

The change became effective Jan. 1, 2020. Bartozzi joined the NSSF as president on Sept. 10, 2018. He worked closely with former NSSF CEO Steve Sanetti, who retired Dec. 31, 2019.

Bartozzi spent the majority of his long career in the firearms industry with Mossberg, joining the company in July 1986. His time with Mossberg included a wide variety of positions including Quality Engineer, Quality Manager, Product Service Manager, Director of Technical Services, Director of Manufacturing Operations, Corporate Attorney and Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

Before becoming NSSF President, Bartozzi was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) and Treasurer and Member of NSSF’s Board of Governors. He is a Board Member and Chairman of the Governance Committee of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS); Committee Member for the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM); and Technical Advisor to the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE). He is also certified as a Range Safety Officer (RSO) by the National Rifle Association. Bartozzi was nominated for the 2013 “Person of the Year” by SHOT Business magazine, a nomination reprised in 2014.

In 2015, Bartozzi was admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. A member of the Connecticut and Maine State Bar Associations, he holds three professional certifications from the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and he is a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

TrueTimber Promotion Offers PSE Bow, Savage Rifle

TrueTimber's  2020 sales promotion gives dealers the chance to win big through the end of summer.

Each dealer order of $1,000 in TrueTimber product, will earn one chance to win a PSE EVO NXT 33 and Savage 110 High Country, both wrapped in the popular abstract Strata pattern. The promotion began Jan. 1 and ends Aug. 1, 2020.

To be entered, dealers must place an order of at least $1,000. For every $1,000 order placed at ATA or SHOT Show, dealers will receive a double entry into the giveaway. Dealers can visit TrueTimber booth 10332 at SHOT Show to see the newest apparel for 2020.

“With the new year comes a lot of orders from our dealers looking to get their hands on the newest TrueTimber gear,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “This promotion gives us a chance to give back to those dealers that are such a large part of our overall success. The winner is going to receive great prizes from PSE and Savage.”

Current dealers or those interested in becoming one should visit TrueTimber.com. 

Angle New CMO for Marolina Outdoor,
Young New National Sales Manager of Nomad

Pete Angle is the new Chief Marketing Officer of Marolina Outoor and Eric Young is National Sales Manager of Nomad.

Angle will be responsible for the executive management of all marketing and brand strategies.

"With a career spanning 20-plus years within the outdoor industry and being a lifelong sportsman, we know Pete will leverage his vast marketing capabilities and network of contacts to an expanding Marolina Outdoor team," said Edwin Lewis, CEO of Marolina Outdoor.

Young will be instrumental in managing the rapid growth and expansion of the Nomad brand.

"We are excited to have Eric join our team. His expertise and knowledge of retail sales will be a critical component to facilitate the growth of Nomad with all our retail partners," Lewis said.

Angle recently served as Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce for Plano Synergy, where he was responsible for all areas of strategic marketing and campaign execution for all brands. Angle has also served in marketing roles for O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Hunter's Specialties and Under Armour.

"I'm honored to join Marolina at such an exciting time," Angle said. "Huk and Nomad have become leading brands in the outdoor industry. It's evident that there is a lot of excitement around new technologies and the popularity of existing lines. I look forward to bringing fresh, new marketing strategies to Huk and Nomad so they become even more dominant players in the industry."

"Pete and Eric bring unique backgrounds and diverse skill sets that allow them to truly understand our consumers and the challenges associated with building solid brand relationships," Lewis said. "Their deep-rooted passion for the outdoors, as well as proven records to lead top brands in the market, will enrich the future of Marilina Outdoor."

Young most recently worked in merchandising for Dick's Sporting Goods for nearly eight years. While there he served as an Assistant Archery Buyer and Associate Buyer for Apparel and Hardlines for Dick's Field and Stream Project. He spent the last four years as the buyer for apparel, turkey, waterfowl, and varmint categories.

"I've had a great deal of experience with the Huk and Nomad brands and I'm honored to now represent them," Young said. "Their drive to provide hunters and anglers with quality apparel is second to none and I am thankful that I can now help bring Huk and Nomad to passionate consumers across the country."

Safariland Group sells KleenBore to Pro-Shot Products

 The Safariland Group has sold its KleenBore brand of firearms cleaning accessories to Pro-Shot Products, a family-owned business and leading manufacturer of American-made firearms cleaning accessories based in Taylorville, Illinois. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“The KleenBore brand has a rich history of providing a comprehensive line of quality gun care tools for law enforcement, military and sports shooters,” said James Imhoff, vice president and general manager for Safariland’s Diversified business unit. “It’s been a trusted brand delivered around the world for more than 40 years, so it’s fitting that Pro-Shot Products, a family-owned business for almost four decades, committed to offering quality gun cleaning accessories, is now home to the KleenBore brand.”

KleenBore was established in 1977 when Paul Judd, a sales associate for Yankee Hill Manufacturing, sought to offer a civilian variant of the M16 sectional cleaning rod set. The original set, sold under The Safariland Group as KleenBore’s Model S170, has maintained popularity through today. A multi-sectional two-piece steel rod made for .22-.45 caliber handguns, it is manufactured with durable nylon handles that rotate smoothly, allowing brushes and jags to follow the rifling while cleaning.

“KleenBore is one of the most reputable names in gun maintenance, offering some of the most dependable products in the industry,” said John Damarin, president, Pro-Shot Products. The heritage and dependability of the KleenBore brand aligns with our goal of offering quality firearms cleaning accessories that work faster and easier.”

The KleenBore brand includes an extensive line of precision-machined or crafted brushes, jags, bores, patches and rods designed to ensure the integrity of the firearm, as it keeps handguns rifles, and shotguns working properly, especially after a hard day on the range or in the field.

Andrews Joins Velocity Outdoor as VP-Marketing

Nick Andrews has joined Velocity Outdoor as Vice President of Marketing and will lead the development and implementation of the company’s overall marketing plans and strategies.

“Nick has deep roots and an excellent track record in the hunting and outdoor industry,” said Steve Upham, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We are looking forward to having Nick join the team where he will be a key enabler in growing the Velocity Outdoor brands.”

Prior to joining Velocity Outdoor, Andrews was the Vice President of Marketing at Nexus Outdoors family of brands including ScentLok, Scent Blocker, OZ, Hardcore Clothing and Tree Spider Safety.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most innovative brands in the industry and helped them forge a successful path in a converged retail marketplace,” Andrews said. “I’m excited to apply those concepts to Velocity Outdoor for sustained growth in today’s modern retail spaces.”

Andrews, his wife Mindy and their three children will be relocating from Michigan to Rochester, New York.

Massaro New Editor of 75th Edition of Gun Digest 

Gun Digest Media has named Phil Massaro Editor-in-Chief of Gun Digest, “The World’s Greatest Gun Book,” as the industry-leading volume heads into its 2021, 75th edition.

Massaro’s new role fills the void left by the recent death of Jerry Lee, who had been at the helm of the Gun Digest Annual since the 2013 edition.

Massaro is a well-known author, big-game hunter and president of Massaro Ballistic Laboratories, a custom ammunition shop.

Massaro has written numerous articles for a variety of firearms publications. He is the author of Gun Digest’s Shooter’s Guide to Reloading and Big Book of Ballistics, and also edited the 19th edition of Handloader’s Digest. Massaro also writes the “Reloading Bench” column for Gun Digest the Magazine. He lives in upstate New York with his wife Suzie.

“We’re confident Phil will continue to represent the Gun Digest brand with the same excellence that Jerry Lee brought to ‘The World’s Greatest Gun Book,’” said Jim Schlender, Group Publisher for Gun Digest Media. “Since 1944, Gun Digest has covered the firearms industry completely and with authority, and we’re looking forward to seeing Phil continue that legacy.”

The 592-page Gun Digest 2021 is scheduled for publication in August 2020.

Salb Joins HiViz Shooting Systems

Tes Salb is the new Director of Marketing and Communications for HiViz Shooting Systems.

Salb comes to HiViz with more than 18 years experience in marketing, communications, and project management in the shooting sports industry. She is also a competitive shooter in 3-Gun, The Tactical Games (TTG), pistol and other events. She got her start in shooting through the sport of Modern Pentathlon and trained as part of the Olympic Development Program, earning a spot on the 1998 US World Shooting Championship team and a chance to compete in the 2000 US Olympic Trials.

“We are excited about the combination of skills and experience Tes brings into this important role at HiViz," said Phil Howe, founder of HiViz. "She has a long history in shooting sports industry marketing as well as deep passion for competitive shooting.”

Salb is an active coach, mentor, and inspiration both inside and beyond the shooting sports. Her list of accomplishments includes: multi-course graduate at Gunsite Academy, University of Notre Dame Leadership Potential Program, and Board of Directors member for Friends of Trinidad State Junior College Fundraising Committee.

“The outstanding products and reputation of HiViz make this job an exciting one!" Salb said. "I look forward to helping HiViz in its continued success of delivering high quality and innovative products to market. I’m proud to be part of this team.”

While already recognized as an industry leader in sighting systems for competitive shooters, enthusiasts, and hunters, HiViz seeks to further market share through marketing, product development, and communication initiatives.

“Tes’s dynamic marketing experience is very well suited to guide our HiViz Team,” said Joey Turbeville, CEO. “Her extensive tactical and firearm industry expertise in marketing strategy, branding, and product launches, will lead HiViz as we continue our product development and growth strategies.”

Hoppe's, Champion Platinum Sponsors of SASP

Entering 2020 with the support of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program are Vista Outdoor brands Hoppe's and Champion. Their commitment to the program as Platinum Sponsors demonstrates the industry's drive to support young athletes in competitive shooting sport outlets.

"We are excited to partner with the Scholastic Action Shooting Program this year," said Brand Marketing Manager Eliza Graves. "The youth of America are our future and educating them in safe shooting principles from the start is paramount. SASP has an outstanding reputation in the industry and Champion and Hoppe’s products are a natural fit."

"Industry support is a huge part of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program and it really validates what we are doing from a youth development aspect," said SASP National Director, Rick Leach. "When big name brand companies in the industry such as Hoppe's and Champion get behind our program, it really shows our community that encouraging youth participation in shooting sports is an important and rewarding endeavor."

1791 Gunleather Adds RSR Group for Distribution

1791 Gunleather has increased dealer assistance with the addition of RSR Group as a new distributor.

RSR Group is recognized for its commitment and contributions to the industry and its shooting programs, offering same-day shipping, competitive prices and a broad inventory. 

“We chose to work with RSR Group, Inc. because they provide customers with the speed and convenience of ordering from regional branches, maintaining neighborhood service matched with the vast buying power of a national corporation,” says 1791 Gunleather CEO Ramiro M. Romani.

RSR Group, Inc. pioneered the industry's first E-Show, an online trade show, allowing dealers to participate in a large-scale trade event without ever leaving their store.

Retailers interested in obtaining 1791 Gunleather products through RSR Group, Inc. can visit https://www.rsrgroup.com. For information about stocking 1791 Gunleather, contact 1791 Gunleather National Sales Director Janette Palmer janette@1791gunleather.com.