Here are some updates and the latest shooting sports industry news:
The Blaser Group has promoted Christian Socher has been promoted to the Head of Sales and CEO of Blaser GmbH, while industry veteran Jason Evans has been hired a the new CEO of Blaser USA.
After almost seven years as CEO of Blaser USA, Socher is returning to Germany to lead the global sales efforts of Blaser GmbH. In his role in the U.S., Evans will be responsible for all aspects of Blaser USA’s business and will work closely with Socher to ensure a seamless transition.
“It has been an honor to serve as CEO of Blaser USA,” Socher said. “While I will miss running this division and living in Texas, I am excited about my new role as Head of Sales and CEO of Blaser GmbH and once again living in my home country. Blaser is poised for growth on a global scale, and Jason and I will work together to ensure a smooth transition here in the U.S.”
Evans brings more than 25 years of experience in the hunting and shooting sports to his role at Blaser USA. Prior to joining Blaser, he was Director of Sales and Marketing for Hogue, Vice President of Sales and Product Development for Weatherby, and spent 13 years in various roles at Benelli USA, ultimately serving as the company’s Vice President of Product Development.
“The Blaser USA portfolio of companies – Blaser, Mauser, J.P. Sauer & Sohn, John Rigby and Minox – are well-known and highly-regarded brands, and I am excited to be leading the business as CEO of Blaser USA,” Evans said. “The company’s German rifle, shotgun, and optic lines are known for their exceptional quality. These brands have a tremendous following in Europe and a growing customer base here in the U.S. I look forward to working with the Blaser team and our retail partners to increase consumer demand and continue to grow market share.”
Hoffa joins Sentry Products Group
Steve Hoffa has joined Sentry Products Group as Vice President of Sales.
Hoffa, formerly with Alpha Guardian (Cannon Safe / GunVault / Stack-On) and Blackhawk!, brings 20 years of sales and operations experience to the team.
Hoffa will be responsible for developing and managing Sentry’s growing sales and distribution network worldwide. Hoffa is a 20-year Special Forces Army veteran, serving in a variety of assignments in the United States and overseas in peacetime and combat operations. He retired in 1999 as a Chief Warrant Officer from 10th Special Forces Group, Ft. Carson, Colorado.
“We were fortunate to have worked with Steve in the past while he was at BLACKHAWK!,” said Terry Naughton, President of Sentry. “He is a tremendous asset and we know his unique skills, passion and leadership will be critical our continued growth.”
Sentry Products Group is the parent company for Hexmag magazines; Scopecoat Optic Covers; Sentry Solutions cleaners and lubricants and Sentry Firearm Covers, Bags and Packs and Nylon Gear.
Highby Outdoors Launches in Nebraska
The people of Sidney, Nebraska, a small town in the middle of nowhere, have long been known as outdoors men and women who work tirelessly to provide customers with their deep knowledge of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.
Matt Highby, owner of newly launched Highby Outdoors, will never forget the vision, knowledge and enthusiasm of those in Sidney who preceded him.
"My life is the outdoors and Sidney has always been my home," Highby said. "This drives me and my team every day. We are committed and focused on the customer experience."
That experience includes customers being able to deal with knowledgeable employees who are consummate end users of the innovative and quality products that Highby Outdoors sells, and the company's ironclad, money back "no questions asked" policy.
Highby Outdoors has lauched with hunting and hard goods products, and a selection of season-specific fishing and marine products. The company continues to add hundreds of products daily in all outdoor categories.
Timney Triggers Hires Pair of Rep Groups
Timney Triggers, has partnered with two sales rep groups: Ken Jefferies & Associates and Jeff Robles & Associates.
Ken Jefferies & Associates, located in Morrisville, North Carolina, will handle 37 states for Timney. The organization offers premier sales representation, product and program development assistance, market research, strategic planning, and public relations and marketing services for industry leading manufacturers. For dealer inquires at KJ&A, contact anthonya@kjanda.com.
Jeff Robles & Associates is a dual-season manufacturer’s representative agency, and will handle 13 western states for Timney. The organization is known for its aggressive sales ability, strategic planning capabilities and a mix of youth and experience. For dealer inquires at JRA contact info@jrasales.com.
Sig Sauer Partners With A Girl & A Gun
Sig Sauer has partnered with A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League as the league’s Title Sponsor for the 2019 competitive shooting season.
“We are very excited to support the A Girl & A Gun organization and to support their mission of empowering women through the shooting sports,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, Sig Sauer. “The organization also provides invaluable education and training for women on home defense, concealed carry, and safe firearms handling through their local and national events that we here at SIG feel are important to support. We are looking forward to being a very active sponsor with the A Girl & A Gun organization, and encouraging women to become involved in shooting sports.”
A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League is a competitive shooting league established by women, for women. The league welcomes women pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooters from beginner to expert and provides opportunities to improve their skill levels for self-defense and competitive shooting through recreation, education, competition, and community.
Team Ruger Starts 2019 Season with Multiple Wins
Team Ruger started its 2019 season with two divisional wins at the first match of the year.
Dave Olhasso and James McGinty earned divisional wins at the 2019 IDPA Arctic Blast Regional Championship at the Wilkes-Barre Rifle and Pistol Club in Hunlock Creek, PA. The match consisted of 10 scenario stages, held outdoors in the wintry conditions of northeastern Pennsylvania, testing each competitor’s skill and focus.
McGinty took top honors in the ESP division shooting the Ruger Custom Shop SR1911 Competition, finishing with a final time of 127.50. Olhasso won the CDP division and second overall with a winning time of 132.58, competing with the SR1911 Target configuration chambered in .45 Auto.
“Starting the season off with the IDPA Arctic Blast in extreme midwinter conditions made this a very challenging match,” McGinty said. “We were able to complete eight out of 10 stages before the snow started to fly. Even in the sub-freezing temperatures my SR1911 ran flawlessly, allowing me to come home with the first place finish.”
Cherokee Marshall Service Selects Rise Armament
The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, has selected RISE’s Watchman in patrol rifle and pistol configurations chambered in .223 Wylde.
The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service requested a demonstration of the Watchman rifle, a firearm designed specifically for law enforcement use. Rise spent a day on the range with the marshals, who ran the rifles through multiple drills that tested accuracy, dependability, and durability.
“RISE is honored to have the Watchman rifle and pistol selected for field use by the Cherokee Marshals,” stated Matt Torres, president of RISE Armament. “The Watchman was designed specifically for law enforcement purposes, and it’s exciting to see it meeting the high standards we set for it.”
The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service ordered 30 Watchman patrol rifles with 16-inch barrels and several Watchman pistols with 11.5-inch barrels.
Rise Armament developed the Watchman with input from SWAT/SOT/SRT officers, patrol officers, military snipers, professional firearms instructors, and competitive shooters to ensure it combines the best in functionality, accuracy, dependability, and affordability.
The patrol and pistol versions feature a free-floating, match-grade 416R stainless steel barrel with proprietary fluting for weight reduction. The Watchman has RISE Armament’s LE145 Tactical Trigger, which has a crisp, balanced break and 4.5-pound pull. It has a precision-machined aluminum handguard with a continuous 12 o’clock top rail, MLOK slots for attachments, and a skeletonized design for weight reduction. The rifle is sub-MOA accurate with duty ammo.
