Tim O’Connor is the new Director of Marketing for 1791 Gunleather, bringing more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the hunting and shooting industry.

“Working for a company I don’t have to make excuses for has been a cornerstone of my career," O'Connor said "I’m proud to join the 1791 family and look forward to working hard and helping the brand continue to grow.”

O’Connor has been an avid outdoorsman his entire life. Hunting and fishing with his father from an early age, he started in the industry at a Portland gun shop and shooting range. He then spent 19 years at Leupold & Stevens in several sales and marketing roles. Most recently he was with Crimson Trace in its marketing department. Adjacent to these roles, he has been a Gunsite instructor since 2014.

“Tim brings myriad marketing skills and experiences with him and we look forward to bringing him into the family and benefiting from his guidance and council,” said Ramiro Romani, CEO of 1791. “His knowledge will help us bring the 1791 Gunleather message to our customers.”

Smith Joins HAVA Board of Directors

Mark Smith, CEO of Smith & Wesson, has joined Honored American Veterans Afield's Board of Directors.

Smith represents one of the six HAVA founding sponsor companies from 2008. Smith & Wesson has consistently supported the HAVA program for disabled veterans and has been a strong voice in its growth. Smith is a 10-year veteran of S&W and shares his company’s passion for America’s disabled veteran family.

“I am honored and excited to be presented with the opportunity to join the HAVA Board, and I am committed to the long-term growth of the organization, and to those active duty wounded and disabled veterans we serve.” he said. “Smith & Wesson has been a major contributor of resources since HAVA’s founding, and we look forward to insuring it’s future success.”

HAVA currently is conducting limited smaller range and field events and is tentatively planning to go forward with two of its major family day events in September at Academi in Moyock, North Carolina, and in October with its flagship San Antonio Police Family Day.

Steger Retires from RSR Group After 42 Years

Robert Steger, founder and chairman of RSR Group, Inc., retired after 42 years of service with the company.

Steger is one of the original founders, starting the company in a two-car garage in Rochester, New York, in 1977. He served as President and CEO of RSR Group from 1983-2008.

“Bob has impacted so many lives in a positive way, providing the entire RSR family with the opportunity to have such wonderful and rewarding careers," said JoAnn Weisenford, RSR Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of all RSR’s employees, we thank Bob for creating such an incredible company.”

Howa Stainless Rifles Now Shipping

Legacy Sports International is shipping its new 2020 line of Howa Stainless rifles.

The rifles are available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win calibers in a 22-inch standard #2 Contour barrel, which is threaded for suppressor or muzzle brake applications. They have three stock options in OD Green or Black. Also shipping are the Stainless series rifles with the Howa/HS Precision combo stock options in OD Green, Gray or Tan and the Walnut Stainless series.

Tengwall New VP Marketing for Smith & Wesson

Kyle Tengwall is the new Vice President, Marketing for Smith & Wesson’s firearms brands.

An industry veteran, Tengwall joins Smith & Wesson from United Tactical Systems, where he most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer and Divisional General Manager for the PepperBall brand. Tengwall brings to the role more than 20 years of diverse industry experience in marketing, sales, and executive leadership at companies in the shooting, hunting, and outdoor markets.

“I am thrilled to join the Smith & Wesson team and help build upon such a powerful American brand," Tengwall said. "My past experiences afford me a unique perspective on consumer marketing in the outdoor industry space, and I look forward to working with and developing Smith & Wesson’s iconic stable of brands.”

Tengwall joined United Tactical Systems in 2017 as the company’s CMO/Divisional GM of PepperBall. In that role, he was instrumental in developing the brand’s core business as well as launching a new consumer brand under the PepperBall division. He also served as Vice President/GM of Duck Commander Inc. and Group Vice President of Marketing/Strategy at Vista Outdoors.

Tengwall earned his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

Morgan New Marketing Director for Outdoor Edge

Will Morgan is the new marketing director for Outdoor Edge, effective immediately.

Morgan brings more than a decade of management and marketing experience. He will be responsible for overseeing and developing all aspects of the company’s marketing activities.

Morgan has played an instrumental role in developing and implementing strategic broadcast, social, print and digital advertising campaigns for companies in the outdoor industry since 2012. His most recent position of director of producer relations was with UrgeMedia for eight years.

“We are excited to have Will join our Outdoor Edge family,” said Outdoor Edge founder David Bloch. “He brings a strong focus across multiple disciplines that will be critical to our continued growth and success.”

A graduate from University of Wisconsin Stout with a B.S. in business, Will currently resides in Colorado.

Tumlin New Senior VP, General Counsel at Davidson's

Wayne Tumlin is the new Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Davidson's.

Since 2012, Tumlin has been affiliated with Davidson’s as its corporate legal counsel and adviser. In his new role, he will oversee Davidson’s general operations as well as legal and compliance matters.

Tumlin has been a practicing business attorney for 28 years, serving as outside general counsel to a number of national and international closely-held businesses. Tumlin has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of America’s leading lawyers for business by Chambers USA, selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, and named by The Best Lawyers in America for his legal experience in various business transactional and regulatory fields.

“Having Wayne join the Davidson’s team is really exciting. He has provided more than just general counsel, but also great business advice to us for the last decade. I have been really impressed by Wayne’s decision making and breadth of knowledge,” says Bryan Tucker, President and CEO of Davidson’s. “Wayne is already well known by Davidson’s senior management and can hit the ground running.”