Leading Executives in Fishing, Hunting and Trapping
Chris Bezzina
President & CEO, Savage Arms
Longtime engineering and operations leader who became President & CEO on December 31, 2023; credited with innovations like the AXIS rifle, AccuStock, and the A17 platform before moving into the top role.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
John Buelow
President, Mercury Marine (a Brunswick company)
Marine industry veteran leading Mercury Marine as President, steering high-profile launches like the V10 425hp Verado and advancing the Avator electric outboard line.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Tim Caven
Founder & President, Minnesota Trapline Products (Bridger Traps, Minnesota Brand)
Co‑founder who built MTP (est. 1978) into one of the world’s largest direct retail trapping suppliers; acquired Bridger Traps in 2010 and expanded in-house MB trap manufacturing.
Website | Website (Bridger Traps) | Email
Ron Cohen
President & CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc.
Longtime President & CEO who has overseen major growth in defense and commercial markets, including the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program and expansion of ammunition manufacturing capacity.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Bill Duke
Owner, Duke Company (Duke Traps)
Owner of one of North America’s best-known trap manufacturers, operating from West Point, Mississippi, with a broad line used for wildlife control and fur harvesting.
David M. Foulkes
Chairman & CEO, Brunswick Corporation
CEO since 2019 and, as of March 1, 2025, also Chairman; leads a marine portfolio that includes Mercury Marine and Navico Group, focusing on innovation across propulsion and marine systems.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
W. Laird Hamberlin
Chief Executive Officer, Safari Club International
CEO of SCI and SCI Foundation since 2019; has emphasized membership growth, global chapter expansion, and aggressive advocacy for hunters’ rights.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Travis Hall
Chief Executive Officer, Browning Arms Company (an FN Browning Group brand)
Industry veteran leading Browning’s U.S. operations; recognized publicly in sector leadership roles and by conservation partners for the brand’s long history and support.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Helen Johnson-Leipold
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Outdoors (Humminbird, Minn Kota, Old Town, etc.)
Chairman & CEO since 1999, she leads a portfolio of fishing and marine brands central to angling electronics and trolling motor categories.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Johnny Morris
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Bass Pro Shops (incl. Cabela’s and White River Marine Group)
Founder and CEO who pioneered destination outdoor retail and built North America’s premier fishing and hunting retail and conservation brand.
Website | Founder page | X/Twitter (Company)
Clifton A. Pemble
President & Chief Executive Officer, Garmin Ltd. (Marine, Outdoor)
Software engineer turned chief executive (CEO since 2013) who has led sustained growth across Garmin’s segments, including marine electronics used by anglers worldwide.
Website | Investor relations | LinkedIn (Company)
Bruce Pettet
President & Chief Executive Officer, Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
Optics industry leader and CEO known for keeping riflescope design, machining and assembly in the U.S. and for expanding capacity and recognition across sporting markets.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Adam Putnam
Chief Executive Officer, Ducks Unlimited
Conservation-focused CEO who has led DU to record on‑the‑ground impact, including delivering 1 million acres of wetlands conservation in 2024.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Company)
Matthew J. Reintjes
President & Chief Executive Officer, YETI Holdings, Inc.
President & CEO credited with scaling YETI as a premium global outdoor brand and navigating supply-chain and tariff shifts while expanding into new categories and geographies.
Website | Investor relations | LinkedIn (Company)
Todd W. Seyfert
President & Chief Executive Officer, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Appointed Ruger’s President & CEO effective March 1, 2025, succeeding long‑serving CEO Chris Killoy, bringing deep outdoor and shooting‑sports experience to the role.
Mark P. Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.
Manufacturing and operations veteran who became President & CEO in 2020; continues to drive product innovation and operational flexibility across the iconic hunting and shooting brand.
Website | Investor relations | LinkedIn (Company)
Jason Vanderbrink
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, The Kinetic Group (Federal, Remington, CCI, Speer, HEVI‑Shot)
Chairman & CEO leading the ammunition portfolio post‑acquisition by CSG, adding Fiocchi of America and consolidating shotshell operations in Missouri to strengthen hunting offerings.
Cyrille Viellard
President & Chief Executive Officer, Rapala VMC Corporation
Named President & CEO effective March 7, 2025, to lead the world’s leading fishing‑tackle group, succeeding longtime executive Lars Ollberg.
Website | LinkedIn (Company) | X/Twitter (Brand)
Adam Weatherby
Chief Executive Officer & President, Weatherby, Inc.
Third‑generation leader (President since 2017) credited with relocating Weatherby to Wyoming and expanding the storied hunting‑rifle brand’s modern lineup.
Website | Instagram (Brand) | Contact page
Yozo Shimano
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Shimano Inc. (Fishing Tackle Division and Cycling)
Chairman & CEO of Shimano, overseeing global fishing‑tackle operations alongside the company’s cycling business; part of a leadership team that includes President Taizo Shimano.
Website | Executives (Corporate) | LinkedIn (Company)
Related Topics
Further Reading
Was this page helpful? We'd love your feedback — please email us at feedback@dealstream.com.