I write my first column as President of the National Rifle Association with both great pride and humility. I’m proud of the enduring spirit of the millions of NRA members who have stood strong with the organization through the challenges of recent years, and I’m equally humbled to be tasked with helping you, as members, advance the organization into a future we can all take pride in. With Doug Hamlin’s reelection as executive vice president and CEO and a new leadership team on the Board of Directors, it’s time to make significant progress.
Before we discuss that future, however, let me briefly introduce myself. I grew up on a farm in rural New Jersey. Consequently, I spent a lot of time in the field with my .22, plinking and chasing groundhogs. I moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania in 1999.
As a founder and successful businessman in industries ranging from high-tech to energy to life sciences, two keys to my success have been surrounding myself with outstanding individuals and building strategic relationships and partnerships. I am passionate about America’s heroes—military and first responders—and I have a strong interest in involving youth, women, minorities and disabled Americans in the shooting sports.
I recently got involved in politics and stay attuned to important issues at both the federal and state levels. I’ve collaborated closely with President Donald Trump’s (R) elections and helped launch several of his initiatives involving sportsmen and women.
We will restore this Association to greatness and fulfill our task of perpetuating American liberty.
My wife and I own Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay, Pa. I’m also a small- and large-game hunter who participates in sporting clays, handgun shooting and extreme-long-range shooting. My sons are avid hunters, and my message to them has always been: “All we have in life is our integrity, and you can destroy it in a minute if you’re not careful.”
Enough about me, though. Let’s talk about you. The strength of any organization lies in its members, and NRA members are among the very best citizens of our country and the backbone of our great association. For far too long, however, past NRA leadership did not do as good of a job as it should have.
The status quo managed to drown you out, leaving your concerns and ideas unheard and unheeded.
That has changed. As we move this great association forward, we will rebuild your trust and ensure that the past errors will never occur again. Your comments, ideas and even complaints will not be ignored; they will strengthen us.
I’m not one to sit around when there’s work to be done. Instead, I jump into any task with both feet, and this new role is no different. After the officer election results were announced, I, along with new First Vice President Mark Vaughan and Second Vice President Rocky Marshall—two honorable businessmen who have the Association’s best interests at heart—immediately created a new vision statement for the NRA Board of Directors. That mission is: “To restore the National Rifle Association as a trusted leader in firearms and hunter education, firearm safety, shooting competitions and constitutional advocacy through transparency, accountability and a renewed commitment to responsible gun ownership.”
In my acceptance speech, I also announced several presidential directives for the initial months of my presidency. Among other things, these include forming a Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) to evaluate the NRA’s operating structure, programs, funding methods and communications; holding monthly informal virtual meetings with the board, as three meetings a year are insufficient to achieve our mission; and creating a Skunk Works-type group to develop cutting-edge solutions for new membership acquisition programs, improve member communications, enhance large donor engagement and leverage information technology for the good of the entire association.
As you are well aware, we are at a pivotal point in our association’s history as we reach out to new members, build on the trust of existing members and provide the gold-standard programs that American gun owners expect. As the nation’s oldest civil- rights organization, the NRA plays a critical role in protecting and advancing freedom in America. With your help, we will restore this association to greatness and fulfill our task of perpetuating American liberty for our children and grandchildren.
I’m keenly aware that actions speak louder than words, which you’ll see as we move forward. Please trust me when I say it’s a new day at the NRA. We’re glad to have each of you along for what will undoubtedly prove to be an exciting journey.
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