Fort Smith, Arkansas (July 13, 2021)—Umarex USA, Inc., an innovator in air powered pistols and rifles, optics, and lights for the outdoorsman and sport shooting enthusiasts announced today that the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed current company president Richard Turner, as its President and Chief Executive Officer.
The appointment of Turner is part of a long-term strategic transition plan that names outgoing CEO, Adam Blalock, as Chairman of the Board for Umarex USA, Inc. Blalock is currently and will remain the President and CEO of Walther Arms, Inc. and Walther Manufacturing, Inc. Umarex USA, Walther Arms, and Walther Manufacturing are part of the Umarex Group of companies with headquarters in Arnsberg Germany. All three privately-owned U.S. corporations share a business complex located in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
“Richard has been instrumental in the rapid and sustained growth of Umarex USA. He is well qualified to lead the company as CEO,” said Adam Blalock, Umarex USA’s Chairman of the Board. “Richard understands our market space and is strong strategically. He has genuine gratitude for the contributions of others and his leadership style includes having fun. I’m more than excited for the future of Umarex USA under the leadership of Richard Turner.”
The newly appointed CEO, Richard Turner, was announced as Umarex USA’s president on March 9th, 2017. Prior to becoming company president Turner served as vice president of sales & marketing since 2006. During its first 15 years in business, he hasdirectly contributed to and successfully guided the strategic expansion of the company’s product portfolio and sales growth. While almost all of Turner’s career has been in consumer products, he has spent the past 20 years in senior management roles within the outdoor and shooting sports industry including time with PRADCO Outdoor Brands and Russell Outdoors/Mossy Oak Apparel. Turner holds an undergraduate degree in marketing from Birmingham Southern College as well as an MBA from University of Alabama-Birmingham and serves on the Board of Directors of the Airgun Sporting Association.
“I am exceptionally grateful for the opportunity and the trust of the board to lead Umarex USA as its CEO,” said Richard Turner. “My time with the company has been very rewarding primarily because of our talented and committed Umarex team, along with both our exceptional customers and external business partners who like us are ultimately focused on providing for the needs of our consumer. I am tremendously excited about our combined continued efforts that will lead Umarex USA into our next phase of growth.”
About UMAREX USA
Umarex USA, Incorporated is one of North America’s fastest growing family-owned outdoor sport and recreation companies. Umarex USA innovates, develops and markets products under brands owned or licensed by its parent company, UMAREX GmbH & Co. KG. Such brands include Axeon® Optics, Beretta®, Browning®, Colt®, Elite Force® Airsoft, Exude™ Lights, GLOCK®, Heckler & Koch®, Hornady®, IWI®, REKT®, Ruger®, RWS®, Smith & Wesson®, T4E™, UMAREX®, Walther® and others. For additional information regarding Umarex USA visit UmarexUSA.info.