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Taurus 2011 Defender of Freedom Award
Steve Urvan (holding plaque), of GunBroker.com, accepts the award for Company/Organization of the Year, which was presented to him at the Bonnier Outdoor Group breakfast by SHOT Business editor Slaton White (on Urvan’s left). The staff of GunBroker.com joined Urvan in accepting the award.
SHOT Business Honors Leaders in the Industry
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HOT Business magazine took center stage at the Bonnier Outdoor Group breakfast yesterday morning to honor six industry leaders. The honorees were Retailer of the Year, Richard Sprague, Sprague’s Sports; Distributor of the Year, Lipsey’s; Manufacturer’s Representative of the Year, Mike Gladson, Ruger; Range of the Year, Ed Santos, Center Target Sports; Company/Organization of the Year, Steve Urvan, GunBroker.com; and Person of the Year, David Baron.
The purpose of the SHOT Business Award Program is to acknowledge industry leaders who preserve and promote America’s hunting and shooting heritage. “The winners represent the top of every field,” said Slaton White, editor of SHOT Business. “Every year, the SHOT Business Awards acknowledge leadership in the shooting-sports industry and the communities in which our representatives reside. In addition to—and perhaps more important than—being good in their respective fields,
each of these winners gives back to our industry and to their communities. They are also involved politically, in one way or another, in the all-important fight to bequeath the heritage of our sports to another generation of Americans.” “It is a tremendous honor to be named Company of the Year by SHOT Business magazine in recognition of the service we provide to the gun industry. We would like to thank our customers for helping to make us the number-one website for converting trade-ins, excess or surplus stock, consignments and other inventory into cash for the benefit of the retailer,” said Steve Urvan, president of GunBroker.com “I’m humbled and honored by the recognition,” said Richard Sprague, owner of Sprague Sports. “This is my 32nd straight SHOT Show. As usual, this is a team award—a lot of people have contributed to our success. I’m fortunate to be part of an industry that continues to support what we do, and continues to evolve. I’m also thankful to the NSSF, particularly for being such a great, supportive trade organization. —John Burgman
At the ring of the first bell at SHOT Show today, Bob Morrison, president and CEO of Taurus International, announced that Jim Land is the 2011 Taurus Defender of Freedom Award recipient. “Marine Jim Land, distinguished rifle and pistol marksman, has spent his entire life upholding the constitutional rights we have to be free, to bear arms and to call ourselves Americans,” said Morrison. “In the service, and in his private life, he has served as a model for strong leadership, a sense of duty and a protector of our freedoms. Sharing his exceptional skills as a shooter, he has trained so many of our armed forces to shoot straight, both at the range and in life. His bravery and his resolve have helped to defend our constitution and to preserve our way of life.” Land is secretary of the National Rifle Association. An NRA Benefactor member, Land has served the association in many capacities, including five years as director of the Membership Division. Land also managed the NRA’s grassroots activities as director of Field Services, and served as an NRA field representative. An avid shooter and competitor, Land has won distinguished badges in both rifle and pistol marksmanship, and has set seven national shooting records in competition.
Field & Stream Honors Industry’s Best of the Best
Anthony Licata (right), Field & Stream’s editor, presents Mark Gregory, general manager of Moultrie, with a Best of the Best Award.
Field & Stream presented its 13th annual Best of the Best Awards yesterday at the SHOT Show. “The Field & Stream Best of the Best Awards is one of the most popular issues we publish,” says Field & Stream editor Anthony Licata. “With more innovation than ever in our industry, readers depend on Field & Stream to find and evaluate the truly great products that are available to sportsmen and shooters.” Taking honors this year were the following products: Caesar Guerini Ellipse shotgun; Nosler Model 48 Trophy Grade rifle; Traditions Vortek Ultra Light muzzleloader; Minox Comfort Bridge BL binoculars; Nikon Monarch M-223 riflescope; Polaris Ranger EV ATV; Yamaha Grizzly 450 EPS; Matthews Z7 compound bow; Winchester
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Ballistic Silvertip lead-free varmint ammo and Nosler Custom Trophy Grade varmint lead-free ammo; Federal Premium Black Cloud snow goose shotgun shells; Traditions Smackdown SST muzzleloading bullets; Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter knife; and Tops/Buck Csar-T LinerLock Folder. “Being chosen as best in class is a big honor,” said Matt McPherson, founder and CEO of Matthews, Inc. “I’m thankful to have such a great team at Matthews and one of the top magazines in the industry supporting all of our hard work.” Companies interested in having their products considered for 2011’s Best of the Best should go to fieldandstream.com/bobentry for details and an entry form.