August 20, 2012 |

Gerald W. "Jerry" Bersett

Bersett, Gerald W. "Jerry", 71. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012.

Bersett graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla in 1965. In 1978, he completed the Executive Development Program at Ohio State University and in 1982 received a Professional Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Missouri Rolla.

Mr. Bersett spent the early part of his career from 1965 to 1982 with Olin Corporation assigned to its Brass Group. In 1982, he was appointed Vice President & General Manager of the Ramset Division of Olin, which was incorporated into the Winchester Group in 1984, at which time Bersett assumed responsibilities as General Manager of Winchester's European Operations. In, 1985, Mr. Bersett was appointed Vice President & General Manager of the Winchester Division of Olin, including responsibility for the world-wide manufacturing and marketing of the Winchester ammunition.

In 1988, he was appointed President of Winchester. After retiring from Winchester in July of 1995, he was appointed President & Chief Operating Officer of Sturm Ruger and elected to the Board of Directors in 1996. In March 1998, he resigned from Surm Ruger.

In April 1998 was named President of Blount's Sporting Equipment Group, which included Federal Cartridge, CCI-Speer, RCBS, Outers & Simmons Optics. In December 2001, Blount Sporting Equipment Group was sold to Alliant Tech Systems & Mr. Bersett retired.

He has served on the Board of Governors of the National Shooting Sports Foundation from 1985 thru 2001, (Chairman from 1992 - 1995), the Board of Directors of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Institute (SAAMI), the Wildlife Management Institute, and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Foundation.