In firearms and shooting sports, strategy doesn't determine outcomes – leadership does. The ability to execute under pressure, navigate regulation, and scale through volatility ultimately comes down to people.
After more than 30 years of executive recruiting in this industry, Precise Recruiting Solutions shared insights and reflections on their experience, with one thing clear: talent isn't just about hiring. It's about relationships, timing, and trust built over decades in a tightly connected market.
Much of that perspective was shaped during President of Precise Recruiting Solutions (PRS), Sean Murphy's early career at Management Search, Inc., where he built the foundation of his search practice and many of the relationships that still define his work. In 2020, he and Kelly Bowen founded Precise Recruiting Solutions, allowing them to focus on the firearms, shooting sports, defense, and outdoor sectors.
Relationships Compound
One of the first executives Sean interviewed was Chris Killoy, now the former CEO of Sturm, Ruger & Co. At the time, he was a sales manager at Smith & Wesson, and Sean was recruiting him for a role at O.F. Mossberg & Sons.
He didn't pursue the opportunity, but the relationship stuck. Decades later, that's still how this industry works.
Relationships don't expire – they compound.
PRS has also led senior legal searches during some of the industry's most scrutinized periods. In the late 1990s, while recruiting for O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Sean engaged Steve Sanetti, then General Counsel at Sturm Ruger. He ultimately declined, but the search was completed successfully – and not long after, Steve was featured on 60 Minutes. A reminder of how visible – and high-stakes – leadership is in this industry.
The Conversation Has Shifted
At this year's SHOT Show in Las Vegas, in conversations connected to the Houlihan Lokey cocktail party and professionals aligned with JDH Capital, one theme kept surfacing.
Not valuation. Not product.
Bench strength.
The question was simple: Can these companies execute what they're building?
Across manufacturers, advisors, and investors, the concern is consistent. In an environment defined by consolidation, regulatory pressure, and rapid scaling, bench strength is no longer an HR concept – it's a strategic risk.
The companies that outperform won't just be the ones making acquisitions. They'll be the ones with leadership depth already in place to sustain growth through transition.
Most companies in this industry are strong in product, engineering, and brand. Far fewer are structurally prepared for leadership transitions across finance, legal, operations, and executive roles—and that gap usually becomes visible too late.
Leadership Decisions Happen Off the Record
During a CEO search for Hodgdon Powder, PRS met with the then-CEO, Tom Shepherd, to discuss the role.
Not in a boardroom – but over steaks and bourbon.
The conclusion was clear: the next CEO wouldn't just lead the business – they would need to build bench strength across the organization to ensure long-term continuity.
That's where the real decisions get made. In candid conversations about what an organization needs, not what looks good on paper.
Execution Gaps Show Up Early
PRS is currently working with two $150–$200 million firearms manufacturers as they navigate rapid growth.
The pattern is familiar.
The team placed a Chief Revenue Officer and a Director of R&D – roles that directly addressed execution gaps and stabilized performance during a critical phase.
Because leadership gaps don't start at the top.
They show up in revenue execution, product development, and operational continuity long before they reach the CEO level.
And by the time they're visible at the top, they're already expensive.
Execution Is a Team Sport
This work doesn't happen in isolation.
At Precise Recruiting Solutions, execution is driven by a disciplined, consistent process – and by the ability to manage complex, high-stakes searches with speed and precision. The PRS plan is to be strong at the leadership level and impact as many individuals and companies as possible in an industry they care deeply about.
Kelly Bowen, the Senior Managing Partner at PRS, plays a critical role in that. Her ability to develop, manage, and maintain momentum among stakeholders and to ensure delivery drives PRS to consistently perform at a high level.
The PRS team follows the same principle they advise our clients on: leadership strength is defined by the team's depth and reliability.
Closing Perspective
This industry doesn't lack opportunity. It lacks readiness.
Companies don't rise or fall on strategy documents. They rise or fall on the strength, depth, and readiness of the people executing them.
After three decades in this space, the conclusion is straightforward:
Bench strength is no longer a hiring issue – it's a scaling constraint.
And increasingly, it's what separates companies that operate from those built to lead.
About Precise Recruiting Solutions: Precise Recruiting Solutions (PRS) is a client-focused recruiting and executive search firm with nearly 40 years of experience serving organizations across North America and globally. PRS places high-impact talent at all levels, from key individual contributors to C-suite executives, using a modern, meaningful-engagement recruiting approach. The firm partners with companies ranging from under $10 million in revenue to Fortune 100 organizations and delivers customized search strategies aligned with each client's business objectives. PRS has over three decades of expertise in the firearms, shooting sports and outdoor industries, having worked with many of the sector's most recognized brands. For more information, contact info@precisepeople.com, visit www.precisepeople.com and follow on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Sean Murphy
President, Precise Recruiting Solutions
precisepeople.com
W: 413-366-3885
C: 413-335-5262