GRINNELL, Iowa (May 3, 2017) – Pete Brownell of Montezuma, Iowa, was elected by the National Rifle Association Board of Directors as President May 1, 2017, following the 146th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta.
An NRA Life Member since birth, Brownell is the Chief Executive Officer of the legendary family-owned firearm and firearm accessory retailer Brownells. He brings a record of leadership, a passion for the outdoors and shooting sports traditions, and vigor to protect and defend the Second Amendment.
Brownell was elected to the NRA Board of Directors in 2010, and has served as Chairman of the Membership Committee, and a member of the Finance, Law Enforcement Assistance, Publications Policies, and Sport Shooting Committees.
Brownell is also former chairman of the Board of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers and a former member of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff Foundation Board. Outside the office, he is an accomplished athlete and avid outdoorsman.
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve the 5 million members of the National Rifle Association of America. I am humbled to serve alongside Wayne LaPierre – the true heart and soul of this Association and to walk in the footsteps of my predecessors,” said Brownell. “I’m a proud NRA member from day one who grew up with a passion for guns, our rich hunting heritage, and a passion to strengthen our Second Amendment.”
Brownells COO/CFO Chad Martin will lead the Brownells family of businesses on a day to day basis, while continuing to work closely with company owners Pete & Frank Brownell.
Congratulations
Don’t know this fella to be a politician. From what I hear, the NRA has gone from the path of their initial mission of defending 2nd Amenent rights. I wish Mr. Brownell the best and with any luck, he will represent the base well.
Pretty sure the initial mission was to promote marksmanship. Politics came later.
Pete’s a great guy. I’m not sure what, actually, the NRA “President” does, but … a good choice nonetheless.
He’s a good pick based on his life-long commitment to the industry. He’ll guide the organization well.
Looks like a very experienced firearms industry guy. And nothing wrong with that…so long as this doesn’t signal the beginning of an expectation, or dynasty, of “industry guys” heading NRA going forward from now on. The strength of the NRA has always rested upon it’s fully-committed, single-issue, grass roots base (despite how oblivious to the NRA’s internal politics the average annual member and the fossilized Elmer Fudd “sportsman” contingent have historical been).
A term or two with an industry guy might be healthy, so long as NRA continues to build a legal and leadership bench and prep the battlefield for the long-term war.
Not good to refute the anti gunners talking point about the NRA being in the hands of the Firearms industry, but I’ll hold judgement for a while to see if any meaningful changes happen at the NRA and how legal challenges go in places like california and ny
Message to the new NRA President: I hope you work on making next years NRA show much better than the one this year in Atlanta. Having been a vendor and spoken to many others, this had to be the worst ever. We, the vendors, spend a lot of time and money on attending. I know very few vendors who sold anything, most nothing. It was like being in a Vegas casino full of people with oxygen tanks and walkers wearing sweat suits. The running joke was the attendees left with, dollar for dollar, more free stuff than they bought. Several vendors, including us, won’t be back next year.
I wish he’d kick LaPierre out of the NRA instead of complimenting him. Once they dump him and the other nuts, I’ll be much more supportive.
I wish him luck, and think these next few years should be interesting; it’ll be harder to fundraise on fear, but easier to get legislation. We will see where there priorities really are.