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Archive for the ‘Armor’ Category

Armor Express Expands Leadership Team with the Additions of Lushana Offutt, Senior Vice President, Government Operations and Rick Dressler, Vice President, Federal Operations

Thursday, July 11th, 2019

Dave Herbener, Founder and Former CEO of KDH Defense Systems Joins Board of Directors

CENTRAL LAKE, MI – July 11, 2019 – Armor Express, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance protective solutions for the Domestic and Federal Law Enforcement markets, Department of Defense and First Responders, today announced two strategic hires – Lushana Offutt, Senior Vice President, Government Operations and Rick Dressler, Vice President, Federal Operations – as the Company continues to build out its leadership team.

 

Jim Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Armor Express commented, “The additions of Lushana and Rick to our team are significant, especially as we grow our business with the U.S. Government and with the major contract opportunities on the horizon. Both have vast experience, knowledge and relationships across government and industry that will serve our organization and customers well. They have overseen multi-billion-dollar contracts throughout their careers and understand customer needs, which was critical in our selection process. We are excited to have Lushana and Rick onboard and look forward to working with our partners as we continue to expand our life-saving capabilities.”

 

The Company is pleased to welcome its new Head of Government Operations, Lushana Offutt, who brings over 20 years of defense and federal sector experience. Most recently, Ms. Offutt served as Senior Vice President, Operations at ADS Inc., a leading provider of equipment, procurement, logistics, and supply chain solutions to the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as federal, state and local agencies. She helped develop the business strategy, while overseeing all support functions including proposal development, contract administration, information technology, purchasing, inventory, and logistics. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President, Strategy, leading business development and capture management initiatives. She joined ADS in 2008 as Vice President, Program Business Development and served later as Vice President, Air Force, Army and International Sales. Earlier in her career, she held various positions with SYColeman Corporation, L3 Communications and NISH.

 

Also joining Armor Express as its new Vice President, Federal Operations is Rick Dressler, a seasoned professional in the Defense and Federal Law Enforcement industries. Mr. Dressler brings to the Company close to 30 years of special operations and management experience, having served in various senior roles for the U.S. Army; U.S. Air Force Reserve; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and on Capitol Hill. Prior to joining Armor Express, his most recent roles were that of Supervisory Special Agent and Program Manager at the ATF’s headquarters in Washington D.C. He also served as a Special Agent (Lt. Col.) in the Air Force Reserve, Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI).

 

Ms. Offutt will be responsible for overseeing the Company’s Military, Federal and International operations, including contracts, programs, proposals, sales and business strategy, working closely with the operational teams in Eden, NC and externally with all customers. She will be based in the Company’s new headquarters in Arlington, VA, and initially spend time at the Eden, NC facility where the majority of contracts are being produced for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy Security Forces, and various Federal customers. Mr. Dressler will spearhead program and contract management, sales, sales support, and customer service for all Federal accounts and future business opportunities. He too, will be based in the Arlington, VA office.

 

Lushana Offutt added, “I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to have worked in such great companies that were all focused on servicing the needs of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day. I now look forward to working with the Armor Express and KDH teams to leverage the experience I’ve gained across all facets of operations, program management and sales to not only help the Company grow but help support our customers. The customer always comes first and that was a shared vision that attracted me to Armor Express. We have a great team in place, one that is expanding, and a product assortment and commitment to innovation that makes me confident in our ability to increase our share of market and deliver the best and safest products to our customers.”

 

Mr. Dressler added, “I’ve spent my career serving our country, in both the Military and Federal Government, and I have worn and sourced our products in the field. They are second to none and continue to evolve as new technologies come to market and as we gain insight from customers around the world. Every agency has different needs and part of my former responsibilities was harnessing the right resources and equipment to ensure Agents, Officers and Military personnel were safe. I look forward to utilizing my past experiences and relationships to improve our customer offering and service capabilities. The need for protection has never been greater and I believe we have the resources and drive to deliver exactly what our customers need.”

 

The Company also announced today that David Herbener, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of KDH Defense Systems has joined the Company’s Board of Directors. This follows the most recent appointment of Sam White to the Board, a highly respected and seasoned executive from the body armor industry.

Redpath Notions Ahegao Plate Carrier

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

Now here’s something you don’t see every day.

Jesse Redpath is making these carriers from a rather unorthodox pattern. Once you know the story behind the vest, it makes sense.

The idea came from a /k/ thread. This /k/arrier uses a combination of 500D Cordura and nylon with a ahegao print.

Foam padding is used on the user-facing side of the platebags for increased user comfort. Shoulder strap placement has been changed to be even wider for decreased neck discomfort along with ITW G-hooks being used in place of the conventional sewn in shoulder straps, allowing for servicing and customization of the straps. The front platebag includes a removable kangaroo placard attached by two QASM buckles. The kangaroo placard is lined with hook and loop to allow the insertion of magazine retention inserts. Also included with the carrier is a elastic cummerbund with magazine carrying capacity (3 magazines per side). The magazine slots on the cummerbund are sized to accept both 7.62 and 5.56 magazines.

Get yours at his Etsy shop.

AXL Advanced – Crye AVS Upgrades

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019

AXL Advanced offers after market enhancements for popular load carriage systems. For example, they make multiple upgrades for the Crye Precision Adaptive Vest System.

They do things like the Hot Swap 3-Band Skeletal™ Cummerbund Adapter which allows you to use FirstSpear Tubes with your AVS.

It modifies the Crye 3-band Skeletal™ Cummerbund to allow for fast donning and doffing as well as rapid configuration.

www.axladvanced.com

Atlas 46 – Knee Pads + Shin Protection

Friday, June 28th, 2019

Based on the same construction technology of their Knee Pads, Atlas 46 has introduced combined Knee Pads + Shin Protection.

Made with Hypalon non-slip outer material and impact resistant closed cell foam padding. Wide back straps are angled to avoid slippage and remain comfortable.

Made in USA.

atlas46.com

Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. Awarded Lightweight Body Armor Insert Contract by the United States Marine Corps Systems Command

Tuesday, June 25th, 2019

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., June 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. has been awarded a $215.9 million USD body armor contract by the United States Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM). The Marine Corps Low Intensity Threat Environment (LITE) body armor insert is a new small arms protective insert that is designed to improve the survivability and mobility of Marines by maximizing ballistic protection at a reduced weight.

“We are honored to be selected by the United State Marine Corps to provide this new lightweight body armor solution. Reducing Marine burden by providing innovative and lightweight armor solutions along with our high quality manufacturing capabilities is our expertise.” said Brian Kopan, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Technology. “Whether we are designing armor systems for vehicles or individual protection equipment, our mission is always focused on saving the life of those that protect us.”

For over 43 years, Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. has been the industry’s leading innovator of advanced products and designs engineered to maximize ballistic protection. The Company has shipped millions of body armor solutions to America’s service men and women, law enforcement professionals, corrections officers, Federal agents, and other key national and international customers. Point Blank will be exhibiting the full range of armor systems at this year’s AUSA Annual Meeting and Symposium in Washington, D.C. 14-16 October 2019.

www.pointblankenterprises.com

APTUM Plate Carrier – Beez Combat Systems

Tuesday, June 25th, 2019

The APTUM™ is an adaptable plate carrier system designed for multi-faceted operations for Military, Law Enforcement and the Responsible Citizen. The carrier is highly scalable and can be configured for low vis operations up to high threat.

The front panel design emphasis was on comms/data/PTT attachment points and cable management

The Plate carrier has multiple cummerbund options and accessories. The APTUM™ system will continually evolve to meet user demands.

Available in Multicam, Coyote, Black, and Ranger Green.
www.beezcombatsystems.com

APTUM™ Plate Carrier – www.beezcombatsystems.com/APTUM

Tactical Products Group Executives Sentenced for Selling Faulty Armor To US Government

Monday, June 24th, 2019

In February of this year, Tactical Products Group, LLC (TPG) CEO Dan Thomas Lounsbury, Jr and Vice President for Sales and Federal Contracting Andres Lopez-Munoz we’re found guilty in the Eastern District of Virginia on charges of conspiracy, making false claims on the United States government, and wire fraud.

In 2012 the two relabeled hard armor plates certified for a different threat or were out of their service life in order to fulfill a contract.

The supplied plates were provided to Triple Canopy to fulfill a contract. Reportedly, the plates supplied were known to delaminate. Furthermore, four of the 10 plates supplied were six years out of warranty. Amazingly, the value of the contract is said to be just $3,500.

Last week they were sentenced. Although they both were facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and federal prosecutors requested three year sentences, the judge sentenced Lounsbury, aged 50, to 10 months in prison and Lopez-Munoz, aged 35, to four months.

They have also agreed to repay the government for the faulty plates.

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Non Stocking Non Standard Vest

Friday, June 21st, 2019

Today we are getting the first look at a small government overrun of unique plate carriers FirstSpear has added to their Non-Standard Non-Stocking section. Developed around specific end user requirements this is a full featured plate carrier with FirstSpear Tubes quick release buckles and FirstSpear 6/12 laser cut platform with low profile shoulder straps. The front and back body are built with a hydrophobic 6/12 laser cut hypalon matched up with a 500D overlap cummerbund. Swimmer cut plate bag has been gusseted to fit thicker cut plates like the 3TSA. Made in the USA.

Non-Stocking Non-Standard items were built at the request of FirstSpear professional users and contract overruns. 100% 1st quality goods. Colors, sizes, and quantities are limited. When they are gone they are gone, No back-orders will be filled. No Returns No Exchanges.

www.first-spear.com/non-stocking-non-standard/3tsa-maritime-swimmer