MSR Distribution announced that Christopher Thomas has joined their team as Buyer. Christopher has several years’ experience in the defense industry specializing in retail and distribution channels. He is a recent transplant from the Mid-West and now call Las Vegas home.

Says Christopher: “In my experience, I have grown to understand that this market is more than just competitive. My philosophy is to do my best to treat our vendors with the respect I expect as a customer …. I buy with care and manage each brand we bring on as if they were my own.”

Ross Botha, General Manager at MSR, told us: “We are very excited to have Christopher onboard, extensive experience in retail and distribution spheres makes him an asset; not only to MSR, but to our vendors and employees too. He understands the product lines and what it takes to get those into the hands of our customers.”

MSR Distribution is a wholesale distributor that sells hard-to-find and highly sought-after products to licensed retailers and specific qualified entities. Every year, countless dealers trust MSR Distribution to help them grow their businesses by providing great products with reliable margins. Chris will form an integral part of forging sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with vendors. He will play a critical role in developing the MSR vendor experience and sculpting future relationships with them.

www.msrdistribution.com

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) announced today that David Norquist, a former Deputy Secretary of Defense with 30 years of experience in national security and federal financial management, will be the association’s next president and CEO, effective May 1, 2022.

“David’s exemplary experience and stellar reputation make him the ideal leader for NDIA, and the Board and I could not be more pleased to have him join and lead the executive management team,” said NDIA Chairman Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro. “We’ve selected a strong leader at a time of great challenge in the defense marketplace, With his proven experience and

accomplishments in our industry, the legislative branch, and two of the largest, most complex federal government organizations, David is capable from day one to continue enhancing the industry-government relationship that is essential to supporting the warfighter and the taxpayer. He will also continue NDIA’s strong tradition of nonpartisan leadership.”

As Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2021, Mr. Norquist was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Defense Department, including managing the Pentagon’s budget and personnel. He also oversaw efforts to reform the military’s acquisition and accounting practices. Prior to this, he served as Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, making significant progress towards passing a defense-wide clean audit. During the early days of President Joe Biden’s administration, while the Senate considered the nomination of current Secretary Lloyd Austin, Mr. Norquist served as Acting Secretary of Defense and remained as Deputy Secretary of Defense until Dr. Kathleen Hicks was confirmed.

Mr. Norquist began his career as a Presidential Management Fellow and a Program Budget Analyst for the Department of the Army before joining the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense as a professional staff member. From 2002 to 2006, he served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in the Office of the Comptroller. In 2006, former President George W. Bush selected him to be the first Senate-confirmed Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Between his stints in government service, Mr. Norquist was a Partner with Kearney and Company, a certified public accounting firm focused exclusively on the federal government.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve as President and CEO of NDIA,” said Mr. Norquist. “As a nation, one of our core strategic advantages is the innovative character of our defense industrial base. Our long-term national security depends on government effectively capitalizing on that strength and I look forward to assisting in that effort.”

Norquist’s selection came following a thorough and thoughtful search with the support of the executive search firm Russell Reynolds. “We sought a leader with extensive, tested, and proven experience in industry, in the legislative branch and in the executive branch in positions of ever-increasing responsibility and accomplishment,” Punaro said of the search process. “Most importantly, potential CEO candidates had to be committed to NDIA’s high standards of performance and ethical behavior, and have the strategic vision to help our members address current and future challenges in the defense marketplace.”

Executive Vice President James Boozer will serve as acting CEO and President until Mr. Norquist takes over in May.