Board Members

Jas D. Easton Inc. , Gregory J. Easton: Chairman of the Board

Greg Easton is president of Easton Technical Products Inc. (ETP) in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also a vice president and board member of Jas. D. Easton Inc., the parent company of ETP.

Greg was elected to the ATA Board of Directors in March 2008 and currently serves as a co-vice chair on the Board. This is his second consecutive term as a co-vice chair. As an ATA Board member, Greg also serves on the personnel committee.

After joining Easton in 1989, Greg worked in several capacities before transferring to Hoyt Archery, the bow division of Jas. D. Easton Inc. in November 1996. While at Hoyt he served as vice president of marketing. In November 1997 Greg became director of carbon products at ETP. He was promoted to director of manufacturing in August 2000. Greg became ETP’s president in December 2001.

Greg holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics and a master’s in business administration, both from UCLA. He is an avid bowhunter, and also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, golf and skiing.

Robinson Outdoor Products, Scott Shultz: Co-Vice Chair

Scott Shultz is president/owner of Robinson Outdoors. He was elected in Spring 2012 to serve his first three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors. Soon after, the Board elected him as one of its two vice chairs.

Shultz shot archery competitively - both promotionally and professionally - from 1985 to 1996. He joined Robinson Labs as executive vice president in 1995, and became president in 1998. He acquired the company in 2002 and renamed it Robinson Outdoors.

As president, Shultz sets the vision and strategic direction for his company, and oversees sales, legal matters, banking/finance, product development, innovation and technology, and marketing and manufacturing.

Robinson Outdoors markets a diverse product lineup, including Scent Shield scent-killing sprays and scent products; ScentBlocker, DreamSeason and Bone Collector apparel and/or footwear; and Tree Spider tree-stand safety harnesses.

Throughout the years, Shultz's love for archery, bowhunting and the industry continue to grow. And although he's a longtime manufacturer, he believes grassroots independent archery shops remain the industry's backbone.

"We all must work together to create special opportunities for each other's benefit and success," Shultz said. "Everyone has to trust and support the ATA in order to create and present vital opportunities for our industry."

T.R.U. Ball Release Products, Benjamin Summers: Co-Vice Chair

Benjamin Summers serves as the director of operations for T.R.U. Ball Release Products in Madison Heights, Va. He was elected to his second term on the ATA Board of Directors in March 2009, after winning his first election to the post in March 2006.

Ben has a deep interest in politics and government, and serves on the Board’s international relations committee. He also serves on the Board’s government affairs committee and makes frequent trips to the nation’s capital to work with lawmakers on issues that affect the archery industry. In addition, Ben serves on the community archery programs committee.

As T.R.U. Ball’s director of operations, Ben is responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations, which includes overseeing parts manufacturing, assembly and logistics. He also directs the marketing department’s creative work, and represents the company at tournaments and sales meetings.

Ben has worked at T.R.U. Ball for about 14 years and recently added AXCEL Sights to the company’s product line-up. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Liberty University, and a master’s of business administration from Lynchburg College in Virginia.

Mike Wieck Sales Inc., Kurt Bassuener

Kurt Bassuener is a vice president of marketing for Mike Wieck Sales Inc., and he has served on the ATA Board of Directors since April 2007.

Kurt is a Wisconsin native, and grew up in a household that revolved around hunting, fishing and trapping. His love for archery, bowhunting and outdoor recreation led him to pursue a degree in marketing. In 1989 he started his career in the industry as a manufacturers sales rep for a rep agency in Michigan.

Kurt moved to Missouri 18 years ago to join Mike Wieck Sales Inc., one of the oldest rep agencies in the archery industry. As its VP of marketing, Kurt oversees several national accounts while also servicing independent retailers in Missouri. In that role he also keeps a close eye on market and product trends, and assists manufacturers with their marketing and product-development efforts.

He is especially interested in recruiting and retaining new archers and bowhunters, and increasing participation in the ATA Trade Show. He chairs the Board’s trade show committee.

Bohning Co., Scott M. Billsby

 Scott Billsby has been vice president of finance and supply chain for the Bohning Company LTD since 2009. He joined the ATA Board of Directors in 2012, filling in for Bohning president Larry Griffith. He was elected to the Board in March 2013 and will serve until March 31, 2016. The March election marked Scott's first candidacy for the Board.

Scott joined Bohning in 2007 and served as its finance manager until his promotion in 2009. Bohning was a founding member of the Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization, and Scott plans to continue the company's commitment to expanding the archery and bowhunting markets.

Scott has been active in the ATA since April 2011 and serves as chairman of the ATA's finance committee. In that role, he wants to help the ATA secure future revenue streams that fund the many archery and bowhunting promotional programs ATA launched the past decade. "I think we can accomplish that by maintaining the stability of the ATA Trade Show and/or developing new sources of revenues," Scott said.

To that end, he wants the ATA Trade Show to remain the premier location for dealer sales nationwide. "The ATA must determine the best course for retaining the ATA Show as the leading destination for archery dealers," he said. "We need to address and remove divisions in the industry that bar the cooperation we need for industry growth."

Black Gold Inc., Mike P. Ellig

Mike Ellig is president of Black Gold Inc., and was elected in Spring 2011 to his first three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors. He has worked in the archery industry more than 25 years, including seven years as the owner/operator of a pro shop.

While running his shop, he put his engineering degree to work by easing into the manufacturing side of the industry. As his products gained popularity, Ellig sold his pro shop to concentrate on manufacturing rests, sights, bow quivers and other accessories. Black Gold also builds products for other manufacturers.

Ellig has been a bowhunter education instructor for 30 years. He is a life member of the Montana Bowhunters Association, and a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International, National Rifle Association and several local outdoor groups.

Ellig first became involved in the ATA in 2000 by traveling to Washington, D.C., to lobby for reductions in federal excise taxes on archery accessories. He also took part in Board discussions regarding crossbow use. Ellig says it's important to make sure the excise tax on archery equipment is fair when compared to taxes paid by other shooting sports manufacturers.

"As a Board member, I listen to dealers and manufacturers about their concerns, and try to focus on problems where the ATA can make a difference," Ellig said. "We need to do all we can to grow archery. When our sports grow, everyone wins."

Midwest Cimmarron Archery, Peter Gussie

Peter Gussie has been at Midwest Cimmarron Archery in Richmond, Ill., since this family-run, archery-only store opened in 1993. Gussie represents the ATA Dealers Council on the ATA’s Board of Directors, and he also serves as chair of the Dealers Council.  He also serves on the Board's trade show, international relations, government affairs, and community archery program committees.

Midwest Cimmarron Archery employs Gussie and his parents full-time. It covers about 4,000 square feet, with about half used for an indoors range and half for the store’s sales floor. The operation also includes an outdoor 3D range laid out on 23 acres, and a static range with targets from 20 to 80 yards.

Gussie has been on the ATA’s Dealer Council since January 2001. The Council elected him to represent the group on the ATA Board starting in 2002, the same year they elected him as the Council’s vice-chair. He became the Council’s chair in 2008.

Gussie began working for Cimmarron Archery after graduating from McHenry County College in nearby Crystal Lake, Ill., in the early 1990s.

He said his priorities on the Dealers Council and ATA Board are to work with other ATA members to try to grow the industry. He explores every opportunity to bring more people into archery and make dealers more profitable.

Feradyne Outdoors, Rich Krause

Rich Krause, CEO of Feradyne Outdoors (owners of Muzzy Products Corp.) has served on the ATA Board of Directors since his company acquired Muzzy in June 2012.

Rich assumed the ATA Board seat from Michele Eichler, former Board chair and Muzzy CEO. He won re-election to the ATA Board in March 2013 during the organization's annual balloting. His term expires March 31, 2016.

As a Board member, Rich promises to work diligently to promote archery and bowhunting; and identify, define and understand trends that can increase business and consumer participation to grow the industry.

Rich also wants to help leverage the enthusiasm youths are expressing for archery because of recent books, movies and TV shows that feature archery. He also hopes to work closely with industry members to grow the sport and identify ways the ATA can bring them even more value.

Rich said one way to boost the sport's and industry's value is by partnering with state agencies to eliminate antiquated restrictions on archery hunting equipment.

BowTech, Mark Pezzoni

Mark Pezzoni is the President of BowTech Archery, a company which designs, manufactures, and sells industry leading innovative archery products. He is a Pennsylvania native who received his B.A. from St. Vincent College and his M.B.A. from St. Bonaventure.

Mark resigned his position as President of the Power and Specialty Tools Group of Snap-on Tools, in order to be part of an industry involved with one of his outdoor passions - archery hunting. His 13 year career with Snap-on included responsibilities of managing manufacturing facilities in four states, as well as sales offices in both Germany and Great Britain. His early career spanned a diverse group of companies and industries including industrial products, advertising services, and oil and gas exploration.

Mark's accomplishments include the oversight of businesses that have produced award winning products, leading marketing teams that manage world renowned brands, and implementation of LEAN manufacturing cultures that have been recognized by the coveted Shingo Prize.

Archery Headquarters, Randy Phillips

Randy Phillips has owned and operated Archery Headquarters in Chandler, Ariz., since 1989. He started his archery career four years earlier with Arizona E-Z Fletch, which remains part of his overall operation called Arizona Rim Country Products.

Phillips has served on the ATA’s Dealer Council since about 1995. He was elected by his fellow Council members to represent them on the ATA Board of Directors in June 2006. Randy now serves on the Board's community archery program and trade show committees.

Archery Headquarters is an archery-only retail store that covers 7,000 square feet. The store employs four people full-time, and Phillips’ wife Gladys works there part-time. Before beginning his archery career, Phillips worked in construction.

As a member of the ATA Board and Dealers Council, Phillips actively promotes in-school and after-school archery programs. He focuses much of his effort in youth activities, including a recent initiative to develop a traveling team. Phillips also stays active in the Arizona Bowhunters Association, working with the state’s game-and-fish agency to promote bowhunting programs whenever possible.

Primos Hunting Calls, Jimmy Primos

Jimmy Primos has been the chief operating officer of Primos Hunting Calls since 1986. He has represented the company on the ATA Board of Directors since 2008, and the company began serving on the Board in 2007 when Brad Webb was elected to the seat.

Jimmy graduated from Ole Miss University in 1969, served as an officer in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, and worked as a broker for Merrill Lynch before joining Primos Hunting Calls.

The company, which he operates with his cousin Will, is based in Flora, Miss., is widely known for its turkey, deer, elk and waterfowl calls. Primos Hunting Calls has also won acclaim for its “TRUTH” DVD series, as well as its TV shows “Primos TRUTH About Hunting” and “Primos TRUTH About Whitetails” on the Outdoor Channel.

In addition, the Primos company recently ventured into the ground-blind business with the Primos Double Bull and Primos Ground Max lines, as well as the scent-elimination category with Primos Silver XP.

Precision Shooting Equipment, Jonathan Shepley

Jonathan Shepley, president of Precision Shooting Equipment Inc. (PSE), was elected to the ATA Board of Directors in March 2013 during his first Board candidacy. His term expires March 31, 2016. PSE has been an ATA member since the company's inception in 1971. Today PSE is one of the world's leading bow and crossbow manufacturers.

Shepley's election returns PSE to the ATA Board for the first time since 2009, when his father, Pete, served. "In today's marketplace, we must promote archery and its associated high-tech equipment," Jonathan said. "With the huge success of archery products in the media today, we must capitalize on that positive exposure to promote hunting and competitive archery products."

Jonathan began working at PSE in 1992 while in high school. In 2005 he became PSE's vice president of sales and marketing, and then was promoted to president in 2011. As president of PSE, Jonathan is responsible for all operations, including production, marketing, sales, budgeting and product development. He's also responsible for establishing the company's strategic direction, vision and goals.

Jonathan believes the ATA must help promote bowhunting for recreation and big-game management. "We have to keep working together to ensure the ATA can help state fish and wildlife departments with their missions," he said. "We're in this together." 

Archery Headquarters, Marty Stubstad

Marty Stubstad has owned and operated Archery Headquarters in Rochester, Minn., since 1976, and learned the craft by working in his parents' archery store. Marty represents the ATA Dealers Council on the ATA's Board of Directors. Marty also serves as president of the Archery Range and Retailers Organization (ARRO). He joined ARRO in 2000, became its vice president in 2007 and then president in 2013.

Archery Headquarters covers about 7,500 square feet and includes 14 shooting lanes and a DART System range. Marty employs one full-time archery pro, and keeps his store open every day of the week, including six nights for archery leagues.

After graduating college in 1976, Marty ran Archery Headquarters while also working full-time as a special education teacher. He retired from special-education teaching in 1989, but continued teaching archery to this day. He has been a certified instructor with the Minnesota Bowhunter Education Program instructor for more than 30 years, and has helped steer hundreds of youths into bowhunting.

Marty said his priorities on the Dealers Council and ATA Board of Directors are to work with other ATA members to grow the industry and make archery shops more profitable. Meanwhile, he plans to stay active promoting archery near home by working with schools, Scouts and other community-based organizations.

"The best investments you can make are with your customers and your community," Marty said. "I believe in volunteering to help NASP and fund-raising banquets for cancer research and other good causes. It's important to build strong relationships close to home."

Gateway Feathers LLC, Todd Vaaler

Todd Vaaler, director of operations for Gateway Feathers in Douglas, Ariz., is the third generation of the Vaaler family to work for Gateway, which was launched in 1956 at La Crosse, Wis., by Todd's grandfather Orval, and continued with Todd's father, Richard.

Todd previously served two terms on the ATA Board, 2002-2005 and 2005-2008. He was reappointed to the Board in March 2010 to serve out the remaining term of Pete Shepley, president of Precision Shooting Equipment, who vacated the seat in early 2010. Todd's term expires March 31, 2012.

Todd joined Gateway after working for Northwest Airlines from 1989 to 1994. He worked as Gateway's production manager from 1994 to 1998, and then became its sales and marketing manager from 1998 to 2001. He has been director of operations since 2001. He moved half the business from Wisconsin to Arizona in 1994 and brought the rest of it there in 1998.

Todd graduated from Winona State University in Minnesota in 1989. He is married and has two children. He is a lifelong archer and bowhunter, and also coaches youth basketball and stays involved in his children's activities.

Wildgame Innovations, Mike Walston

Mike Walston is the chief operating officer of Synergy Outdoors who owns Wildgame Innovations, Barnett Crossbows and several other archery and bowhunting industry companies. Mike began his three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors in April 2009.  As an ATA Board member, Mike also serves on the government affairs, trade show and community archery program committees.

Walston is in charge of day-to-day operations, sales, marketing, budgeting, contracts, legal matters and customer service for its five companies. He has worked in the archery industry 10 years.

Mike feels honored to have been selected to the ATA Board, and he vows to contribute his help and expertise wherever it’s needed. He said the ATA has established an impressive track record during this decade, and he hopes to increase member participation further in the years ahead.

Mike lives in Washington, Ill., with Cindy, his wife of 20 years; and their daughter, Taylor, age 17.

Hot Shot Manufacturing, David White

David White, president and CEO of Hot Shot Manufacturing, has served those roles with his company since buying it in 2004 when it was called Cajun Archery.

Before acquiring the company, David spent 12 years in the automotive industry, working in operations, purchasing, warehouse management, lean manufacturing and program management. David also spent five years on active duty in the U.S. Navy and four years in the Naval Reserve. He served aboard submarines and was also a diver.

David previously served on the ATA Board from 2008 to 2010. He was appointed to the Board in 2013 to fill a vacancy, and will serve through March 31, 2014. David has been a longtime ATA supporter, and frequently works on issues regarding government regulations and taxation.

He invests much of his time and effort into growing archery by increasing youth participation. He thinks archery's future depends on making archery accessible to youngsters as they complete school programs and look for ways to keep enjoying archery. His goal is to keep working with dealers and manufacturers through the ATA to turn that youthful enthusiasm into a "sport for life."

David believes ATA members are the "Main Street" businesses that drive the industry's economy. "The issues that affect other small companies in this economy affect everyone," he said. "We must demonstrate the value of archery as a management and revenue tool for state wildlife agencies. Those agencies need archery and we need them if we're going to grow our sports."