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Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence
2009 AWARD NOMINEES
The Award
From the Industry
For the Industry

Honoring Outstanding Achievement
Since 1992

Sponsored by Shooting Industry Magazine

Final Nominations Announced for
2009 Academy of Excellence Awards


Each year an innovative few set new standards of excellence through product design and service to the industry. This marks the 18th year that these outstanding achievements have been formally recognized by industry leaders who, together, form the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence.

Established in 1992, the academy is sponsored by the FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS Magazine, American COP and American Handgunner magazines. However, no one at the publisher is permitted to vote.

The voting power is held exclusively by the academy, which includes industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first in the potential-nominee round and then to determine who will received the awards.

The 2009 award recipients will be announced
Friday, July 24, 2009 • Hartford/Windsor Marriott, Windsor CT

If you'd like to apply for Academy of Excellence membership, click the link below and complete all the information asked for.

Membership Application
 
Accessory of the Year
(Firearm related products: cases, cleaning products, holsters, frames,
mounts, reloading equipment and tools, safes, etc.)
blackhawk BLACKHAWK! SERPA Quick Disconnect System
hornady Hornady Lock-N-Load AP with EZject System
sigsauer SIG SAUER .22 Conversion Kit
Hunting Product of the Year
(Non-firearm products, including
archery, clothing, lures, rangefinders and equipment.)
blackhawk BLACKHAWK! Knoxx Axiom R/F Rifle Stock
bushnell Bushnell BackTrack GPS
shooters Shooters Ridge Deluxe Bi-Pod
 
thermacell ThermaCELL Earth Scent Mosquito Repellent & Cover Scent
Self-Defense Product of the Year
(Flashlights, laser sights, less-lethal sprays and equipment.)
benchmade Benchmade 1100-4 Tactical Pen
crimsontrace Crimson Trace LG-431 Laserguard Model for Ruger LCP
surefire SureFire E2D LED Defender Flashlight
Ammunition of the Year
(Bullets, cartridges, shot shells, powders)
federal Federal Premium 327 Federal Magnum
hornady Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition
winchester Winchester Ammunition Supreme Elite Dual Bond Bullet Design
Optic of the Year
(Scopes, sights, and binoculars)
aimpoint Aimpoint, Inc CompM4 Red-Dot Sight
leupold Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x50mm Riflescope
nikon Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope 3-9x40 w/ BDC Predator Hunting Reticle
 
trijicon Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) Sight
Knife of the Year
(Knives and multi-purpose tools)
benchmade Benchmade 585 Mini-Barrage Folder
buck Buck Knives Model 498RWS-B Ergo Hunter PRO Fixed Blade
sog SOG Specialty Knives Aegis Tanto (Digi Camo) Folder
Safety Product of the Year
(Safes, safety devices, eye and ear protection. )
benchmade Benchmade Houdini AET (Automotive Escape Tool)
blackhawk BLACKHAWK! Small Pry Specialized Entry Tool
gunvault GunVault BreechVault Shotgun Breech Lock
Handgun of the Year
ruger Ruger Ruger LCR
springfield Springfield Armory XD(M) 9mm
taurus Taurus International 3-inch Magnum Judge
Rifle of the Year
fnusa FNH USA SCAR 16S Semi-Automatic
sigsauer SIG SAUER SIG556 Classic Semi-Automatic
smith Smith & Wesson M&P15 - MOE Semi-Automatic
Shotgun of the Year
benelli Benelli USA Performance Shop SuperSport 12 Gauge
browning Browning Maxus Semi-Automatic
 
mossberg O.F. Mossberg & Sons 930 SBX 8 Shot Semi-Automatic 12 Gauge
Citizenship Award
(A company or dealership that most exemplifies the traits of service to the community through contributions, donations or volunteer hours.)
    For proving to be a generous corporate citizen. For holding a fundraiser at SHOT Show 2008 contributing to a soldier’s Battlefield Cross Memorial in Missouri. For supporting the Wounded Warriors Project and Redwing 19 Special Warfare Fund through its annual co-sponsorship and donation of proceeds from the Ft. Meade Long-Range Precision Shooting Competition. For contributing firearms and instructors to the NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape and for contributing an estimated $160,000 worth of guns to the NRA National Police Shooting Championships.
    For years of tremendous support of the shooting sports, gun owners and law enforcement through donations totaling $1,350,000. For donating $675,000 to the USA Shooting Team, making Kimber the largest donor of any firearms company in USA Shooting’s history. For donating $75,000 to the Los Angeles Police Department Memorial, and $600,000 worth of firearms to the NRA.
    For contributing $500,000 to Ducks Unlimited in the past year, and continuing a tradition of giving back, which exceeds $1,000,000 worth of contributions to benefit the shooting sports.
Distributor of the Year
    For taking great pride in serving and supporting the independent retailer for 76 years. For its continued work with manufacturers to develop new and innovative products. For its continued support of industry organizations and its commitment to the future of the shooting sports by working with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, and Youth Shooting Sports Foundation.
    For leading the shooting sports industry with superior customer service, excellent product selection and a dedicated and knowledgeable sales staff. For offering retailers innovative electronic means to grow their businesses, including the first industry virtual trade show which allows dealers to attend a show and take advantage of opportunities without disrupting regular business functions. And for actively working to preserve the future of the industry and being the leader in the NRA’s dealer recruitment program.
    For continuing to show commitment to the shooting sports industry with the development of new technologies and unparalleled capital investment for the trade. Also for its recent completion of a new firearms distribution plan that has brought a new dimension to firearms logistics.
Manufacturer of the Year
    For implementing a progressive dealer program and support system in Premium Partners including new product innovation through FLITECONTROL, 338 Federal, 327 Federal Magnum, Fusion, Black Cloud and the RCBS R.A.S.S. bench. For establishing a leadership position in the shooting sports industry through active involvement in conservation and education programs and services as well as investing in the future of hunting and the shooting sports through 4-H, NSSF and multiple conservation group royalty programs.
    For continuing to be the leader in laser sight technology innovations, bringing more new models to the market to fill the need of civilian consumers and professionals. For becoming the cornerstone for OEM sales in the marketplace with companies such as Smith & Wesson, Kimber, Ruger, Berretta, Nighthawk Custom, Charter Arms and others.
    For continued support of the firearms industry and shooting sports at the highest levels of NSSF, NRA and USA Shooting Teams as well as playing an instrumental role in the NRA’s Insure Your Gun Rights program by promoting industry wide participation. Also for driving business at the dealer level with the constant introduction of new products including M&P and Night Guard series products and for creating the largest consumer, dealer and distributor incentive program in the industry’s history.
Shooting Industry Award
(Individuals who have made valuable contributions to the shooting industry through product design, industry representation or marketing expertise.)
deyoung Mark W. DeYoung,
ATK Commercial Products		     For serving on boards for the NSSF, HSSHF, SAAMI and WMI, and actively promoting youth education programs, including 4-H Shooting Sports. For effectively leading the largest ammunition manufacturing organization in the world to excellence across multiple product lines, with support of U.S. military, war fighters, law enforcement and homeland security with quality ammunition.
         
F. Hewitt Grant, Ellett Brothers     For more than 40 years of dedication to the shooting sports industry as an advocate for gun rights and in establishing Ellett Brothers the leading distributor of shooting, hunting, archery and marine accessories. For supporting the education of legislators in the importance of concealed carry laws through the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus. For his continued involvement with the NRA, The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, and serving as vice-chairman of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers.
         
hodgdon JB Hodgdon, Hodgdon     For over 50 years of dedication to the family business, co-owned by brother, Bob Hodgdon, and serving as its chairman of the board. For his untiring passion for the youth shooting sports and his devoted service on the boards of the Boy Scouts Philmont Ranch and National 4H Shooting programs. For being a long-time member of the NRA, SCI and DU, and for being a committed hunter, reloader, shooter and active member of the North-South Skirmish Association.
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