MADISON, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- Freedom Group, Inc. (FGI) has announced the appointment of Col. Otto Weigl (USMC, ret.) as Senior Vice President for Government Affairs.
Weigl, who for many years served as a senior government and military consultant to FGI, will now be responsible for the strategic direction and goals of the Freedom Group Government Relations Department.
He will develop and implement the organization’s political engagement strategy with federal, state and local elected officials, regulatory agencies and key policymakers.
“Freedom Group is proud to have Col. Weigl, whose accomplishments as a Marine Officer and business executive are exceptional, lead our Government Relations team,” said George Kollitides, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FGI.
“Col. Weigl was critical in developing our Military division, developing the key strategies for our reemergence into this vital market. In his new role, Col. Weigl will further cultivate the strong multi-state government relations practice he helped engineer – an effort that built our Company infrastructure with commercial, military and foreign customer sales.”
Prior to his work with FGI, Weigl spent four years at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) where he provided a wide-range of technical oversight and tactical guidance to DARPA program managers. In this capacity he identified and developed new technologies to meet critical high value/top-line capabilities for both military and commercial markets. He also served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, managing the budget and daily operations of 400 policy desk officers and other Department of Defense employees. Prior to serving in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Col. Weigl was the Senior Aide de Camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
“Col. Weigl is an important addition to the FGI leadership team,” said Scott Blackwell, President of FGI. “As an FGI senior advisor, Col. Weigl increased the staffing and professional capabilities of the FGI military products division and encouraged Research and Development at every turn. His work was particularly important in bringing many of our firearms in line with Department of Defense and Foreign Military Sales opportunities.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity,” said Weigl. “I look forward to representing the organization to our elected officials and policymakers and advising the Company’s leadership on political and military matters affecting our day-to-day and long term operations.”
About Freedom Group, Inc.
Freedom Group is the world’s leading innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military markets. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world of firearms and ammunition, we have some of the most globally recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, Barnes Bullets, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker, Mountain Khakis, AAC, PARA USA, and Dakota. The Company distributes its products throughout the U.S. and in over 80 foreign countries. More information about the Company can be found at www.freedom-group.com.