Scott Alread, product manager at Bear Archery, was elected to his second three-year term on the 15-member ATA Board during this winter’s elections, and he will be joined by three new directors: Peter Crawford, G5 Outdoors’ national sales manager; Ben Summers, T.R.U. Ball Release Product’s director of marketing; and Paul Vaicunas, Horton Manufacturing’s vice-president of sales and marketing.

The terms for all four directors begin April 1 and expire March 31, 2009.

The board’s fourth new member is Randy Phillips of Archery Headquarters Inc. in Chandler, Ariz., who won the Board seat with his election as chair of the ATA’s Dealers’ Council.

Stepping down from the ATA Board on Friday, March 31, are Erik Watts, CEO of Easton-Hoyt LLC; Steven Sims, president/CEO of Sims Vibration Laboratory; and Randy Walk, president of Hoyt Inc.

 Other candidates taking part in the ATA Board election were David Coldwell, vice president of sales and marketing for Grim Reaper Broadheads Inc.; Bob Eastman, president of Gorilla Inc.; Bernie Pellerite, president of Robinhood Video Productions; and Douglas Springer, president of Copper John Corp.

 “The ATA Board lost the services of three great leaders in Erik Watts, Steve Sims and Randy Walk, and we’ll miss their valuable help and input,” said Jay McAninch, CEO/president of the Archery Trade Association. “This election, though, shows the depth and talent of the archery industry. We’re pleased and feel fortunate to welcome back Scott Alread, and we’re looking forward to working with Peter Crawford, Ben Summers and Paul Vaicunas. They’re dedicated people whose hearts, minds and backbones are committed to growing archery and making it a mainstream sport in the United States.”

 

Scott Alread

Scott Alread stresses the importance of getting more youths active in archery. “To do that, we must increase our involvement community by community,” he said. “Our sport’s survival rests on the shoulders of our youths, dealers and distributors. We can grow if we work together to involve all parties in community programs dedicated to youth archery. We must also grow bowhunting, which means educating the public about our sport.”

 

Peter Crawford

Crawford shares those goals, and wants to promote dialogue between all companies to reduce the fights and lawsuits plaguing the industry. “I want to provide a fresh, new look at some existing challenges as well as unforeseen challenges to come,” he said. “I want bowhunting and target shooting to be fun and exciting for everyone. We need to recruit new archers, maintain current archers, reduce lawsuits within the industry, and reasonably protect all people and manufacturers who want to participate in archery business.”

 

Ben Summers

Summers wants the industry to expand school-archery programs, and find more ways to recruit young adults and experienced gun hunters into archery. “I’d also like to seek formal partnerships with groups like the National Rifle Association and Safari Club International to expand our hunting rights and influence in Congress and at the state level,” he said. “We must also continue to oppose animal rights organizations at the federal and state levels and in the courtroom.”

 

Paul Vaicunas

Vaicunas said the industry must find ways to provide more access to shooting ranges and quality archery instruction in urban areas. “Access to archery must be an industry priority,” he said. “The ATA can’t do it alone. Our industry needs to explore new marketing partnerships, possibly with companies like Ford, Chevy and Pennzoil.”

 

Randy Phillips

Phillips said it’s important for dealers to get more involved in their communities. “Growing archery requires everyone to be involved, which means dealers too,” he said. “Whether it’s volunteering at nearby schools, 4-H clubs or city rec programs, archery dealers must make themselves known to their neighbors. The better we’re known, the more likely people will try archery and make it a lifelong activity. Once they start, and they know where to find an archery shop, we can convert them into long-term customers.”

 The ATA Board will vote April 5 to elect its executive committee, which consists of a chair and two vice-chairs. The results will be announced April 18. Watts served the past year as chair, and his vice-chairs were Laverne Woock, president/CEO of Delta Industries; and Todd Vaaler, director of operations at Gateway Feathers.