GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® CEO Dennis Reese is proud to announce the hiring of Russell H. Datson IV as Vice President of Sales. Datson will be working closely in this new role with Peggy Hickenbottom, Vice President of Distribution & Customer Service.

Bringing more than two decades of sales management experience to the position, Datson has held key sales roles within the firearms industry throughout that time. This has included work with companies such as Leatherman Tool Group, the Freedom Group Family of Companies, Liberty Ammunition, LaserMax and more.

Most recently, Datson held the position of Director of Sales & Customer Service with L3 Harris Technologies-EOTech, where he managed commercial, military and law enforcement sales for both the domestic and international markets. In this role, he supervised a team of five national sales managers and 90 independent sales representatives.

“We could not be more proud to have Russ as part of the Springfield Armory team,” says Steve McKelvain, President of Springfield Armory. “The depth of knowledge and experience he brings to this extremely important role no doubt will support and strengthen the company’s continued success.”

Datson combines impressive hands-on experience in sales and sales management, giving him the skillsets necessary to understand both the in-depth nuances as well as the larger strategic goals that are part of his new role as Vice President of Sales. Additionally, his customer service management background gives him a deep understanding of the importance of a positive customer experience.

“Springfield Armory is one of the powerhouse brands of our industry,” says Datson. “I am extremely honored and excited to be part of the talented team of industry professionals assembled by CEO Dennis Reese and company President Steve McKelvain, and I look forward to continuing and enhancing the legacy of the Springfield Armory brand. I am proud to be part of its tradition of bringing high quality, innovative products to our professional users, consumers and retailers.”

About Springfield Armory®

In 1794, the original Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the defense of our young, free Republic. The Armory functioned as a firearms supplier for every major American conflict until 1968 when the government sadly closed its doors. In 1974, nearly two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, Ill. revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy.

We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers. For more information, please visit us at: springfield-armory.com.

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