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Freedom Group, Inc. Creates Office of the Chairman of the Board of Directors
- John Blystone named new Chairman.
- Joined by new Vice Chairman, Walter McLallen, and CEO, Theodore Torbeck.

Freedom Group, Inc. (FGI)

Madison, NC --(Ammoland.com)- Freedom Group, Inc. (the “Company”), an innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition and lifestyle products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement and military end-markets, today announced that on August 11, 2010, its Board of Directors (the “Board”) formed an Office of the Chairman and named John B. Blystone as its new Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Blystone is joined in that office by Walter McLallen, now Vice Chairman, and by Theodore H. Torbeck, Chief Executive Officer. The creation of the office was unanimously approved by the Board.

Mr. Blystone served as Chairman, President and CEO of SPX Corporation in Charlotte, NC from 1995 to 2004. SPX Corporation (NYSE:SPW) is a Fortune 500 multi-industry company that manufactures and markets components, services and technologies to solve critical business issues.

From 1978 to 1988 and again from 1992 to 1995, he served in various positions at General Electric Corporation in Fairfield, Connecticut. Mr. Blystone has extensive experience in the management of diverse businesses in a variety of industries and geographies and has successfully acquired and integrated over thirty different acquisitions for the companies he led.

Mr. Blystone, Chairman of the Board, commented, “I am excited to help direct the growth of Freedom Group, Inc. With the creation of this office, the Company has significantly enhanced its ability to operate with strong governance and to identify, evaluate and pursue a wide range of strategic and operational initiatives. This will enable the Company to fully utilize the talented and capable team it has built to execute on the opportunities created by the combination of our manufacturing, powerful brands, and wide distribution within the outdoor lifestyle industry.”

Mr. McLallen, who will remain on the Board as Vice Chairman of the Board, added, “Each of us brings a distinct and differentiated skill set to our roles in the stewardship of Freedom Group. We are excited to bring those resources to bear as we extend our leadership position across a range of outdoor-related sports and activities for consumers and take full advantage of our opportunities with military and law enforcement customers around the globe.”

Mr. McLallen has served as a director of the Board since May 31, 2007 and served as Chairman of the Board from September 3, 2009 until Mr. Blystone was elected to the position.

Mr. Torbeck, Chief Executive Officer since March 2009, concluded, “I want to personally thank Mr. McLallen for his support and leadership at such a critical and formative time for our Company and as we now look to the future of our business and our brands. We are committed to operating our business consistent with the highest standards in every respect. With this team, we have the ability to apply an intense, simultaneous focus on operational development, capital structure, and a variety of organic and acquisition-related growth opportunities. We look forward to demonstrating our capabilities to the marketplace.”

About Freedom Group, Inc.
Freedom Group is an innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military end-markets. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world of firearms and ammunition, the Company has some of the most globally recognized brands in such end-markets, including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker, EOTAC, Mountain Khakis, AAC, and Dakota. The Company distributes its products throughout the U.S. and in approximately 80 foreign countries. More information about the Company can be found at www.freedom-group.com.

Safe Harbor Language
The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward–looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Help Get Linda Walker On NRA Board of Directors
A personal message from Linda Walker, Central Ohio Chair of Buckeye Firearms Association.

Linda Walker with Ohio's Governor Strickland holding the Castle Doctrine bill that he had just signed into law.

Buckeye Firearms Foundation

Ohio - -(AmmoLand.com)- I’m Linda Walker, Central Ohio Chair of Buckeye Firearms Association, and I’m running for the board of directors of the National Rifle Association.

I have been part of Buckeye Firearm’s leadership team nearly from the beginning of the organization. I have spent a lot of time in the Statehouse fighting for our Second Amendment Rights through both hearings and meetings. I generally attend every hearing for firearms legislation, which has amounted to hundreds of hours in Ohio’s Statehouse.

Part of being on “the team” has entailed attending one-on-one meetings with various State Representatives, Senators and candidates; working on legislation with my fellow leadership team; attended bill signings and Governor’s receptions; attending political events such as legislative receptions, inaugural receptions, political dinners, and fundraisers; assisting on candidate campaigns; organizing BFA events; staffing events, such as gun shows, expos, clay shoots, etc.; shipping, PR., media interviews, writing articles and a wealth of other activities.

I’ve done a lot of media, including NRA News, print, radio, TV, blogs, articles and more. I have spoken at several Tea Parties with up to 10,000 attendees and made various other speeches.

Because of my work with Buckeye Firearms, that led to my involvement with the NRA in various capacities. I became an NRA certified instructor over four years ago in multiple disciplines, and have actively instructed nearly a thousand students in Ohio concealed carry. I am the NRA-EVC (election volunteer coordinator) for the 12th Congressional District and an NRA recruiter. I am also the chairman of the Licking County Friends of the NRA, nearly tripling our attendance in the second year.
I spent nearly a decade as a Den Leader, Cubmaster and troop committee member with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, which I attribute to the beginning of my activism.

I have instructed for the Ohio high school FFA teachers, in teaching them how to run a safe range at FFA summer camps, instructed for Women in the Outdoors events, Dillon Sportsmen’s Club ladies nights, Ohio Writers Conference, and assisted Pickaway Sportsmen’s Club and Big Darby Creek shooting ranges in introducing more women to the sport of IDPA.

The National Rifle Association honored me by awarding me the NRA’s 2009 “Sybil Ludington Women’s Freedom Award.” This is given to one woman on the national level for legislation, advocacy and education. They began this award in 1995, and awarded one each year except for 2008 and 2010.

If elected to the NRA board of directors, my main goal is to get more women involved in the Second Amendment, firearm sports, as certified instructors and also legislation. There is a great need to be filled. The ratio of women who sit on the NRA BOD currently is about 10%.

This is where I need your help!
I need to collect 250 VALID signatures on petitions from voting members of the NRA. From past experience, this is no easy feat. To constitute a voting member, you must be a member of the NRA for five consecutive years without a break or interruption, or a fully-paid Life member or higher.

Click below for the petition. According to NRA rules, it MUST be printed on LEGAL sized paper. The NRA will not accept them on standard sized paper. Also attached is my biography. I will be happy to mail out a petition on legal size paper for those not having legal paper. Just send me an email at LWalker@BuckeyeFirearms.org with your mailing address, and I will drop it in the mail.

If you still have your July edition of an NRA magazine, you will find a nomination form. Any member can fill out and mail in the nomination form. If you could also do me the favor of mailing that in directly to the NRA, I would appreciate it. The following is the information you will need:

Linda Walker
NRA member # 146005210 Age: 50
5779 Lobdell Rd
Alexandria, OH 43001

I thank everyone in advance for any help that you may lend me in signing or circulating petitions and for the moral support. If elected, I promise to work hard for your Second Amendment rights!

Thank you,
Linda Walker

Click here for the petition.

About:
Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots political action committee dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities. Visit: www.BuckeyeFirearms.org

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