Pete Brownell
Peter Royce Brownell (born 1969) is an American businessman. He is the CEO of Brownells, a supplier of firearm accessories, ammunition and supplies based in Grinnell, Iowa. He is also co-chair and CEO of Brownell's parent company, 2nd Adventure Group.[1]
Peter Brownell | |
---|---|
President of the National Rifle Association | |
In office 2017–2018 | |
Preceded by | Allan D. Cors |
Succeeded by | Oliver North |
Personal details | |
Born | 1969 |
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | University of Iowa |
Occupation | Businessman |
Brownell is well known in his community as a philanthropist. He has supported numerous causes such as renovating a public library, arts programs, building a skate park, planting a community garden, a robotics program at a local high school, a community education program at Grinnell College, and a new emergency center at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center.[2][3]
Brownell attended the University of Iowa. He earned a BBA in Administration and Marketing in 1991 and an MBA in 2001.[4]
In 1997, Brownell started work at Brownells, the company started by his grandfather in Montezuma, Iowa, as an executive vice president. Under his leadership, Brownells expanded rapidly, acquired three other firearms-related businesses, became a defense contractor, created an online store, and moved into retail.[2] Brownell became CEO in January of 2012.[4]
Pete Brownell and his father Frank Brownell own various firearm-related businesses through their holding company that they co-chair, 2nd Adventure Group. Pete Brownell serves as CEO. Businesses and brands owned through 2nd Adventure Group include Brownells; Crow Shooting Supply; the Big Springs Shooting Complex in Searsboro, Iowa; W.L. Baumler Company, a national wholesale distributor of hunting supplies and sporting goods based in Ohio; Sinclair International, an online retailer headquartered in Montezuma, Iowa that mainly sells tools for reloading ammunition, cleaning and maintaining firearms, and gun accessories; and AR15.com, an online forum that says it is "the world’s largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types."[5]
Brownell served on the NRA's board of directors starting in 2010 but resigned in late May of 2019 due to the demands that position placed on his time.[6] He served as president of the National Rifle Association from May 2017[7] to May 2018. Brownell is a member of the NRA's Golden Ring of Freedom, the group's biggest donors who are honored with a mustard-colored jacket.[8][9][3]
As of 2015, Brownell served on the board of Iowa Economic Development Authority.[10]
References
- Eller, Donnelle (February 3, 2013). "Iowa gun accessories supplier a key part of community". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- Shine, Jacqui (12 August 2018). "Civility and Culture Wars In an Iowa Gun Town". The New York Times.
- Payne, Kate. "Some Grinnell Residents Relieved Pete Brownell Won't Seek Re-Election As NRA President". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- "Pete Brownell Chief Executive Officer, Brownells Inc". Bloomberg. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- Staff (5 June 2019). "ARFcom Interest Purchased by Brownells' Holding Company, 2nd Adventure Group". Ammoland Shooting Sports News. Ammoland, Inc. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- Chokshi, Niraj (May 7, 2018). "Oliver North Is Named N.R.A. President". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- Aschbrenner, Joel (May 10, 2017). "Iowan Pete Brownell elected president of the NRA". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- Hakim, Danny (17 July 2019). "Beyond the Grave, the N.R.A.'s $56 Million Donor Lives On". The New York Times.
- Hamburger, Tom (31 May 2019). "Gun accessories supplier Brownell quits NRA board as internal battles flare". The Washington Post.
- Jacobs, Jennifer (21 December 2014). "Iowa caucuses: 50 most wanted Republicans". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 21 February 2020.