Southport-based gun maker Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. named one-time West Point cadet and longtime industry executive Christopher J. Killoy its president, effective Jan. 1.
Killoy”™s job description includes chief operating officer responsible for sales, marketing, manufacturing, product management and new product development.
Killoy has served as vice president of sales and marketing at the company since November 2006. “During this time, he has been instrumental in executing the successful launch of many new products and in managing the company”™s strong sales growth, Ruger said in a prepared statement.
“Chris is one of the industry”™s most experienced and respected executives and we are fortunate to have him,” said company CEO Mike Fifer. “In his expanded role, I expect Chris to enhance Ruger”™s standing as the industry leader in product innovation and superior financial performance.”
Prior to joining Ruger, Killoy was an executive with gun maker Smith & Wesson.
Additionally, he served as vice president and general manager of Savage Range Systems, a Massachusetts-based firing range/trap shooting supplier.
“I am honored and excited to get this expanded opportunity to provide leadership and service to such a tremendous company,” Killoy said. “We have a strong team in place and our 2,000-plus employees are passionate, dedicated, hardworking and committed to making great products.”
Killoy is a 1981 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and subsequently served in a variety of armor and infantry assignments in the U.S. Army.
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. bills itself as the only full-line manufacturer of American-made firearms, offering more than 300 variations of more than 30 product lines.
