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 byAllan D. Cors
Succeeded byOliver North
Personal details
Born1969
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Iowa
OccupationBusinessman

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
  1. Eller, Donnelle (February 3, 2013). "Iowa gun accessories supplier a key part of community". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. Shine, Jacqui (12 August 2018). "Civility and Culture Wars In an Iowa Gun Town". The New York Times.
  3. Payne, Kate. "Some Grinnell Residents Relieved Pete Brownell Won't Seek Re-Election As NRA President". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  4. "Pete Brownell Chief Executive Officer, Brownells Inc". Bloomberg. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  5. Staff (5 June 2019). "ARFcom Interest Purchased by Brownells' Holding Company, 2nd Adventure Group". Ammoland Shooting Sports News. Ammoland, Inc. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  6. Chokshi, Niraj (May 7, 2018). "Oliver North Is Named N.R.A. President". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  7. Aschbrenner, Joel (May 10, 2017). "Iowan Pete Brownell elected president of the NRA". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  8. Hakim, Danny (17 July 2019). "Beyond the Grave, the N.R.A.'s $56 Million Donor Lives On". The New York Times.
  9. Hamburger, Tom (31 May 2019). "Gun accessories supplier Brownell quits NRA board as internal battles flare". The Washington Post.
  10. Jacobs, Jennifer (21 December 2014). "Iowa caucuses: 50 most wanted Republicans". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
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