by Stag Arms announced two big changes today. Chad Larsen has been selected to be the new President of Stag effective immediately. On top of that, the company is relocating from New Britain, CT to Cheyenne, WY. The relocation will be completed by the end of 2019.
Stag Arms had announced in June their intention to leave Connecticut. They had previously thought about moving in 2013. However, due to family and supplier ties, Mark Malkowski, then president, decided to remain in New Britain. This time they were serious and began a national search.
In making today’s announcement, Elie Azar, Founder and CEO of White Wolf Capital, LLC, which owns a controlling interest in Stag
Arms, said: “We decided it was time to do a complete refresh of the Company. We needed to solve for three things: visionary
customer-centric leadership, a business-friendly, pro-growth economic environment, and a cultural climate that reflects Stag’s brand
image of independence and free spiritedness. I am pleased to report that we have found a solution that hits all these points.”
To find a new location for the Company, Stag’s Board of Directors conducted a rigorous process comparing dozens of potential sites
against a stringent set of criteria. “Cheyenne came out on top on most of the individual criteria,” said Azar, “and considering our
requirements as a whole, it was by far the superior site. Not only is Wyoming an incredibly hospitable place to do business, it is also a
top destination for outdoor recreation, including hunting and shooting sports, which reflects its citizens’ unwavering support for the
Second Amendment.”
Gov. Mark Gordon (R-WY) was understandably pleased.
I am pleased to welcome Stag Arms to Wyoming and to know that our state came out on top of a broad look at potential new homes for the sought-after company. We have a deep-seated commitment to the Second Amendment that I will continue to uphold.
When Stag Arms announced their intention to leave Connecticut, business development officials for Cheyenne and the State of Wyoming didn’t waste any time reaching out to them. They helped with site location, workforce evaluation, and introduction to the community.
New president Chad Larsen comes to Stag from Aero-Precision where he headed new product development. This is not that surprising given that White Wolf Capital also owns Aero-Precision and Ballistic Advantage.
Azar noted, “Chad’s innovative genius with the Modern Sporting Rifle
platform stems from his personal emersion (sic) in the shooting and hunting community. He knows what customers want—and what they
don’t—because he is one of them.” Mr. Larsen is both an avid hunter and a registered 3-Gun, Multi-gun and USPSA competitor.
As yet another firearms company leaves “Gun Valley” thanks to high taxes, a poor business climate, and antipathy to firearms, what had been the center of the firearms industry is slowly becoming a shadow of its former self.