Freedom Group Names Kevin Miniard Chief Manufacturing Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations
OutdoorHub 04.02.12
Freedom Group, Inc. (FGI) has named Kevin Miniard as its chief manufacturing officer and senior vice president of operations. Miniard will oversee all manufacturing, quality, sourcing and distribution teams for FGI.
Miniard comes to Freedom Group from Smith and Nephew Medical where he was senior vice president (Global Operations) and responsible for transforming the company’s global product development model and quality systems.
Prior to his work with Smith and Nephew, Miniard held senior level positions with companies including BHM Technologies (senior vice president, operations) and CTA Acoustics Corporation (vice president, operations), among others. At CTA, Miniard, a life-long shooter and sportsman, worked under FGI Vice Chairman Jim Pike, a long-time Ducks Unlimited board member.
“In order to enhance our ability to bring world-class products to our customers, we are recommitting our focus to quality control and bringing in manufacturing and operations leaders like Kevin, who also shoots and has a passion for our products,” said George Kollitides, acting chief executive officer and executive chairman of the FGI board. “Kevin is a precision machining expert who will apply his skill and product knowledge to ensure the production of only the highest quality firearms, ammunition and related products for FGI.
“Throughout his career, Kevin has proven himself as someone who can consistently deliver,” continued Kollitides. “Whether leading transformations and strategic reorganizations in operations, engineering, quality systems, product development or supply base development, his work has been nothing short of exemplary. As Freedom Group continues to move forward in the global marketplace, there’s no doubt that Kevin will have an indelible impact on FGI manufacturing and operations.”
“As an active sportsman who is passionate about hunting, shooting and the very products FGI manufactures, I know full well the rights I will be helping to safeguard and the great responsibility this will entail,” said Miniard. “When you oversee manufacturing and operations for an industry icon – one that’s been ingrained in our great American culture since 1816 — it’s never enough simply to talk about quality. I look forward to demonstrating to our customers the seriousness that the FGI team takes in bringing the highest quality products to market, and ensuring our proud legacy continues.”
