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Pete Brownell

This article is about Peter R. Brownell, chairman of Brownells and former NRA President. For the mayor of Burlington, Vermont and Vermont State Senator, see Peter Brownell.
Peter Brownell
President of the National Rifle Association
In office
2017–2018
Preceded byAllan D. Cors
Succeeded byOliver North
Personal details
Born
Peter Royce Brownell

1969 (age 54–55)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHelen Redmond
Alma materUniversity of Iowa
OccupationBusinessman

Peter Royce Brownell (born 1969) is an American businessman. He is the Chairman of the Board of Brownells, a supplier of firearm accessories, ammunition and supplies based in Grinnell, Iowa. He is also Chairman of the Board and CEO of Brownell's parent company, 2nd Adventure Group.[1]

Brownell is a well known 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. His donations to Grinnell College caused controversy, raising the question "if you take someone's money, are you endorsing them?" and caused the college to revise its gift acceptance policy, adding language saying Grinnell can consider the source of the funds when deciding whether to accept or decline a gift.[2]

Brownell attended the University of Iowa. He earned a BBA in Administration and Marketing in 1991 and an MBA in 2001.[3]

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.[4] Brownell became CEO in January 2012.[3]

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 National Rifle Association of America (NRA) board of directors starting in 2010 but resigned in late May 2019 due to the demands that position placed on his time.[6][7] He served as president of the NRA from May 2017[8] 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.[9][10][11]

As of 2015, Brownell served on the board of Iowa Economic Development Authority.[12]

  1. ^ Eller, Donnelle (February 3, 2013). "Iowa gun accessories supplier a key part of community". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "NRA president's donation to Grinnell prompts policy rewrite and soul-searching". Archived from the original on February 21, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Pete Brownell Chief Executive Officer, Brownells Inc". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.(subscription required)
  4. ^ Shine, Jacqui (12 August 2018). "Civility and Culture Wars In an Iowa Gun Town". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Staff (5 June 2019). "ARFcom Interest Purchased by Brownells' Holding Company, 2nd Adventure Group". Ammoland Shooting Sports News. Ammoland, Inc. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  6. ^ "CEO of Iowa-based Brownells elected NRA president". The Gazette. Folience. May 10, 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  7. ^ Chokshi, Niraj (May 7, 2018). "Oliver North Is Named N.R.A. President". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Aschbrenner, Joel (May 10, 2017). "Iowan Pete Brownell elected president of the NRA". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  9. ^ Hakim, Danny (17 July 2019). "Beyond the Grave, the N.R.A.'s $56 Million Donor Lives On". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019.(subscription required)
  10. ^ Hamburger, Tom (31 May 2019). "Gun accessories supplier Brownell quits NRA board as internal battles flare". The Washington Post.
  11. ^ Payne, Kate (7 May 2018). "Some Grinnell Residents Relieved Pete Brownell Won't Seek Re-Election As NRA President". Iowa Public Radio. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  12. ^ Jacobs, Jennifer (21 December 2014). "Iowa caucuses: 50 most wanted Republicans". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 21 February 2020.

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