ATA Board of Directors Name Jeff Poole as New CEO

Poole looks forward to gathering stakeholder feedback and will include their opinions when making decisions to ensure the industry is on the best path forward. He believes the industry is poised to emerge from COVID-related challenges and is grateful to lead the Association and its members to new beginnings.

“The ATA’s future is bright,” he said. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”

In his 29 years with the NRA, he developed several important membership programs for retailers, manufacturers, instructors and clubs, and led the NRA’s merchandise sales business from a small fraternal operation to a large, multichannel revenue center. He helped launch several consumer shows and played an important role in acquiring the largest consumer sport show in the country, the Great American Outdoor Show. He also led the exponential growth of the NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits and helped the event earn “The Fastest Growing Association Show” title by the Trade Show News Network in 2018.

In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, carpentry, competing in triathlons and spending time with friends and family. He lives in Virginia with his wife of 32 years and two adult sons.

The ATA began its CEO search on Aug. 31. Since then, the ATA’s search committee reviewed resumes, conducted interviews and whittled the candidate list from over 100 applicants to the most qualified recipient. ATA’s search committee was composed of Board members and led by Jeff Adee, vice chair and president of Headhunter Bow Strings Inc., and James McGovern, vice chair and owner of Rinehart Targets. The ATA Board of Directors voted Poole into the CEO position during the Jan. 6 Board of Directors meeting at the 2022 Show.

Mark Copeland, Board Chair and store director of Jay’s Sporting Goods, was impressed with Poole’s resume and is grateful to add his knowledge of the industry and trade shows to the ATA team.

“Jeff’s experience with the National Rifle Association member organization is exactly what we need to put Bowhunters United on the track to success,” Copeland said. “He knows a consumer organization won’t generate money immediately, but with the right guidance and support, it has the potential to become a horsepower in the industry. I look forward to the changes and fresh vision he will bring to the ATA.”

Adee had similar thoughts.

“I’m very excited to bring a strong leader like Jeff to the ATA,” he said. “The toolbox he has built uniquely qualifies him to address the challenges facing the ATA and the industry in the coming years.”

Poole will be at the 2022 ATA Trade Show to make connections and begin familiarizing himself with ATA-member companies. He’s most excited about walking the Trade Show floor to talk with Show goers. He will begin his role as the ATA President & CEO on Jan. 24.

Please contact Allison Jasper, senior director of marketing and communications, at allisonjasper@archerytrade.org or (716) 392-3190 with questions.

About the Archery Trade Association

The Archery Trade Association is the organization for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. The ATA has served its members since 1953. We work to increase the recruitment and retention of new, current and once-active archers and bowhunters. We are the driving force in defending, educating, and lobbying for the greater good of the industry and sport. We preserve and promote archery and bowhunting’s rich heritage to ensure active consumer participation, and successful manufacturing and retailing for generations to come. The organization also owns and operates the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry's largest and longest-running trade show worldwide.