Staccato has added one of the most decorated names in competitive shooting to its leadership roster, bringing in world champion Max Michel as Vice President of Training, Marketing and Brand Ambassadorship. The move carries the energy of a blockbuster signing, bringing a proven champion back to the brand that helped shape his rise.
Michel steps into the role with a résumé that practically hums with superlatives: 13 USPSA National Championships, seven Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting titles, an IPSC world crown, multiple team golds, a Guinness World Record and more than 300 major victories. For nearly 30 years, he’s been the standard for consistency, precision and competitive discipline—qualities that mirror the identity Staccato has built around its 2011 pistol platform.
“This truly feels like a full-circle moment, and I couldn’t be more grateful to join Staccato,” Michel said. He recalled how STI, Staccato’s predecessor, became his first sponsor at just 15 years old. Nearly three decades later, he said he’s ready “to make an impact on its efforts to deliver unmatched performance and support to its customers and our nation’s heroes.”
His role goes well beyond a ceremonial return. Michel will guide and expand Staccato’s training program with instructors Randy Tweedy, KC Eusebio, Michelle Viscusi and other ambassadors. He’ll support federal, military and law-enforcement partners through instruction and demonstrations at Staccato Ranch in Texas and Staccato Vegas in Nevada. He’ll also collaborate with the product development team to help drive research, innovation and performance across the lineup—all while serving as one of the brand’s leading public voices.
“Max represents everything Staccato stands for, excellence, integrity and a deep commitment to service,” said Staccato CMO Willem Driessen. He emphasized that Michel’s blend of championship-caliber skill and mentorship “strengthens our ability to effectively equip and train shooters at every level.”
Michel’s arrival comes more than a month after he announced his departure from SIG Sauer, where he had been a fixture since 2009. During those 16 years, he became one of the dominant forces in action shooting while contributing to product development across firearms and optics. Long before that, his precision was forged within the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit before moving into defense-industry contracting and consulting.
On social media, Michel called the announcement “a special moment,” adding that joining the Staccato Shooting Team and stepping into the VP role felt personally meaningful. He described his earlier sponsorship with STI as foundational, saying, “Nearly 30 years later, life has come full circle. The company that once helped launch my career is now the company I get to help lead, grow, and represent on the biggest stages.”
He also revealed a new partnership with Trijicon, saying, “I truly feel that Staccato, Trijicon and myself align perfectly with the same vision and values.” Michel added that after 27 years as a professional shooter, he’s ready for a broader mission—mentoring young shooters, supporting those who protect the nation and amplifying a brand he “truly believe[s] in.” “The next chapter is here,” he said. “I’m honored for the opportunity.”
For Staccato, the signing brings experience, credibility and a marquee presence. For Michel, it’s a homecoming that feels less like a return and more like the start of something bigger—an evolution built on the same precision and drive that defined his rise.
