USA Shooting Names A New CEO: Craig Kozeniesky To Begin Early January 2023

New USA Shooting CEO search concludes with recent hiring of Craig Kozeniesky, former vice president of development at PrairieFire

by
posted on November 22, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
New Usashooting CEO 1
Col. Craig Kozeniesky, USMC (Ret.) and formerly the vice president of development at PrairieFire, is the new chief executive officer for USA Shooting.
USA Shooting

USA Shooting has announced the hiring of a new Chief Executive Officer, Craig Kozeniesky, a retired Marine Corps Colonel.

Craig Kozeniesky
Col. Craig Kozeniesky, USMC (Ret.) is the new CEO for USA Shooting.

Kozeniesky is relocating to Colorado Springs, Colo., and will assume his duties as CEO in early January of 2023.

A true leader who is passionate about USA Shooting, Kozeniesky certainly has the credentials to lead the organization. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 27 years and is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, Kozeniesky has been connected with USA Shooting for more than 10 years, most notably in relation to his son, Lucas. The younger Kozeniesky captured a silver medal with teammate Mary Tucker at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event.

“I am honored and humbled to join the leadership team at USA Shooting, an organization that I have been associated with since 2009 when my son started on his path to shooting excellence as a novice shooter,” Kozeniesky said. “As a career military officer, I see this opportunity as an extension of service to this great nation.”

Kozeniesky’s military career includes infantry, reconnaissance and joint special operations assignments. Since his retirement from the military, Kozeniesky has worked at the Nevada Secretary of State Office as the deputy secretary for operations and also in U.S. government contracting. Most recently, he was vice president of development for PrairieFire, a start-up in the shooting sports, training and destinations sectors.

“As chairman of the board, I consider it an esteemed honor to welcome Colonel Craig Kozeniesky to the helm of our organization,” Chad Whittenburg, chairman of the USA Shooting Board and president of the USA Shooting Federation, said. “Colonel Kozeniesky is a proven leader in the shooting industry and the Marine Corps, both in and out of combat.”

USA Shooting’s temporary CEO team has been formally dissolved. Brent McPherson will serve as interim CEO and Alex Szablewski will serve as interim COO until January 2023 when Kozeniesky officially starts his role.

“I am looking forward to building on the successes of our Olympic and Paralympic teams as we move towards Paris 2024, expanding our development pipeline across all disciplines, increasing our engagement with member clubs at all levels, and gaining support and backing from the vast U.S. shooting sports community,” Kozeniesky added.

Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org.

Latest

Federalpursuitriflecase 1
Federalpursuitriflecase 1

Federal’s Fit Pursuit Rifle Case Adjusts Its Length to Match Your Setup

Federal’s Fit Pursuit Rifle Case is now shipping with adjustable length, heat-resistant lining and suppressor-ready storage in 40- and 45-inch sizes.

Art and the Sporting Tradition Takes Center Stage at Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College’s Nimrod Education Center hosted Art and the Sporting Tradition, a two-day program exploring wildlife art, decoys and conservation.

Kiersten Sales Wins Main Event Lady Champion Title at 2026 Jack Link’s Cup

Kiersten Sales claims Main Event Lady Champion and three more titles as Team Krieghoff posts multiple podium finishes at 2026 Jack Link’s Cup.

New: Real Avid Smart-Torq and X3 Driver System

Real Avid’s Smart-Torq and X3 Driver System is now shipping in five kits with torque limiters and ratcheting drivers.

Milan Cortina 2026: U.S. Women Close Olympic Biathlon Campaign With 18th Place in 4x6 km Relay

Team USA women take 18th place in biathlon 4x6 km relay at Milan Cortina 2026, closing out their Olympic campaign at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena.

A Year of Classic Battles: 1988 National Matches

Wind and comebacks defined the 1988 National Matches, where Lenardson, Wigger, Weaver and Tubb each claimed titles in dramatic fashion.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.