Left to Right : Top Dennis Tippmann Jr , Paul Tournier , Dave “ Opie ” Thomas , Bottom Marty Tripes ( yellow ), Dennis Tippmann Sr .
Dennis Tippmann Jr . - It ’ s impossible to credit Dennis Tippmann with the company ’ s success without recognizing the efforts of his son , Dennis Tippmann Jr . “ Junior ,” as he ’ s referred to by his peers is the creator , designer and engineer of most of the Tippmann marker line from the early 1990s to the present . And in 2013 he was named CEO of Tippmann Sports where he remains as influential as ever .
Dave “ Opie ” Thomas – Dave Thomas , better known as “ Opie ,” has done it all in paintball . After getting his start on the tournament circuit in northern California in the early 90s , Opie made his way to the east coast , where he would play for two legendary teams : Image and Baltimore Trauma . And when he wasn ’ t winning NPPL , PSP or original NXL tournaments , Opie was working his way up the corporate chain , first as Director of Promotions at Procaps , then VP of Operations , to Plant Manager at GI Sportz and now Kore Outdoor Inc .
Paul Tournier - Paul was the director of marketing with RP Scherer through the mid 1990s and played a huge role in the development of the game , especially the tournament side . Paul could be found handing out huge checks to podium teams at the PMI North American Championships in the late 80s , as well as many Lively events .
Marty Tripes - Marty Tripes was a presence in tournament paintball in the 1980s and 90s . In fact , it was Marty that introduced paintball to John and Rita Gregory , then owners of JT Racing . Marty convinced the Gregorys that the growing game of paintball needed better and safer goggles and the rest is history . After his time with JT Paintball / Racing , Marty moved into a position with Scott Goggles and success in paintball followed for Scott as well .
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