MKS Supply’s Charles Brown receives
Vincent W. Shiel Sportsmen’s Heritage Award
Sportsmen’s Alliance and Rocky
Capitalize on New Partnership
T
he Sportsmen’s Alliance is
proud to announce Charles
Brown as the recipient of the
Vincent W. Shiel Sportsmen’s
Heritage Award. Brown, who
has long been an advocate for
the protection and defense of
sportsmen’s rights, was presented
the award during a Sportsmen’s
Alliance reception at the Shooting,
Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show at
the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las
Vegas on Jan. 19.
The annual award was created in
memory of Vincent W. Shiel – one
of the original board members of the
Sportsmen’s Alliance. As a legendary
figure in the sporting goods industry,
Shiel understood that he owed much
of his good fortune to the sportsman
and saw it as a responsibility to
ensure that the legacy endured. Shiel
was a tireless fighter for the rights of
sportsmen and devoted a significant
portion of his life to protecting
hunting, fishing and trapping.
“I am humbled and honored
to receive the Vincent W. Shiel
Sportsmen’s Heritage Award,”
said Brown. “The work that the
Sportsmen’s Alliance does to
protect the rights and increase both
participation and access for hunters,
fishermen and trappers is essential to
the survival of our industry.”
Brown, who grew up on a
shooting range in southwestern
Ohio, exemplifies Shiel’s dedication
to the outdoor industry. The two
actually worked closely together
for a number of years when Shiel
offered Brown a sales rep job at
his firearm distribution company,
Outdoor Sports. Brown, who took
the position upon graduation from
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SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
February | 2016
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Sportsmen’s Alliance Interim President and CEO Evan Heusinkveld, MKS Supply
CEO Charlie Brown and Cabela’s CEO Tommy Millner
“Mr. Brown is a shining example of
the good that can be gained when
industry leaders take an active
role in protecting the rights and
interests of American sportsmen.”
– evan heusinkveld
the University of Cincinnati with
a double major in marketing and
management, worked as a rep at
Outdoor Sports for eight years until
leaving for a new opportunity.
A few years later, Shiel approached
Brown again, this time offering him a
role at MKS Supply, a company formed
to do the sales and marketing for a
small local Ohio firearms maker named
Hi-Point. Brown eventually ended up
running the company and was offered
the opportunity to purchase MKS
from Shiel. He has owned and operated
MKS for the last 10 years.
“Mr. Brown is a shining
example of the good that can be
gained when industry leaders take
an active role in protecting the
rights and interests of American
sportsmen,” said Sportsmen’s
Alliance Interim President and
CEO Evan Heusinkveld. “His
actions speak volumes and are a
testament to his personal passion
for preserving our ability to hunt,
fish and trap.”
Outside of time spent fulfilling
his duties at MKS, Brown enjoys
fishing and bowhunting for
whitetails. He has been happily
married for 32 years and has four
children – all of whom he says
enjoy the shooting sports.
ocky, designers and manufacturers of premium quality
outdoor gear, recently joined Sportsmen’s Alliance as
President’s Club members of the Business Partner Program.
Both organizations have already reaped the benefits of
the relationship, having collaborated on a successful twoday fundraising initiative at the 2016 Shooting Hunting
Outdoors Trade Show, in which attendees purchased cobranded stainless-steel Stanley tumblers for $10. Proceeds
went to furthering the mission of Sportsmen’s Alliance.
“Rocky has a rich tradition in the outdoors, and
we’re always looking for unique opportunities to partner
with organizations that share our passion,” said Rocky
Brands Marketing Director, Jordan Gottke. “Sportsmen’s
Alliance works tirelessly to support hunters and outdoor
sports enthusiasts, so it makes perfect sense to share their
mission with our customers. We’re excited to have joined
Sportsmen’s Alliance for a special event at SHOT Show
and will continue to support their efforts throughout 2016.”
Rocky has catered to the needs of sportsmen since
the brand was created in 1979 as a unique identity
for William Brooks Shoe Co., a company founded
in Nelsonville, Ohio, in 1932. Long known for their
footwear of unparalleled quality, the company will soon
release a line of camo t