Gander Mountain names new merchant

Leading outdoor lifestyle retailer Gander Mountain has a new senior merchant to lead hardlines merchandising as it pursues greater growth of firearms and aggressive store expansion.

The operator of 156 stores – 40 of which have opened since 2012 – said Jay Tibbets joined the company as vice president of hardlines merchandising to oversee the sales, procurement and replenishment of all firearms, ammunition, security, hunting supplies and fishing gear.

We are excited to welcome Jay to the Gander Mountain team and we will benefit greatly from having his experience and expertise in the fold,” said Mike Owens, Gander Mountain’s president and CEO. “Jay joins us at a time of unprecedented growth for the company, and we look forward to his contributions as we continue to grow the Gander Mountain brand and focus on our core business in hunting, fishing and shooting sports.”

Tibbets previously worked for ATK Sporting Group as senior vice president and president. While at ATK, a developer of aerospace, defense, and commercial products including ammunition, Tibbets also served as the vice president of strategy and business for ATK Armament Systems and as the director of business development for conventional munitions.

Before joining the corporate workforce, Tibbets served 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an ammunition officer. He holds a degree in operations management from the University of Minnesota.

This is an exciting time of growth for Gander Mountain, as the company solidifies its reputation as the top name in this business and reaches countless new customers through the on-going expansion,” Tibbets said. “For me, joining the Gander Mountain team is a real honor, and I look forward to working to meet the needs of hunting, fishing and shooting sports enthusiasts everywhere.”