Candidate: Bruce Wells
Bruce Wells
Jacksonville, FL
I was raised in Jacksonville, FL, and after graduating high school I joined the Navy and on March 24,1972 I married Nancy. In October of 72 I was shipped out for Vietnam for ten months. On the day I returned home my enlistment was finished. I am a machinist by trade and my life’s work has been satisfying. In 2001 I was introduced to USPSA and went to my first match and was asked to serve on the bod of my local USPSA club due to my ability to weld. I learned quickly how to set and build stages, within a couple of years I was voted in as president of SEPSA and served twice for two years each term. In my early days of working majors some of the volunteers would create stages in our back yard, tear them down and trailer them to the match, set them up and find a crew to work the stage. I enjoyed learning and teaching while participating. I’ve served as a Section Coordinator, and presently hold the office of Area6 Director. As a young man I was taught that commitment and hard work were important. My commitments to my country, my work, my faith, my wife and family and to my service to USPSA have not wavered.
Why are you seeking to be President of USPSA?
To continue with the growth and success of Steel Challenge, Mutigun, and USPSA for the membership of each discipline. To serve each member with respect as I have in the past. To add leadership with the experience from the past to produce the best Nationals possible.
Prior to announcing your candidacy, what have you done to help promote safe, fun and fair practical shooting?
I began shooting in 2001, from day one I was involved with my local club, SEPSA, in Jacksonville, which I served as President twice for two years each time. I was elected as the Fl Section Coordinator and served until I was elected as the Area6 Director in 2016. I have hosted Range Officer classes numerous times and have sponsored individuals to attend. I have worked all but one Area6 Championship since 2001 in various positions along with numerous section championships and Nationals while respecting each competitor and enjoying the work while serving as a volunteer.
What qualifications set you apart from other candidates? What previous or current employment or volunteer experience do you have that qualifies you for the role of USPSA President?
I have served USPSA for 21 years starting at the grassroots level, Section Coordinator and an Area Director, I have seen what has made it grow and what has caused it’s setbacks. As for previous employments and experiences, as a Vietnam Veteran, a husband of 50 years, a father, a previous manager of a machine shop and now a machinist for WestRock and life in general, my education is on going with no end to it in sight. Growing our sport along with educating the public on our Second Amendment rights are paramount. Working with women events for training and education at a local level has been one of the priorities dear to me. Serving in my local church and community along with traveling to Washington DC to call on Congress discussing issues that effect the industry that I’m employed.
Describe the current culture of USPSA.
The culture has been mostly positive with the membership enjoying our passion for competitive shooting. The culture must be set at the grassroots level with leadership following what our members are asking for.
After reviewing the bylaws, please explain what the President of USPSA is responsible for and how will you fulfill those responsibilities if elected?
The President is elected by the membership and must serve the members as a whole. He will serve as the chairman of the BOD as described in the bylaws and oversee that the decisions made by the board are implemented when it is in his scope of work. The President also will be responsible for the success of our Nationals and will serve as our IPSC Regional Director.
What are the top three areas that need to be addressed within USPSA? What is your strategy for addressing them?
Protecting USPSA by the President, Area Directors and employees from those that would cheat, defraud, manipulate, or cause harm to our organization is the fiduciary responsibility of each of us. I will work with the BOD and those that are in leadership to make the proper corrections. Addressing our election issues from the past is a must. Advancement and advocating for NROI. Working with DNROI will be a priority.
If elected President of USPSA please explain how you will help support the clubs, sections and current members as well as promote USPSA to potential members?
In my personal view training those that will be stepping into the positions we as individuals are presently in bring the most value to the table, that means training our replacements. Teaching team work should be our goal. But adding education from the national level is important, finding what works and making it repeatable adds to our success. Dave Thomas, a past Executive Director, would travel to a section for a weekend of training with representatives from each club, for motivation and training on how to make a club successful through team work. I was privileged to be selected to attend, it has been invaluable to me. I would like to see USPSA fund and implement more of this type of training.
After reviewing Article 5 bylaw 5.1 please provide an outline of your strategy for items i) through vi)
USPSA must maintain financial stability, holding myself accountable is where it starts for me, to maintain integrity it is essential. Working with others in leadership roles, exchanging ideas, listening to what works and what has failed in the past. Membership recruitment and retention will always be an ongoing challenge, with continuing to listen to new and innovating ideas our membership will grow, we must offer the best product possible. Having the right professionals in place for marketing is imperative for growth. Format and location of our Nationals will also be a challenge, having them centrally located is ideal, with research, visiting, and also negotiating are the keys to being successful. We are a shooting sport, a family with one goal in mind, our second amendment rights while enjoying our passion. Focusing on what we are doing right will bring our shooting community closer. The revision of our bylaws addressed a much needed process regarding equipment changes. All changes to rules, procedures and policies should have adequate input from members and leadership prior to implementing. Published results from polls will help members understand reasons for change.
After reviewing the USPSA bylaws explain how you see your working relationship with the Managing Director and Board of Directors.
Both the Managing Director and the President will answer to the Board of Directors, but will need to become a unit, a team, full-filling the tasks assigned to office or job we have accepted. Focus should be on the goal of delivering a quality product to our membership and taking responsibility when necessary for where we have fallen short. As with any team, it is only as strong as our weakest leader, our success lies in our ability to work together.
What is USPSA doing right?
USPSA is a grassroots organization that has tripled membership in the past 20 years even when the climate for the shooting community was stormy. The effects from this growth is many people from different walks of life come together. The slow growth allows our leadership to deal with the growing pains. Our financials are sound and business direction is on course. Changes have been made for additional input from members. New gun owners are becoming members and learning from our sport. What brings value to me are the members that have enriched my life over the years.
If elected, what other issues would you want to address and what is your strategy for addressing them.
I do not feel that USPSA has many major issues to address. As new issues arise I would attack them before they are out of hand.
If you are unsuccessful in your bid to become president, how will you serve USPSA in the future?
I will continue as the Area6 Director while working with others that are seeking the the office, I will continue work as a volunteer at major matches, i will continue to serve my local club as VP, I will continue setup for our local matches, and I will continue to mow the grass at my local range.
To continue with the growth and success of Steel Challenge, Mutigun, and USPSA for the membership of each discipline. To serve each member with respect as I have in the past. To add leadership with the experience from the past to produce the best Nationals possible.
Prior to announcing your candidacy, what have you done to help promote safe, fun and fair practical shooting?
I began shooting in 2001, from day one I was involved with my local club, SEPSA, in Jacksonville, which I served as President twice for two years each time. I was elected as the Fl Section Coordinator and served until I was elected as the Area6 Director in 2016. I have hosted Range Officer classes numerous times and have sponsored individuals to attend. I have worked all but one Area6 Championship since 2001 in various positions along with numerous section championships and Nationals while respecting each competitor and enjoying the work while serving as a volunteer.
What qualifications set you apart from other candidates? What previous or current employment or volunteer experience do you have that qualifies you for the role of USPSA President?
I have served USPSA for 21 years starting at the grassroots level, Section Coordinator and an Area Director, I have seen what has made it grow and what has caused it’s setbacks. As for previous employments and experiences, as a Vietnam Veteran, a husband of 50 years, a father, a previous manager of a machine shop and now a machinist for WestRock and life in general, my education is on going with no end to it in sight. Growing our sport along with educating the public on our Second Amendment rights are paramount. Working with women events for training and education at a local level has been one of the priorities dear to me. Serving in my local church and community along with traveling to Washington DC to call on Congress discussing issues that effect the industry that I’m employed.
Describe the current culture of USPSA.
The culture has been mostly positive with the membership enjoying our passion for competitive shooting. The culture must be set at the grassroots level with leadership following what our members are asking for.
After reviewing the bylaws, please explain what the President of USPSA is responsible for and how will you fulfill those responsibilities if elected?
The President is elected by the membership and must serve the members as a whole. He will serve as the chairman of the BOD as described in the bylaws and oversee that the decisions made by the board are implemented when it is in his scope of work. The President also will be responsible for the success of our Nationals and will serve as our IPSC Regional Director.
What are the top three areas that need to be addressed within USPSA? What is your strategy for addressing them?
Protecting USPSA by the President, Area Directors and employees from those that would cheat, defraud, manipulate, or cause harm to our organization is the fiduciary responsibility of each of us. I will work with the BOD and those that are in leadership to make the proper corrections. Addressing our election issues from the past is a must. Advancement and advocating for NROI. Working with DNROI will be a priority.
If elected President of USPSA please explain how you will help support the clubs, sections and current members as well as promote USPSA to potential members?
In my personal view training those that will be stepping into the positions we as individuals are presently in bring the most value to the table, that means training our replacements. Teaching team work should be our goal. But adding education from the national level is important, finding what works and making it repeatable adds to our success. Dave Thomas, a past Executive Director, would travel to a section for a weekend of training with representatives from each club, for motivation and training on how to make a club successful through team work. I was privileged to be selected to attend, it has been invaluable to me. I would like to see USPSA fund and implement more of this type of training.
After reviewing Article 5 bylaw 5.1 please provide an outline of your strategy for items i) through vi)
USPSA must maintain financial stability, holding myself accountable is where it starts for me, to maintain integrity it is essential. Working with others in leadership roles, exchanging ideas, listening to what works and what has failed in the past. Membership recruitment and retention will always be an ongoing challenge, with continuing to listen to new and innovating ideas our membership will grow, we must offer the best product possible. Having the right professionals in place for marketing is imperative for growth. Format and location of our Nationals will also be a challenge, having them centrally located is ideal, with research, visiting, and also negotiating are the keys to being successful. We are a shooting sport, a family with one goal in mind, our second amendment rights while enjoying our passion. Focusing on what we are doing right will bring our shooting community closer. The revision of our bylaws addressed a much needed process regarding equipment changes. All changes to rules, procedures and policies should have adequate input from members and leadership prior to implementing. Published results from polls will help members understand reasons for change.
After reviewing the USPSA bylaws explain how you see your working relationship with the Managing Director and Board of Directors.
Both the Managing Director and the President will answer to the Board of Directors, but will need to become a unit, a team, full-filling the tasks assigned to office or job we have accepted. Focus should be on the goal of delivering a quality product to our membership and taking responsibility when necessary for where we have fallen short. As with any team, it is only as strong as our weakest leader, our success lies in our ability to work together.
What is USPSA doing right?
USPSA is a grassroots organization that has tripled membership in the past 20 years even when the climate for the shooting community was stormy. The effects from this growth is many people from different walks of life come together. The slow growth allows our leadership to deal with the growing pains. Our financials are sound and business direction is on course. Changes have been made for additional input from members. New gun owners are becoming members and learning from our sport. What brings value to me are the members that have enriched my life over the years.
If elected, what other issues would you want to address and what is your strategy for addressing them.
I do not feel that USPSA has many major issues to address. As new issues arise I would attack them before they are out of hand.
If you are unsuccessful in your bid to become president, how will you serve USPSA in the future?
I will continue as the Area6 Director while working with others that are seeking the the office, I will continue work as a volunteer at major matches, i will continue to serve my local club as VP, I will continue setup for our local matches, and I will continue to mow the grass at my local range.
I love this sport and the people in it.
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