Candidate: Ray Hirst
Ray Hirst
Quincy, IL
Ray Hirst
USPSA# L485
BIO
I became a member of USPSA in 1987 and obtained my Range Officer (“RO”) certification in 1987, my Chief Range Officer (“CRO “) in 1988 and my Rangemaster (“RM”) certification in 2003. My RO certification is the longest running in the United States, and I have served 18 years as Range Master Instructor. Through the years I have taught hundreds of RO and CRO classes all over the U.S., as well as mentoring around 10 Range Master students and shooting to many matches to count.
It has been gratifying to see students develop and improve their skills, and to watch their progression to contributing to USPSA as Range Officers and shooters. That is why I love competition shooting – the shared love for guns and shooting. There is a great willingness of the people to welcome and mentor new shooters.
A summary of my activity with USPSA:
• Worked and shot 400 plus major matches.
• Worked 110 plus USPSA Nationals as RO, CRO, Mr. Fix-it, Range Master, Assistant Match Director, or Match Director with around 25 of those Nationals in the capacity of Match Director or Assistant Match Director.
• Involved in Area 5 and Illinois Sectional matches for many years, with many as either Match Director or Assistant Match Director.
• 25 years running my local club matches.
• Ran new shooter classes at my home club.
• Range Master for 75 plus major matches.
• Match Director for the 1998 North American and the 2001 Pan American.
• Served on the NROI Rules Committee.
• 18 years as NROI Instructor
Working with the NROI instructors I spearheaded a new CRO course for NROI. The new course allowed USPSA to go from under 100 certified CRO’s to hundreds in a few years’ time.
USPSA# L485
BIO
I became a member of USPSA in 1987 and obtained my Range Officer (“RO”) certification in 1987, my Chief Range Officer (“CRO “) in 1988 and my Rangemaster (“RM”) certification in 2003. My RO certification is the longest running in the United States, and I have served 18 years as Range Master Instructor. Through the years I have taught hundreds of RO and CRO classes all over the U.S., as well as mentoring around 10 Range Master students and shooting to many matches to count.
It has been gratifying to see students develop and improve their skills, and to watch their progression to contributing to USPSA as Range Officers and shooters. That is why I love competition shooting – the shared love for guns and shooting. There is a great willingness of the people to welcome and mentor new shooters.
A summary of my activity with USPSA:
• Worked and shot 400 plus major matches.
• Worked 110 plus USPSA Nationals as RO, CRO, Mr. Fix-it, Range Master, Assistant Match Director, or Match Director with around 25 of those Nationals in the capacity of Match Director or Assistant Match Director.
• Involved in Area 5 and Illinois Sectional matches for many years, with many as either Match Director or Assistant Match Director.
• 25 years running my local club matches.
• Ran new shooter classes at my home club.
• Range Master for 75 plus major matches.
• Match Director for the 1998 North American and the 2001 Pan American.
• Served on the NROI Rules Committee.
• 18 years as NROI Instructor
Working with the NROI instructors I spearheaded a new CRO course for NROI. The new course allowed USPSA to go from under 100 certified CRO’s to hundreds in a few years’ time.
Why are you seeking to be President of USPSA?
I believe I can bring higher quality Nationals and make Nationals the must shoot match of the year and get the match back on budget.
I have worked and shot many great National Championships, but experienced several that were a disappointment. The responsibility for putting on the Nationals lies with the office of USPSA President - no one else.
As a 36-year USPSA volunteer, I have years of experience putting on quality matches at the local, sectional, area, and national levels. I have worked at approximately 25 Nationals in the capacity of Match Director or Assistant Match Director.
Everyone wants to shoot challenging stages and be part of the comradery developed among all the staff that come together to put on a great match. I have the organizational skills to make that happen. You can expect a great (on budget) Nationals competition from me.
Prior to announcing your candidacy, what have you done to help promote safe, fun and fair practical shooting?
I became a member of USPSA in 1987 and obtained my CRO certification in 1988. My RO certification and work record is the longest running in the United States, and I have also served 18 years as Range Master Instructor having taught hundreds of Range Officer and CRO classes all over the United States – mentoring around 10 Range Master students, as well. It’s been very gratifying to see students develop and improve their skills and contribute to USPSA as Range Officers and shooters.
I have worked as Range Master for 75 plus major matches to ensure a fair and safe match by following and applying the USPSA rules. I also taught several New Shooter classes at my home club. The classes taught the students about USPSA shooting and the rules. We also covered gun safety and basic gun handling skills. The class had a short Power Point presentation covering USPSA rules and gun safety based on the USPSA level one class and basic pistol presentations that I shortened and combined. The class was one-day with classroom time about 3 hours and range time shooting about 4 hours.
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 been a proud USPSA volunteer for 36 years. I love USPSA and am always happy to talk about it. Many times, I’ve been asked about my gun logo shirts. I always tell them about USPSA’s pistol matches and encourage them to go to USPSA.org to find a club near them. I promote the organization every chance I get.
There are a lot of roles to be filled to put on a successful match. I have worked 110 plus USPSA Nationals in every capacity including RO, CRO, Mr. Fix-it, Range Master, Assistant Match Director, and Match Director, with around 25 of those Nationals working in the capacity of Match Director or Assistant Match Director. Putting on a match is a big job, but being a 36-year USPSA member, I know who does, or does not yet, have the skills to fill the necessary roles so we can put on a great match. The goal is to encourage shooters to move beyond their local matches and to mentor Shooters/Range Officers so they can fill increasingly challenging roles.
With my nearly 40 years’ experience in engineering, I pay attention to details. I think that attention to detail while receiving multiple inputs from various directions is a major plus in selecting someone to lead the organization.
Describe the current culture of USPSA.
At a local club level, the match culture is great. At Nationals level the culture could be so much better. We need challenging stages with multiple options to shoot the stage but not be too difficult for most competitors to shoot. This would allow top competitors to show off their skills with better times on the stages. We also need to get back to a friendlier, more united atmosphere for competitors and staff. We must get back to shooting and having fun. The office of President should be focused on this.
After reviewing the bylaws, please explain what the President of USPSA is responsible for and how will you fulfill those responsibilities if elected?
I see the President and Board of Directors (“BOD”) working jointly for the benefit of USPSA. We would work together to create a plan for dissemination and implementation of meaningful new policies. Through teamwork we would strategize about promoting the organization and defining the future vision for the sport.
The President is the United Sates regional director of the IPSC World Body and in that capacity, I will share ideas, discuss and help solve issues. I will try to get ahead of any IPSC issues or changes that will affect USPSA membership. Working closely is to the benefit of both organizations.
It is the President’s responsibility to put on a successful USPSA National Championship. During my 36-years’ experience as a USPSA volunteer, I have worked the many roles that come together to create a successful match. As mentioned previously, those include RO, CRO, Mr. Fix-it, Range Master, Assistant Director, and Match Director with around 25 of those Nationals working at the level of Match Director or Assistant Match Director. As your President, I will lead a successful Nationals Championship and, I will do it on budget.
There is nothing I enjoy more than promoting shooting sports and USPSA.
What are the top three areas that need to be addressed within USPSA? What is your strategy for addressing them?
1. Membership growth is a critical component for our organization. If the office of President & BOD does a good job of supporting local clubs, they will increase the membership of USPSA. We need to ease new members into the sport and encourage their participation as future volunteers. The first time on the gun range can be intimidating so mentoring is an important aspect of this initiative. We need effective promotions and new shooter materials from the National level and classes at the local level. Again, we also need to supply materials, presentations, and mentoring for new clubs.
2. Budget accountability is an item that needs to be addressed as well as better Nationals. I will work with the BOD and Executive Director to determine where we’re overspending and find areas where there are opportunities for savings. Having been the Match Director for a good number of Nationals and other major matches, none of which lost money, I have a good perspective and background to get this done.
3. It’s a shame that a significant percentage of our members only shoot their local matches. We need to encourage members to take the RO classes offered and encourage participation as volunteers at local, area, sectional and national matches. Shooters gain confidence through classroom experience but even more so by mentoring and practice.
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?
Along with the current NROI programs we need to develop a new shooter program. A program to help train clubs and sections to organize and teach new shooter classes. I would lead this program.
In the same manner we need a program with materials to develop new venues for USPSA shooting. There are a lot of gun clubs that do not shoot USPSA matches. We need to partner with these ranges to host matches.
My 18 years as Range Master Instructor uniquely qualifies me to lead these programs. This will be a big part of what I do as President.
After reviewing Article 5 bylaw 5.1 please provide an outline of your strategy for items i) through vi)
i. The budget must be balanced. There are no excuses. I will work with the Executive Director and BOD to determine where we’re overspending and identify areas where there are opportunities to save money. We’ll work together to get the Nationals budget back on track. I have a good perspective and background as I have run many National matches and other major matches that were profitable.
ii. Recruitment of new members happens at the local level. If we do a great job of supporting local clubs, they will increase the membership of USPSA.
iii. Marketing strategies should be two pronged. The local level clubs will always be our best marketing tool. We should also partner with our match sponsors to promote USPSA to mutual benefit.
iv. Nationals should move around the country to allow membership to shoot the matches with the intent to minimize large travel expenses. The President and BOD must find the most suitable locations for the multiple Division Nationals.
v. USPSA needs to engage other shooting organizations (RCSA, NRL, etc.) to promote all shooting sports. By sharing ideas and marketing strategies we all benefit.
vi. As a retired Range Master Instructor, I have a very close perspective of what is right and wrong with NROI. The BOD and President must take a closer and more careful approach to rule changes. They need to be more involved. Not enough attention has been given to both the long- and short-term consequences of the numerous rule changes over the past few years.
After reviewing the USPSA bylaws explain how you see your working relationship with the Managing Director and Board of Directors.
I see the relationship of the President to the Managing Director and BOD as a partnership. The President must work closely with the BOD and Managing Director to define the future vision for the sport. It is important for the President to promote practical shooting and work with the BOD to develop some strategies to bring the sport and USPSA to the attention of potential new members.
What is USPSA doing right?
We do a great job of putting on USPSA matches in the realm of practical shooting. The matches are unique unto themselves, exciting to shoot and present a great personal challenge to do well. Our NROI gun Safety protocols are second to none.
If elected, what other issues would you want to address and what is your strategy for addressing them.
We need better ways to promote this great sport to grow membership. An important part of this would be new shooter materials and classes at the local level. We also need to have a new club start up program that includes materials, presentations, and mentoring to get new clubs shooting USPSA.
We must get a better handle on our budget. When I ran Nationals as Match Director, the match made money. The Nationals should not be a profit center, but it should not lose money. This shortfall must be addressed.
If you are unsuccessful in your bid to become president, how will you serve USPSA in the future?
Nothing will diminish my love for the sport of practical shooting. I will continue to serve USPSA as I have for the last 36 years as a volunteer at matches all over the United States.
I believe I can bring higher quality Nationals and make Nationals the must shoot match of the year and get the match back on budget.
I have worked and shot many great National Championships, but experienced several that were a disappointment. The responsibility for putting on the Nationals lies with the office of USPSA President - no one else.
As a 36-year USPSA volunteer, I have years of experience putting on quality matches at the local, sectional, area, and national levels. I have worked at approximately 25 Nationals in the capacity of Match Director or Assistant Match Director.
Everyone wants to shoot challenging stages and be part of the comradery developed among all the staff that come together to put on a great match. I have the organizational skills to make that happen. You can expect a great (on budget) Nationals competition from me.
Prior to announcing your candidacy, what have you done to help promote safe, fun and fair practical shooting?
I became a member of USPSA in 1987 and obtained my CRO certification in 1988. My RO certification and work record is the longest running in the United States, and I have also served 18 years as Range Master Instructor having taught hundreds of Range Officer and CRO classes all over the United States – mentoring around 10 Range Master students, as well. It’s been very gratifying to see students develop and improve their skills and contribute to USPSA as Range Officers and shooters.
I have worked as Range Master for 75 plus major matches to ensure a fair and safe match by following and applying the USPSA rules. I also taught several New Shooter classes at my home club. The classes taught the students about USPSA shooting and the rules. We also covered gun safety and basic gun handling skills. The class had a short Power Point presentation covering USPSA rules and gun safety based on the USPSA level one class and basic pistol presentations that I shortened and combined. The class was one-day with classroom time about 3 hours and range time shooting about 4 hours.
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 been a proud USPSA volunteer for 36 years. I love USPSA and am always happy to talk about it. Many times, I’ve been asked about my gun logo shirts. I always tell them about USPSA’s pistol matches and encourage them to go to USPSA.org to find a club near them. I promote the organization every chance I get.
There are a lot of roles to be filled to put on a successful match. I have worked 110 plus USPSA Nationals in every capacity including RO, CRO, Mr. Fix-it, Range Master, Assistant Match Director, and Match Director, with around 25 of those Nationals working in the capacity of Match Director or Assistant Match Director. Putting on a match is a big job, but being a 36-year USPSA member, I know who does, or does not yet, have the skills to fill the necessary roles so we can put on a great match. The goal is to encourage shooters to move beyond their local matches and to mentor Shooters/Range Officers so they can fill increasingly challenging roles.
With my nearly 40 years’ experience in engineering, I pay attention to details. I think that attention to detail while receiving multiple inputs from various directions is a major plus in selecting someone to lead the organization.
Describe the current culture of USPSA.
At a local club level, the match culture is great. At Nationals level the culture could be so much better. We need challenging stages with multiple options to shoot the stage but not be too difficult for most competitors to shoot. This would allow top competitors to show off their skills with better times on the stages. We also need to get back to a friendlier, more united atmosphere for competitors and staff. We must get back to shooting and having fun. The office of President should be focused on this.
After reviewing the bylaws, please explain what the President of USPSA is responsible for and how will you fulfill those responsibilities if elected?
I see the President and Board of Directors (“BOD”) working jointly for the benefit of USPSA. We would work together to create a plan for dissemination and implementation of meaningful new policies. Through teamwork we would strategize about promoting the organization and defining the future vision for the sport.
The President is the United Sates regional director of the IPSC World Body and in that capacity, I will share ideas, discuss and help solve issues. I will try to get ahead of any IPSC issues or changes that will affect USPSA membership. Working closely is to the benefit of both organizations.
It is the President’s responsibility to put on a successful USPSA National Championship. During my 36-years’ experience as a USPSA volunteer, I have worked the many roles that come together to create a successful match. As mentioned previously, those include RO, CRO, Mr. Fix-it, Range Master, Assistant Director, and Match Director with around 25 of those Nationals working at the level of Match Director or Assistant Match Director. As your President, I will lead a successful Nationals Championship and, I will do it on budget.
There is nothing I enjoy more than promoting shooting sports and USPSA.
What are the top three areas that need to be addressed within USPSA? What is your strategy for addressing them?
1. Membership growth is a critical component for our organization. If the office of President & BOD does a good job of supporting local clubs, they will increase the membership of USPSA. We need to ease new members into the sport and encourage their participation as future volunteers. The first time on the gun range can be intimidating so mentoring is an important aspect of this initiative. We need effective promotions and new shooter materials from the National level and classes at the local level. Again, we also need to supply materials, presentations, and mentoring for new clubs.
2. Budget accountability is an item that needs to be addressed as well as better Nationals. I will work with the BOD and Executive Director to determine where we’re overspending and find areas where there are opportunities for savings. Having been the Match Director for a good number of Nationals and other major matches, none of which lost money, I have a good perspective and background to get this done.
3. It’s a shame that a significant percentage of our members only shoot their local matches. We need to encourage members to take the RO classes offered and encourage participation as volunteers at local, area, sectional and national matches. Shooters gain confidence through classroom experience but even more so by mentoring and practice.
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?
Along with the current NROI programs we need to develop a new shooter program. A program to help train clubs and sections to organize and teach new shooter classes. I would lead this program.
In the same manner we need a program with materials to develop new venues for USPSA shooting. There are a lot of gun clubs that do not shoot USPSA matches. We need to partner with these ranges to host matches.
My 18 years as Range Master Instructor uniquely qualifies me to lead these programs. This will be a big part of what I do as President.
After reviewing Article 5 bylaw 5.1 please provide an outline of your strategy for items i) through vi)
i. The budget must be balanced. There are no excuses. I will work with the Executive Director and BOD to determine where we’re overspending and identify areas where there are opportunities to save money. We’ll work together to get the Nationals budget back on track. I have a good perspective and background as I have run many National matches and other major matches that were profitable.
ii. Recruitment of new members happens at the local level. If we do a great job of supporting local clubs, they will increase the membership of USPSA.
iii. Marketing strategies should be two pronged. The local level clubs will always be our best marketing tool. We should also partner with our match sponsors to promote USPSA to mutual benefit.
iv. Nationals should move around the country to allow membership to shoot the matches with the intent to minimize large travel expenses. The President and BOD must find the most suitable locations for the multiple Division Nationals.
v. USPSA needs to engage other shooting organizations (RCSA, NRL, etc.) to promote all shooting sports. By sharing ideas and marketing strategies we all benefit.
vi. As a retired Range Master Instructor, I have a very close perspective of what is right and wrong with NROI. The BOD and President must take a closer and more careful approach to rule changes. They need to be more involved. Not enough attention has been given to both the long- and short-term consequences of the numerous rule changes over the past few years.
After reviewing the USPSA bylaws explain how you see your working relationship with the Managing Director and Board of Directors.
I see the relationship of the President to the Managing Director and BOD as a partnership. The President must work closely with the BOD and Managing Director to define the future vision for the sport. It is important for the President to promote practical shooting and work with the BOD to develop some strategies to bring the sport and USPSA to the attention of potential new members.
What is USPSA doing right?
We do a great job of putting on USPSA matches in the realm of practical shooting. The matches are unique unto themselves, exciting to shoot and present a great personal challenge to do well. Our NROI gun Safety protocols are second to none.
If elected, what other issues would you want to address and what is your strategy for addressing them.
We need better ways to promote this great sport to grow membership. An important part of this would be new shooter materials and classes at the local level. We also need to have a new club start up program that includes materials, presentations, and mentoring to get new clubs shooting USPSA.
We must get a better handle on our budget. When I ran Nationals as Match Director, the match made money. The Nationals should not be a profit center, but it should not lose money. This shortfall must be addressed.
If you are unsuccessful in your bid to become president, how will you serve USPSA in the future?
Nothing will diminish my love for the sport of practical shooting. I will continue to serve USPSA as I have for the last 36 years as a volunteer at matches all over the United States.
I spent almost 40 years at Gardner Denver in Quincy, Illinois designing rotary screw air compressors. Twenty-five years of that as lead designer coordinating input from electrical and mechanical engineers. I was responsible for all detailed documentation of the projects. This included all part and assembly drawings, service manuals, parts list manuals, bill of materials along with programming the order entry configurator system.
When I retired, I combined my love of USPSA shooting with my engineering background. I formed a steel target system company (Range Master Steel) aimed at USPSA and Steel Challenge shooting.
I can’t imagine my life without USPSA and the sport of competitive shooting. I love the fellowship, opportunities to grow in the sport, and the fun and excitement experienced at every match. I am dedicated to USPSA and will remain so for many years to come.
When I retired, I combined my love of USPSA shooting with my engineering background. I formed a steel target system company (Range Master Steel) aimed at USPSA and Steel Challenge shooting.
I can’t imagine my life without USPSA and the sport of competitive shooting. I love the fellowship, opportunities to grow in the sport, and the fun and excitement experienced at every match. I am dedicated to USPSA and will remain so for many years to come.
Email Address: [email protected]