Randi Rogers

[BAC]

http://www.shootingwire.com/features/225669

Between The Berms: Glock's Loss, Comp-Tac's Gain

Randi Rogers has found a new home with Comp-Tac. Photo by P. Erhardt
Last week Randi Rogers, a member of Team Glock since 2006 and an employee in Glock's marketing department since 2009, announced on her Facebook page that she was leaving the company to pursue "new opportunities and challenges".

In today edition of The Shooting Wire, Gregg Garrett, the president and founder of holster maker Comp-Tac Victory Gear, announced that Randi was joining as the company's newest shooter but, more importantly, it's marketing and sales manager.

Rumors about Randi's possible departure from Glock quietly circulated among industry insiders prior to SHOT Show, and in speaking to her during the show Randi confirmed that an announcement would be made shortly after SHOT.

As time went by and no announcement was made it seemed that Randi's plans had changed. During the Smith & Wesson IDPA Indoor Nationals I asked Randi about this, and while she didn't offer any details, she did indicate that she would be staying at Glock for a little while longer.

Well, a little while longer seems to have come and gone.

Randi routinely runs and guns her way to the winner's circle. Photo by P. Erhardt
For those unfamiliar with Randi Rogers, she is one of the top women shooters in the action pistol sports having delivered regional, national and world titles for Team Glock. Randi is so reliable when it comes to delivering titles that Karl "The Mailman" Malone has nothing on her.

But, if all you know about Randi is her time with Team Glock then you know only half the story - and not the truly impressive half.

While Randi is a gifted action pistol shooter, her real shooting roots are in Cowboy Action Shooting where she isn't just good, she's a bona fide shooting savant.

And she should be.

Randi grew up in Cowboy Action under the tutelage of her grandparents, Karen Pearcey, aka "Wicked Felina", and Gene Pearcey, otherwise known as the multi-time SASS World Champion "Evil Roy".

When is comes to Cowboy Action, Randi is all but untouchable. Photo by Curtis Rich
Now I can't blame you if you've never heard about Randi's accomplishments in the Cowboy world. SASS, the Single Action Shooting Society, seems to have adopted a late 1800s communications strategy...probably in keeping with the period clothing and firearms.

What you need to know is that in addition to her ridiculous list of accomplishments, Randi, who goes by the alias "Holy Terror", is the 9-time Ladies World Champion who finished in the top 10 overall in six of those championships.

When those in the know talk about Randi shooting End of Trail - the SASS world championship match - the question isn't whether or not she'll take the ladies title, but if this will be the year Randi wins the whole thing outright.

She. Is. That. Good.

Of course, if her time with Team Glock is just half the story when it comes to her shooting skills, then Randi's shooting is just half the story when it comes to the Comp-Tac announcement.

Randi didn't just shoot for Glock, but was part of the marketing team for one of the industry's biggest brands. Photo by P. Erhardt
Prior to joining Glock's marketing department Randi received her degree in Business Marketing from the University of Northern Colorado. During her time at Glock she worked on all aspects of marketing and specialized in event management.

However, those outside the organization would be hard pressed to tell you what Randi did in marketing other than compete and sign autographs in the Glock booth at trade shows - and this is a grossly unfair observation.

Anybody that deals with Randi quickly realizes that she is a confident, smart woman with more to offer than simply shooting and talking to customers in a show booth.

Those more familiar with the Glock organization knew Randi's position entailed much, much more but even to them it was probably clear that Randi's professional skills weren't being taken advantage of.

While Randi's talents might have gone underutilized at Glock, it's hard to hold this against the company.

Remember, Glock sells everything they make, and when a gun buying craze kicks in, they gobble up market share at the snap of their fingers. So it's probably safe to say they never really felt the pressure to 'leave no stone unturned' in their marketing efforts.

This is a luxury for Glock, but less so for young woman with marketing know-how, shooting experience and ambition, and the smarts to put the three together behind a brand.

Obviously Garrett and the others at Comp-Tac recognized this and presented Randi with an opportunity to take on a greater leadership role within the industry.

No doubt Randi will help put the 'victory' in Comp-Tac Victory Gear.
Comp-Tac is a small company compared to the behemoth that is Glock. Started in 2001 in Garrett's garage, Comp-Tac has grown from a one-man operation into a full-blown manufacturer with dozens of employees. The company's rapid growth means that a position like marketing and sales manager requires full-time attention from somebody with industry experience, product knowledge and creativity.

For a lot of reasons Randi Rogers is a perfect fit for Comp-Tac. And there are a lot of people in the industry that will agree that this is a very smart move on Comp-Tac's part.

At a point in time in the industry when women are growing in importance, not just as a consumer group but as key players within the industry, it's good to see one of the top women in the shooting sports tapped for her knowledge and not just her shooting skills - regardless of how wildly impressive they are.

I think we'll see Randi excel in her new position at Comp-Tac, and I won't be shocked if in the years to come she's sought after by other companies who recognize the value she brings.

- Paul Erhardt, Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network

Got shooting sports news? Send us an email at info@shootingwire.com.

[tt11758]

In other words, they're paying her enough for the "real" job that she can afford a sponsor fee cut from what Glock was paying.

[BAC]

She's climbing the corporate ladder while having fun shooting.  Her next job will probably be VP of marketing at one of the big companies.  Very shrewd young lady, me thinks.

[tt11758]

She's climbing the corporate ladder while having fun shooting.  Her next job will probably be VP of marketing at one of the big companies.  Very shrewd young lady, me thinks.

Zactly!!

[MikeBjerum]

I now need to back track and change my predictions:

Randi will get a small Glock on her shirt.  I understood she joined the shooting team, but now I see she took a job.  The shooting team is part of the job rather than the other way around.

Yes, she will be mainly Comp-Tac, and since she is keeping her Glocks I 'm sure there will be Glock money in her pockets as well.

Either way, congrats Randi!

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