Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Honoring Pay Tribute To Innovation, Service he Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence presented its prestigious 2008 awards July 25 in Windsor, Conn., with more than 150 industry leaders attending the academy’s ceremony. The academy honored 13 companies and one individual after considering 142 entries, and 43 nominees on the final ballot. The academy’s individual honor was presented to Bob Hodgdon, Hodgdon 17th Annual Awards T Powder Co. Sturm, Ruger was honored with two awards: the Manufacturer of the Year and Handgun of the Year. SureFire also received two awards, and Ellett Brothers was named Distributor of the Year for the second year in a row. Established in 1992, the academy is sponsored by FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS, American Handgunner and American COP maga- zines. However, no one at the publisher is permitted to vote. The voting power is held exclusively by the academy, which includes 500 industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first to consider all entries in the 14 categories and then to determine who will receive the awards. Academy officials again used a more stringent screening process begun last year to ensure products selected for the final ballot were “in production.” Manufacturers whose products were selected for possible placement on the final ballot had 10 days to submit their products to the Academy for validation. “This additional step, along with our other strict requirements, ensures the integrity of the awards,” said Randy Moldé, Academy director. “It also means that just making it to the final ballot is a significant achievement. All of this year’s nominees should be proud of their accomplishments.” In keeping with the academy’s tradition, the results of this year’s final vote were kept secret. The awards presentation and reception were held in conjunction with the Sixth Annual Shooting Industry Masters. “We salute all the final nominees for their innovation, service and dedication to the industry. To be honored by your peers, who are often rivals, is especially meaningful,” said Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry’s editor, who joined Moldé in presenting this year’s awards. Bob Hodgdon received the Shooting Industry award: “For his 60 years at Hodg- Honoring Excellence Randy Moldé (right), Academy director, and Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry magazine editor, present the 2008 awards. 28 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com