Cody, WY — In the latest episode of the HeadHunters NW Podcast, host Shaylene Keiner sits down with Mark Cherpes, the recent former President and CEO of FN America, for a rare and revealing conversation about his 25-year career with one of the most iconic names in defense and firearms manufacturing. The episode goes live Tuesday, April 14th.
Mark brings a perspective that few executives in the industry can match. Before leading FN America's U.S. operations through a period of significant growth, he served at the Pentagon in the Navy office and the Office of the Secretary of Defense — a foundation that shaped his approach to strategy, compliance, and mission-driven leadership. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to build and sustain a world-class defense brand on American soil.
Among the topics Mark covers in depth: leading the complex merger of two culturally different organizations, developing strategies to reduce cyclical defense dependence by expanding into law enforcement and consumer markets, and driving product portfolio growth — including the integration of factory red-dot systems. His candid discussion on brand protection through rigorous compliance and crisis management offers lessons that go well beyond the firearms industry.
One of the most compelling portions of the conversation centers on talent and leadership. Mark shares his philosophy of hiring for character and cultural fit, and — in a moment of rare executive candor — openly discusses a lesson learned from not following his gut on a hire. It is a masterclass in the human side of organizational leadership that Shaylene, as a specialized executive recruiter in highly regulated industries, knows firsthand, shapes the trajectory of any organization.
Mark also addresses the road ahead: opportunities and regulatory risks on the horizon, and his involvement with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
Industry professionals should also know that Mark will be in attendance at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits (NRAAM), taking place April 16–19 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas — and he is available to connect. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with Mark at NRAAM, reach out to him directly at mark.cherpes@icloud.com or connect with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mark-l-cherpes-0b7889313 For more information about NRAAM, visit www.nraam.org. This episode is a conversation for executives, operators, and industry professionals who want unfiltered insight into what leadership at the highest levels of American defense manufacturing actually looks like.
"Mark Cherpes represents exactly the kind of leader I built this podcast to spotlight," said Shaylene Keiner, founder of HeadHunters NW. "His depth of experience — from the Pentagon to the boardroom of one of the most storied names in our industry — gives listeners access to insights you simply cannot find anywhere else. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership in defense and firearms manufacturing."
Tune in to the episode beginning Tuesday, April 14th. Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or YouTube. To learn more, visit headhuntersnw.com/podcast.
To learn more or have a confidential discussion, please contact HeadHunters NW President Shaylene Keiner by email at info@HeadHuntersNW.com .
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Connect with Mark Cherpes on LinkedIn or reach him directly at mark.cherpes@icloud.com.
About Mark Cherpes:
Mark Cherpes served as President and CEO of FN America for over 25 years, guiding the company's growth across military, law enforcement, and consumer markets. Prior to his tenure at FN America, Mark held roles at the Pentagon in the Navy office and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. A respected voice on defense manufacturing, compliance, and executive leadership, Mark is an active participant in the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. Mark will be attending the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 16–19, 2026, and welcomes the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and executives. To schedule a meeting with Mark at NRAAM, contact him at mark.cherpes@icloud.com.
About HeadHunters NW: The Best Heads for Business
HeadHunters NW is a premier executive search firm specializing in recruiting exceptional leadership talent across Artificial Intelligence & Software, Cybersecurity & Intelligence, Defense & Aerospace, Manufacturing & Automation, and the Small Arms & Shooting Industry. We transform organizations by identifying and securing executives who scale at the pace of your ambitions. Our expertise lies in finding leaders who don't just meet growth targets — they accelerate beyond them, turning challenges into competitive advantages. For more information or to discuss your executive talent needs, visit HeadHunters NW or contact Shaylene Keiner at 503-551-7114.