2017 Pioneer of the Year Award: Larry and Brenda Potterfield

by
posted on May 2, 2017
potterfield_gba.jpg

2017 Pioneers of the Year: Larry and Brenda Potterfield, Co-Founders of MidwayUSA
Started as a small brick-and-mortar shop, MidwayUSA in Columbia, Mo., has become a household name and is now a giant of the firearm trade. The core principle of MidwayUSA’s business model—that customer satisfaction is paramount—has helped the firm earn two prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Awards.

Equally important to the cause of freedom, the husband-and-wife duo that created it, Larry and Brenda Potterfield, devised inventive new ways for firearm-industry businesses and private citizens to actively support NRA. Most prominent are two enduring financial lifelines: 1) The NRA Round-Up Program, with total contributions to NRA-ILA now exceeding $17 million; 2) The Friends of NRA—first established in Columbia at Larry’s urging, the beginning of a groundswell that has since raised more than $740 million for The NRA Foundation.

Brenda and Larry have long been known for their love of fine firearms, and they are accomplished shooters, worldwide hunters and ardent conservationists, both at home in Missouri and on a global scale. For many American hunters and shooters, Larry embodies what it means to be a gun enthusiast and tinkerer, thanks in part to MidwayUSA’s long-running “thanks for your business” TV commercials. There is practically no cause for the betterment of shooting, hunting, wildlife management and firearm freedom that has not been generously supported by the Potterfield family.

In recognition of their unparalleled service to NRA and The NRA Foundation, the Potterfields are charter members of the NRA’s Ring of Freedom and hold the distinction of being charter members of the Charlton Heston Society—the Ring’s ultimate honor.

Latest

NRA ILA Lede
NRA ILA Lede

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Colorado’s Excise Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Sales

On March 31, the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), together with the Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Colorado State Shooting Association, Magnum Shooting Center and an NRA member, filed a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s 6.5-percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts and ammunition.

The Magnum Research 10mm Magnum BFR Revolver

This 6-shot, single-action revolver may well be the first factory-made handgun chambered in this caliber in over three decades.

Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Applications Being Accepted

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearm industry, has opened the application period for the 2025 Hunting Heritage Trust Grants. They offer a total of $100,000 in financial support for programs that work to expand participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

ATN Shipping TICO LTV Thermal Clip-On

This thermal clip-on device is a huge night-time gear multiplier for hunters and observers, transforming any daytime scope into a thermal sight.

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.