The Women of Ruger

1 of 1

Amy Mitsos—Payroll Admin. & 401K Manager, Ruger, Conn.

What is your shooting experience level?
"I thought I was a lot stronger, but I learned I have a lot of bad habits even though I've been shooting my whole life."

What are you taking away from this experience?
"Besides the incredible instruction, the Ruger women all being together and the camaraderie. The whole experience has been really amazing."

Fun Fact - "I donated my bone marrow to a complete stranger."

1 of 1

Katlin Johnson—SR Line Manufacturing Engineer, Ruger, Ariz.

What is your shooting experience level? "Intermediate."

1 of 1

Jean Van Metre—Environmental Health & Safety Manager, Ruger, Ariz.

What is your shooting experience level? "I have never shot before."

1 of 1

Denise Stone—HR Administration, Ruger, N.H.

What is your shooting experience level? "Very little. As a child with my dad, I shot skeet."

1 of 1

Dawn Smith—HR Administration, Ruger, N.H.

What is your shooting experience level? "Backyard plinker for a couple of years."

1 of 1

Brenda Soucy—Customer Service Supervisor, Ruger, Ariz.

What is your shooting experience level? "Plinking with the kids and grandkids."

1 of 1

Vickie Clark—Executive Admin. Assistant, Ruger, N.C.

What is your shooting experience level? "Backyard target practice."

1 of 1

Karen Little—Pinetree Castings Eng. Executive Admin. Assistant, Ruger, N.H.

What is your shooting experience level? "Very novice, very very."

1 of 1

Tammy Esmaili—HR Dept, Ruger, N.H.

What is your shooting experience level? "Shooting with my family in the backyard."

1 of 1

Linda Brown—Customer Service Lead, Ruger, Ariz.

What is your shooting experience level? "Novice."

1 of 1

Emily Monroe—American Rimfire Line Manufacturing Engineer, Ruger, N.H.

What is your shooting experience level?
"I'm classified as an NRA Master in rifle, but I have zero experience with handguns."

What are you taking away from this experience?
"I think two things. The mindset, taking away the knowledge that not everyone's bad, but there are bad people out there and knowing that I can protect myself and my family if I need to, and that I've been given the tools to do that."

Fun Fact
"I'm the cover model for the Rifle Coaches handbook."

1 of 1

Dana Huskey—HR Manager, Ruger, N.C.

What is your shooting experience level?
"I had only shot a gun one time before going to work for Ruger in August, and two times before that."

What are you taking away from this experience?
"Just to be more aware."

Fun Fact
"I have on my bucket list that I want to run a mud run!"

1 of 1

Bonnie Jackson—LCP Production Supervisor, Ruger, Ariz.

What is your shooting experience level?
"I used to work at the Ruger range firing and fixing the firearms. I've had a lot of experience, but not with target shooting."

What are you taking away from this experience?

"The most valuable thing is the mindset of how to use a firearm if you're ever in a situation where you have to."

Fun Fact
"I love to ride motorcycles."

1 of 1

Beth Pitkin—IT Department Systems Analyst, Ruger, N.H.

What is your shooting experience level?
"Very light. I have shot rifles before and I have shot my son’s SR9 a few times."

What are you taking away from this experience?
"Awareness—being in orange, walking around at that level and not white. Removing myself from any potentially dangerous situations. Being aware of all firearms around me, and being aware of where I have my firearm."

Fun Fact
"I like competing in sporting events and play on two volleyball teams."

1 of 1

Gunsite Academy Instructors

Gunsite Academy course instructors Dave Hartman, Il Ling New, Gary Smith and Jane Ann Shimizu (not pictured) taught a group of 23 eager employees and media attendees.