With degrees in political science and French from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Doug Painter served on the staff of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, from 1973 until his retirement in 2011.
Painter began his NSSF career as a media-relations specialist and writer. Responsibilities later included positions as director of communications, marketing director, vice president of marketing administration, and executive director. In 2002, he was named president and CEO of NSSF. At the same time, he was president of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Fund and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute. After retirement, Painter served as NSSF’s Senior Advisor and Trade Liaison.
Through his efforts at NSSF, his writing, and his work as a widely recognized television personality, Painter has focused on increasing public visibility and acceptance of shooting sports and promoting firearm safety education. He has been a board member of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Trust, Wildlife Management Institute, the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, and a co-chair of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Steering Committee.
A lifelong hunter, shooter, and avid fisherman, Doug has written extensively on a broad range of shooting sports topics as well as on wildlife conservation.
