Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) named Stephen S. Clark as senior vice president for human resources and corporate services at Vista Outdoor Inc., which it plans to spin off in February.
Clark will have overall responsibility for all human resources functions, including strategic human resource planning, compensation and benefits, human resources shared services, organizational development, talent management and corporate services including security services and facilities.
“Steve will be a great addition to our strong and experienced Vista Outdoor leadership team,” said Mark DeYoung, ATK president and chief executive officer and future chairman and chief executive officer of Vista Outdoor, which owns several firearms brands as well as the optics company Bushnell. “Steve's extensive leadership experience in global, publicly traded companies serving branded product customers and his proven ability to organize, develop and improve human resources and corporate services support our commitment to operational excellence and the creation of long-term shareholder value. He will be a critical part of our focus on efficiently developing and enhancing our human resources while expanding our leadership position in the outdoor recreation industry.”
Most recently, Clark served as senior vice president and chief people officer for the H.J. Heinz Company. He joined Heinz in 2002 and held various and increasing leadership roles within the human resources function. Clark was the director of staffing for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from 1998-2002. He also served in human resources management positions for Pizza Hut Inc. from 1995-1998.
Clark earned a master's degree in Organizational Behavior and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and French from Brigham Young University.
As previously announced, ATK and Orbital Sciences Corporation (“Orbital”) (ORB) have entered into a transaction agreement, whereby ATK's Aerospace and Defense Groups will merge with Orbital immediately following the spin-off of ATK's Sporting Group business to ATK stockholders as a newly formed company called Vista Outdoor Inc. The companies anticipate completing the transaction in February, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions, including the approval of both ATK's and Orbital's stockholders at special meetings scheduled for Jan. 27.
Vista Outdoor will be headquartered in Utah and have approximately 5,800 employees across the U.S. and internationally. The company's widely known and respected brands include: Federal Premium, Bushnell, Savage Arms, BLACKHAWK!, Primos, Final Approach, Uncle Mike's, Hoppe's, RCBS, Alliant Powder, CCI, Speer, Champion Targets, Gold Tip Arrows, Weaver Optics, Outers, Bollé, Cébé, and Serengeti.
