CZ-USA reported that Petr Pistelak, president of CZ-USA, will transition back to Colt CZ Group in the Czech Republic. Petr Palecek will join Colt CZ Group in the role of CEO and head of operations for CZ-USA while John Dain was promoted to president and chief commercial officer of CZ-USA.
Pistelak’s move was driven by family medical considerations and comes after two years of rebuilding the CZ brand in the U.S. market. Working from Colt CZ’s headquarters in the Czech Republic, Pistelak will oversee international sales initiatives for Colt and Dan Wesson.
Colt CZ said in a statement, “Pistelak’s primary objective during his tenure was to stabilize the U.S. organization and build a team capable of sustaining long-term growth in revenue and operations. He has been the driving force behind the successful turnaround of CZ-USA, making critical hires and bringing a level of energy and focus that has inspired continued momentum across the company. His leadership, passion, and commitment have left a lasting impact on the organization and its people.”
Petr Palecek joins CZ-USA from Ceska zbrojovka (CZ), where he served as chief human resources officer and a member of Board of Directors for over 2 years. Prior to that, he worked with CZ as an adviser from McKinsey & Company. As CEO and head of operations for CZ-USA, Palecek will oversee operations, including logistics, manufacturing, finance, legal, and human resources.
Colt CZ said, “Palecek is a C-level executive with over 10 years’ experience in strategy and operations. While at McKinsey & Company, Palecek led transformation and business development for various clients. He is experienced in driving large-scale transformations across the Middle East, Europe and North America in technology, banking, and manufacturing industries.”
John Dain joined CZ-USA two years ago as executive vice president of sales. Colt CZ said that during his tenure, Dain played a vital role in advancing the company’s strategic direction and accelerating growth across retail and channel partnerships, including the continued development of the Dan Wesson brand. As president and chief commercial officer, he will lead sales, marketing, and product management, with responsibility for revenue and profit growth, brand leadership, market expansion, and customer experience across the United States.
Colt CZ said, “Dain brings more than a decade of leadership experience in the firearms industry, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, strengthening customer alignment, and building enduring brand momentum. He began his career at Sig Sauer in customer service and advanced through key roles in product management, national accounts, retail leadership, and executive sales. Earlier in his career, he served in the U.S. Army as an infantry team leader—an experience that continues to shape his leadership style, emphasizing discipline, accountability, and team development.
Tom Taylor, who has served as chief marketing officer at CZ-USA over the past year, will work closely with Dain to ensure a seamless integration of marketing and product management initiatives. He is concurrently transitioning to Colt CZ Group as chief business development officer – North America. In this role, Taylor will collaborate on business opportunities across CZ-USA, Colt, Dan Wesson, Colt Canada, Colt Optics, and other U.S.-based business initiatives.
Taylor brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and product management leadership roles at Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and Mossberg, along with over two decades in various sales and marketing positions at The Coca-Cola Company.
Colt CZ said, “As John Dain and Petr Palecek assume full responsibility for the U.S. business, they will collaborate closely with outgoing President Petr Pistelak and CMO Tom Taylor to ensure a smooth and effective transition across all areas of the organization.”
Image courtesy Colt CZ
