At its annual meeting June 19 in Providence, Rhode Island, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) elected a new chairman and vice-chairman.

Joe Bartozzi, senior vice president and general counsel of O. F. Mossberg & Sons, was elected chairman of the board of directors. “I am honored to be named SAAMI Board Chairman,” said Bartozzi. “SAAMI's expertise and accomplishments regarding firearms safety and reliability are second to none, and I am extremely proud to have been involved with a number of the committees of this great organization for nearly 25 years.”

Olin/Winchester Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Strategy Brett Flaugher was voted new Vice-chairman.

At SAAMI's February meeting, NSSF Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John Smith, was named as SAAMI's Treasurer. Larry Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel, serves as SAAMI Secretary.

“Joe Bartozzi's dedication to SAAMI is well known, and his experience with SAAMI and industry as a whole will be a huge asset to the organization in his role as chairman,” said SAAMI Executive Director Rick Patterson.

SAAMI, whose website is www.saami.org, is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and tasked with creating and publishing industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality; coordinating technical data; and promoting safe and responsible firearms use.