San Diego, Calif. - The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence has announced the 2011 final nominees in its service award categories. The Academy considered a record 45 entries in four service award categories before selecting 13 for the final ballot.
Final nominees for the Citizenship award, which honors a company or dealership that most exemplifies the traits of service to the community, are Ellett Brothers, Hunter's Specialties and Kimber.
The Manufacturer of the Year award nominees are ATK Commercial Products, Hodgdon Powder Co., Hornady and Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Final nominees for the Distributor of the Year award are Brownells, Ellett Brothers and Sports South.
The Shooting Industry award honors individuals who have made valuable contributions to the shooting industry through product design, industry representation or marketing expertise. Final nominees are Mark DeYoung, of ATK; Bob Nosler, of Nosler; and Larry Potterfield, of MidwayUSA.
The Academy, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, recognizes excellence in design, innovation and service to the industry. The 500-member voting Academy includes manufacturers, distributors, executives, storefront dealers and outdoor writers.
Nominees for the 10 product award categories have been selected, but are still pending production verification. Final product nominees will be announced the week of May 1. Academy members will then be asked to cast a second, final ballot to determine the 2011 award recipients in each of the 14 categories.


The 2011 award recipients will be announced in conjunction with the Shooting Industry Masters on July 22 in Bowling Green, Ky.
"We're excited to celebrate 20 years of unique industry collaboration through the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence," said Randy Molde, Academy director.
For more information on the 20th annual Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Awards, including all 2011 award entries and Academy member application, visit http://www.shootingindustry.com/02pages/SIAE.html. Contact Elizabeth O'Neill, Academy of Excellence coordinator, at 1-888-315-3641 or elizabeth@shootingindustry.com.
