Leland Nichols in

Leland Nichols

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Chief Business Development Officer at Whisperstrike
📍 West Simsbury, Connecticut, United States

Leland is a C-level executive with decades of experience leading iconic brands in the outdoor recreation and firearms industries, such as Remington, Smith & Wesson, and Airhead Sports Group. He has a strong background in M&A, business development, and increasing shareholder value. People who have worked with him describe him as an exceptional and strategic leader.

Leland is passionate about the outdoors and is a dedicated conservationist. He serves on the board of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation, which works to promote the cultural acceptance of hunting, fishing, and shooting sports. He enjoys a range of outdoor activities, including competitive shooting and hunting.

He has a notable history of launching highly successful products, including leading the launch of the DeWalt power tool brand and Smith & Wessons M&P pistol and rifle series.

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Experience
40 Years
Current Role
Chief Business Development Officer
Job Level
Leadership
Location
West Simsbury, Connecticut, United States
Personality Overview

How Leland shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

Behavioral traits and communication patterns that shape how this person evaluates opportunities, builds trust, and makes decisions in professional settings.

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Priorities

Topics Leland cares about

Outdoor Industry Leadership
Has served as CEO, COO, and President for multiple major companies in the firearms, water sports, and outdoor recreation sectors like Smith & Wesson and Airhead Sports Group.
Increasing Shareholder Value
His professional profile consistently emphasizes a strong track record of creating and increasing shareholder value through strategic leadership, mergers, and acquisitions.
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Career

Work history

12-2025
Chief Business Development Officer
Whisperstrike
10-2025
Board Member
Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation
12-2022 - 7-2025
Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer
Orchid LLC
12-2021 - 10-2022
Chief Operating Officer | Board of Directors
Aqua-Leisure Recreation, LLC
10-2018 - 12-2021
President and CEO | Board of Directors
Airhead Sports Group
In the press

Media appearances

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Education
1996 - 1996
Certificate
Thunderbird School of Global Management
1981 - 1984
AB
The University of Georgia
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

Dominance, influence, steadiness, and calculativeness scores with guidance on how this person prefers to communicate and decide.

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