Richard Weiser

My competitive shooting experience started in high school, where I was part of the Varsity Rifle Team at West Forsyth for four seasons. During this time, my high school friend Gabe DiCola, a highly decorated marksman, mentored me and instilled a true passion for the sport. This early mentorship laid the foundation for my lifelong involvement in shooting. I owe SGM Eugene Leadbetter, US Army (Retired), a massive debt of gratitude for the countless hours we spent fine-tuning my skills. While I crafted my skills as an athlete, I was unaware he was teaching me lessons about patience, clearing your mind, and steadying yourself under intense pressure that I would later apply to everyday situations.

After high school, I continued my passion by coaching my daughter from age eight, guiding her to become an NCAA Rifle Athlete at Jacksonville State University. When she joined the JROTC at West Forsyth, primarily to be part of the rifle team, I volunteered to coach alongside Senior Army Instructor Major Richard Sugg (Retired), US Army. We worked together to revitalize a team that had been dormant for years and remarkably led them to the National Championships within four years.

After my daughter graduated, I faced the emotional challenge of coaching at West Forsyth without her. It was a crossroads, but my passion for the sport and coaching never wavered. My friend, CMSgt Doug McIntyre, offered me a new path at this pivotal moment. He invited me to coach with him at Ronald Reagan Raiders AFJROTC Rifle Team in Pfafftown, NC.

NRA Certified Level 1 Rifle Coach and Basic JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course

I am happily married and a proud parent to two children, Debi and Briana. My love for German Shepherd dogs is a significant part of who I am. Post-retirement, I aspire to breed and train service dogs for the K-9\'s for Wounded Warrior\'s Project – a cause close to my heart. My life revolves around my family, my country, my passion for shooting and my enthusiasm for technology. This blend of personal interests and professional goals defines who I am and drives my ambitions. I am the Full Stack Architect for Scopos, the creators of Orion, Athena and Rezults. I am deeply involved in revolutionizing the sport of shooting through innovative technology. Our mission at Scopos is to transform shooting into a spectator sport by integrating advanced technologies.

The decision to pursue the role of State Director for North Carolina was deeply influenced by my late friend and the previous director, Harry Flynn. Harry and I often discussed the future of marksmanship in North Carolina, and he consistently encouraged me to consider taking over when he stepped down. Our conversations laid a strong foundation for the direction we both envisioned for the sport in our state. Before his passing, Harry expressed two wishes: to see my daughter Debi repeat as the North Carolina American Legion State Champion, achieving an unprecedented feat, and for me to step into the role of State Director. His belief in my passion for the sport and my ideas for elevating its recognition in the state was unwavering. Unfortunately, he did not live to see either achieved.

Taking on this role was not only about honoring Harry\'s wishes but also about fulfilling a personal goal to positively influence the sport, particularly among the youth. I am a staunch advocate for gun safety and deeply appreciate how the CMP\'s initiatives emphasize safety as a paramount concern. Becoming State Director represented an opportunity to drive these values and continue shaping the sport of marksmanship in a way that aligns with Harry\'s vision and my own.

My vision for the future of junior shooting in North Carolina centers around establishing the state as a premier destination for the sport of marksmanship. A key goal is to expand and create more junior shooting programs across the state, with a particular focus on precision air and smallbore disciplines, where we currently see a lack of clubs and matches. To facilitate this, I aim to create a central website that will serve as a hub for coaches, match directors, range locations and a plethora of other resources vital to the sport in North Carolina.

While continuing my close work with JROTC programs, I am also eager to extend my support to all junior shooting programs across the state. Another significant objective is to increase the enrollment of athletes in these programs. Alongside this, I am determined to enhance the visibility of the sport in the media, raising its profile and drawing more attention and support to our young marksmen and markswomen. These efforts are all directed towards fostering a vibrant, well-supported and highly visible junior shooting community in North Carolina.