Every year, the NRA's friends at the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) takes some time at the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to honor a person in the gun industry with its Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest honor. This year, Steve Hornady, President of Hornady Manufacturing Company, garnered the title. The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves by their longterm commitment to the success of the industry and by their support of NSSF’s mission to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. His story is a fascinating one.
A lifelong shooter, avid hunter and tireless advocate for the shooting sports industry, Steve entered the world in 1949—the same year that his father, Joyce, started the Hornady Manufacturing Company. During his youth, Steve and the pastimes of hunting and target shooting were never far apart, as he hunted prairie dogs and much more in the Cornhusker State.
Steve became head of the company under difficult circumstances when, tragically, in 1981, a plane crash ended the life of his father, as well as two Hornady employees. Steve immediately assumed leadership, and despite the devastating loss of the company’s founder, Hornady Manufacturing never faltered.
When it comes to being a sportsman, Steve has participated in just about every type of hunting and target shooting sport, but anyone who knows him can attest to his obsession with “Those Damn Sheep.” He has literally traveled the globe to hunt sheep and goats, as well as many other game animals, often in extreme, rugged conditions.
When not working at the Hornady factory in Grand Island, or attending an industry event or hunting in some remote location, Steve can always be found at his farm along the Platte River—his favorite place.
The company’s innovative product line and longterm success have brought Steve many accolades—including this month as part of the Hornady Family’s induction into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.
But among the qualities that make Steve worthy of the Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award are his unwavering advocacy for his industry, hunting and the shooting sports. Steve is known for stepping up to the plate when a leader is needed, as he did by becoming Founding Chairman of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Fund, which was formed to help defend the firearm industry against politically-motivated municipal lawsuits in the early 2000s.
Steve’s passion for helping to protect the things that mean so much to him can be seen in his list of lifetime memberships. He’s a “lifer” in the National Rifle Association, U.S. Practical Shooting Association, Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, the Archery Trade Association and both national wild sheep associations. He has served on the National Shooting Sports Foundation Board of Governors, NRA Board of Directors and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) board.
Steve and the company support local, national and international shooting and hunting organizations, such as the International Defensive Pistol Association, International Practical Shooting Confederation, Precision Rifle Series, National Rifle League, Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, as well as a variety of charity shooting competitions.
In 2005, the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence named Steve the Shooting Industry Man of the Year. In 2013, Steve was recognized by the National Rifle Association as the Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award recipient, in recognition of his dedication to protecting the Second Amendment.
The award was presented at NSSF’s Members Meeting during the industry’s annual trade show, the SHOT Show. “Steve’s dedication to our industry and to the shooting sports, as well as his generosity of time and support toward organizations working to protect our traditions, are known far and wide,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “I can think of no more worthy recipient of the NSSF Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award than Steve. It’s an honor to present this award to him.”
“I know that Steve does not look for recognitions like the NSSF Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award, but it’s easy to see why this award found him,” said Bartozzi.
The NSSF achievement award’s namesake, Ken Sedlecky, had a long career at Smith & Wesson, was inducted into the National Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame and was known for mentoring new youth and adult target shooters.
