David joined Big Rock Sports in 2022 as President. He spent nearly 30 years with General Parts, Inc. (now Advance Auto Parts), where he served as president of their Carquest Division. David brings a comprehensive knowledge of warehouse operations, pricing, supply chain, and inventory management to Big Rock Sports. An avid outdoorsman, David grew up hunting and fishing in West Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from North Carolina State University. David resides with his family in Raleigh, NC.
Shooting Sports Brands
Fishing Brands
Our Story Timeline
1955
All Sports was founded by Arlo Elliott in Portland, OR. Soon after becoming a part of Big Rock Sports, the facility was moved to its current location in Clackamas, OR.
1965
Tom and Annette Carlson started a fishing tackle wagon jobber business out of their house in Brainerd, MN. By 1973, they’d moved into a 1,000-square-foot building in Sauk Rapids, MN and began operating as Carlson Sports. 
1969
Dick Henry founded Henry's Tackle Company in Selma, NC. He moved the company to Morehead City in 1971 and changed the name of the manufacturing division to Sea Striker. 
1979
To help meet the needs of the growing fishing industry on the West Coast, Autry’s Worm Ranch (AWR) was established in San Diego, CA. AWR supplied fishing tackle retailers with high-quality fishing baits. 
1986
By 1986, Warren Avis had brought All Sports, Carlson Sports and Henry’s into the Avis family. These three distribution companies would later form the foundation of Big Rock Sports. 
1991
Calcutta, originally a bait company, was born in Florida during a time when quality frozen bait was scarce. Making sure fishermen were armed with the “Best Damn Bait” was the company’s number one priority. 
1996
Big Rock Sports was born when a group of investors led by Adrian Holler acquired All Sports, Carlson Sports and Henry’s from Avis. Soon Big Rock brought Autry’s Worm Ranch into the fold. 
2001
MT Sports was established in Billings, MT to service the mountain states region with an extensive assortment of fishing, ice fishing, hunting, camping, electronics and optics. 2003
Big Rock Sports purchased Calcutta and expanded the brand into a variety of product categories, including fishing tools, tackle bags, sunglasses, rainwear and technical fishing apparel. 
2009
Big Rock Sports opened a cutting-edge 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Hamlet, NC. The warehouse distributes a full range of fishing, hunting, shooting, camping, electronics and boating supplies. 
2011
Big Rock Sports expanded its North American operations into Canada by acquiring Inland Pacific Distributors, Ltd., a Canadian sporting goods distributor. 
2011
As part of a global expansion, Big Rock created a partnership with Jarvis Walker, Australia’s largest distributor of fishing tackle and boating accessories. 
2012
Sea Striker and Star Rod brands came home to the Big Rock Sports family through a purchase from President and Founder Dick Henry. 
2013
Big Rock Sports announced a major restructuring of the company in order to manage accelerated growth. The company is divided into a Shooting Sports Division and a Fishing/Camping/Marine Division. 
2014
To enhance the restructuring process, Big Rock Sports launches a new brand that includes a redesigned website, all-new digital services and an updated Big Rock Sports logo. Get Endorsed
Who knows their products better than the retailers selling them? With these venues, you have the opportunity to allow retailers to become familiar with your brands, recognize their value and, most importantly, recommend them to customers.
Influence Purchases
Timing is vital when it comes to sales. We have numerous ways that you can get your brands in front of retailers at the perfect time, when they are looking to buy. From catalogs to flyers to website ads, the promotions you can be a part of always reflect the season, and we make sure to target what people are buying and when.
Build Brands
Building a brand and maintaining its awareness is key to having prolonged success, and Big Rock can help you do just that. We have several areas in which you will be able to garner recognition for your brands and products.
Why Become a Big Rock Vendor?
Big Rock Sports is the largest outdoor sporting goods distributor in North America. We service more than 15,000 fishing, ice fishing, hunting, shooting, camping and marine retailers in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and eight other countries. Because of this, we can offer an unparalleled opportunity for you to reach the most retailers through a variety of advertising venues. This is something you will only be able to get from Big Rock.
What is BIG?
BIG is an exclusive marketing program designed by Big Rock Sports to help companies advertise and promote their brands. We have multiple avenues you can use to capitalize on creating and maintaining your brand’s image and reputation among retailers.
BIG will also give you inside access to end-consumers allowing you to reach them directly. Take a look at all of the opportunities we offer.
Meet Our Retailers
Big Rock retailers have more fun than anybody, and these are the photos that prove it.
When they’re not busy selling the best firearms, fishing and camping equipment, our retailers head outside to do what they love best.
Click on a photo to enlarge it.
