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David McCartney – President

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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.

Our Story Timeline

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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.