Patrick Giles

The Wyoming State Shooting Complex Joint Powers Board has accomplished one of its main early tasks in providing leadership for the project south of Cody. 

At a Thursday meeting, the board spent roughly an hour in executive session before unanimously voting to extend an offer to Patrick Giles of Cody as the complex’s first chief executive officer. That offer was accepted, board chair Glenn Ross announced Monday afternoon, and the group is “thrilled” to have Giles as the new CEO.

Giles is an experienced firearms-industry executive, competitive shooter and U.S. Army Reserve veteran. His leadership experience, industry credibility, and operational track record made him the clear choice to lead the public–private partnership into its next major phase, Ross said. Giles was chosen among 40 to 50 applicants, who were whittled down to four finalists in November. 

In a statement, Giles said he was both “honored and excited” to be selected by the board.

“I look forward to transforming the vision into an enduring reality which showcases the incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation in our great state for shooting sports enthusiasts to enjoy,” he said.

Giles will lead the development of the Wyoming State Shooting Complex, which is designed for national-level shooting sports competitions and to be a driver of economic impact and tourism growth across Park County and the state. As CEO, his responsibilities will include guiding the complex through final design and into the construction phase, advancing statewide stakeholder engagement, and forging national partnerships essential for securing top-tier competitive shooting events.

Giles brings more than a decade of senior leadership experience across the firearms and manufacturing sectors, including roles at Gunwerks/Revic in Cody, ZEV Technologies, and, most recently, Axenox Construction Solutions in Powell. His background includes directing large-scale operations, driving multimillion-dollar revenue growth, leading cross-functional teams, managing P&L responsibilities, and spearheading organizational expansion efforts, the board said.

He also has more than a decade of competitive shooting experience in various disciplines such as PRS, NRL, 3 Gun, USPSA, and sporting clays. He maintains strong ties to the region, making his home in Cody, where he’s raising his family.

“We are excited to have Patrick [Giles] join the project as CEO, to bring it to life for the citizens of Park County and Wyoming, with his vision for the complex, knowledge of the firearms industry, and experience with successful startups,” said Danny Michael, board member and curator of the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. 

Michael said the complex’s design, scale, and industry relevance will place Wyoming firmly on the map for major national shooting sports organizations seeking a world-class venue.

The CEO will manage a small amount of staff at the site once it is completed, though for the moment, Giles and an administrative assistant are the only two people on the payroll.

The hires come at a crucial time, as board members on Thursday made a number of decisions to prepare for construction at the property south of Cody off Wyo. Highway 120. That includes moving forward on designing the interior roads, receiving bids to drill wells, and working to solidify the final layout of the complex so work can begin on the ground to prepare for building.

New board member

The board recently welcomed a new shooting complex board member, Phillip Velayo, who’s no stranger to the range. The former Marine Scout sniper instructor who grew up in Alaska is now an instructor and professional competitive shooter based in Cody. 

Velayo was appointed by the city to replace Jim Saubier, who has headed the design committee but resigned last month due to other commitments.

Velayo said he’s been raising his family in Cody for the last eight years and is excited to be on the committee. 

“I’ve seen many different venues as a trainer, as a world class competitor,” he said. “And so … what appeals to me, when I go to these venues, is like, ‘OK, how can we bring that to the state complex?’ So I’m excited to be a part of the board.”