A good work is rarely accomplished by one person. I’d like to start off by first thanking the HISTORY network for making Top Shot possible. Zach Behr and Heather DiRubba, in particular, have been great to work with.
Bass Pro Shops is the company that has truly changed my life. Since there aren’t many Bass Pro Shops in California, I had never heard of the brand until watching Top Shot. It’s amazing for me to think that I am now on their Pro Staff, traveling the country representing their brand of enjoying the great outdoors with friends and family. It is a relationship I know I will cherish for the rest of my life. John Acosta and Laura Edwards have been fantastic Bass Pro team members who have made the magic happen.
I have John to thank for introducing me to Kathryn Mennone, who in turn connected me with my editors, Jay Cassell and Lindsey Breuer, all of Skyhorse Publishing. Thank you to Kathryn, Jay, and Lindsey for believing in me and helping make my first book-writing experience such a pleasurable one.
I could not have won Top Shot without the support of my bosses and team members at Google. When I explained my Top Shot request for six weeks of unpaid leave, my director said, “Chris, I don’t completely understand what kind of competition this is, but it sounds like fun. We’ll see you when you get back.” In typical Google fashion, the company encouraged me to take some time off to go enjoy life outside of work and do something to change the world for the better.
A shout-out to my mentor of many years, David Krane of Google Ventures. I always valued your time, and I thank you for your guidance and advice.
To the Top Shot family, I never expected to be welcomed into an extended family. I thought that once Top Shot Season 4 aired, I wouldn’t see anyone from my own season, let alone any other season. It has been great to meet many of you in person at events on the road and to keep in touch on Facebook. A particular shout-out is in order for the Season 1 cast, who really went out on a limb not knowing if Top Shot was going to be a success or not. You guys (and gal) really blazed the trail that led to the show continuing, therefore allowing me an opportunity to change my life. Thank you.
Thank you to Dustin Ellermann and Iain Harrison. I am proud to call you both friends, and I am so thankful for your time and energy for the foreword and afterword.
Thank you to my former Google colleague Tony Lee, who introduced me to Derek Evjenth and David Rudolf at Second Media, a company that owns The Firearm Blog, where I have been on staff since July 2012. Thanks to Paul for helping me improve my articles and getting my feet wet in a new role.
The National Rifle Association has been amazing to work with. From Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and his assistant, Vanessa Beebe, to Lars Dalseide, John Howard, Samantha Olsen, and Nicole McMahon, I have really enjoyed getting to know all of you.
To NRA Instructors Denise King of Defensive Accuracy (www.DefensiveAccuracy.com) and Ted Lidie of NorCal Firearms Instruction (www.NorCalFi.com), thank you for being such great teachers and role models.
Ronnie Barrett and Ralph Vaughn of Barrett Manufacturing have also been very supportive and welcoming as I started my venture into the firearms industry as a newbie. They are two of the first industry contacts I made after quitting Google.
Gene Hoffman, Brandon Combs, and Jason Davis, collectively of the CalGuns Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition, have been great partners in providing me a channel to help promote the shooting sport in California and beyond.
At my home club, the Richmond Rod & Gun Club, thank you to Tom Frenkel, Vince Sargentini, and Brad Engmann (from Top Shot Season 1) for welcoming me to the community and for all your help.
I have only improved my shooting capabilities through learning from those smarter and more skilled than me. Craig “Sawman” Sawyer, Robert Vogel, Taran Butler, and Jack Dagger are some of the key people who have really helped up my game.
To Jeff Folloder of the NFA-TCA, thank you for all the machine gun fun! And to Mark McElroy, head football and surf coach at Saddleback College, thank you for all of your insight into sports psychology.
Finally, to Todd of Houlding Precision, Rebecca and Sandy of Master Lock, Captain Larry of FrogLube, Jack of ESP America, Rex of Bud’s Gun Shop, and Thomas and May of SureFire, I have thoroughly enjoyed your help and support in making this book a success, and for believing in me and my potential.
To everyone who has met me through Top Shot on the HISTORY network, thank you for supporting the show. Top Shot represents a celebration of the safe, fun, and responsible usage of firearms. I hope that just like me, watching the show and reading this book will encourage you to go out and shoot!