NRA Board of Directors 2027 Election Q&A | Freddie Blish

For those unaware, the National Rifle Association is run by a Board of Directors. The members of this Board are elected to their positions. Who elects them you may ask? You, the NRA membership! That’s right, we have the power to change the NRA’s leadership to help guide and shape the organization to be what we want it to be. This may come as a surprise to some of you, and that’s part of what today’s article is all about.

Freddie Blish for NRA Board of Directors 2027

One of the candidates up for election to the NRA Board of Directors is Freddie Blish. Some of you may know Freddie, from his work at Aimpoint to Gunsite, or his career with the Marines. I first met Freddie about four and half years ago at Gunsite Academy. He served as the Rangemaster for Ally Corless and I’d 250 Pistol, and we’ve stayed in contact ever since.

As someone who plays their part to help defend and expand the Second Amendment, I was thrilled when I saw Freddie announce his run for the NRA BoD. He’s got my vote, and I wanted to take some time for others to get to know him as well. With this in mind, I’ve sat down for an interview with Freddie Blish, allowing him to give the readers some insight into this candidate.

Q: For those unfamiliar, tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, etc.

I am a retired LtCol USMC and a combat veteran having led Marines at Platoon to Battalion level, as well as an operations and plans officer on high level commands. I have held senior management positions at Aimpoint Inc, LaRue Tactical, and ROBAR Companies, Inc. I am a Rangemaster at Gunsite Academy, as well as NRA and USCCA Certified Instructor.

I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Marine Corps Association. I am part of a Firearms Policy Coalition lawsuit, Elite Precision, Tim Herron, Freddie Blish V. ATF in the 5th District. The 5th District Court ruled in our favor to remove restrictions of purchasing handguns across state lines.

I enjoy training new and experienced shooters, assisting 2A organizations and initiatives like Armed Women of America, Friends of the NRA, the Arizona Rifle and Pistol Association. I also enjoy shooting USPSA, IDPA, PRC, and Trap, as well as hunting big game like Elk, Deer, and Bear.

Q: Do you have any previous experience with the NRA, whether that be as a member, an instructor, or otherwise?

I have been an NRA Life Member for over 30 years, as well as an NRA Certified Instructor in Basic Pistol, CCW, PPITH, PPOTH, RBV and Basic Rifle. I am also a USCCA Certified Instructor in CCHDF and Defensive Pistol Program.

Q: What made you interested in becoming a part of the NRA’s Board of Directors?

I have been a friend of LTC Robert K Brown, USAR (SF/A) retired for over 20 years. He was instrumental in shedding the light of transparency on the old Executive Leadership and old Board of Directors activities. He was always looking for like minded individuals to run for the board and had been urging me for the past 10 years to submit my name. Both my personal and professional obligations at the time kept me from doing so because if I committed to running then I didn’t want to be distracted. While we have had excellent success in the past two elections replacing impediments to transparency and fiduciary responsibilities, we still have more reform that needs to be done.

Q: Can you tell us what makes you qualified for this position?

My time as a leader of Marines and management positions within iconic companies within the firearms industry is a big plus. However, being a member of the NRA Board is more than making wise decisions based on experience, but it also requires rolling up your sleeves and being a good “staff officer.” When I was a Major, I was an Operations and Plans officer for 2/3 of the Operational Forces of the Marine Corps. Then I was a Military Occupation Sponsor at Headquarters Marine Corps responsible for overseeing the training, equipping, and assigning thousands of Marines.

So, over six years of my career involved doing the hard staff work that makes an organization successful. NRA Board Members participate on numerous committees essential to the operation of the NRA, thus putting in the time/staff work is vital. By the way, they do not get paid to do that work, it is all volunteer work. While it is important for promotional reasons, to elect celebrities etc. it is even more important to elect Board Members willing to donate their time to do the hard work.

Q: Are there any examples of what you think the NRA is doing well, and that you’d like to continue supporting if elected to the Board?

Currently the NRA Board is doing an excellent job reforming the organization. I truly believe our best days are ahead of us. We definitely need to work on the 3Rs – Recruit new members, Retain current members, and Re-Activate former members. All while remembering how we got here and put things in place that will prevent the organization from repeating these past mistakes. NRA members need to understand that our political clout doesn’t come from financial support of political campaigns, but from our membership numbers.

If you go to opensecrets.org you can see who financially supports politicians and political parties. The NRA is not very high on the list, it is on par with the National Education Association. Where we have clout is our membership numbers and our ability to get members to support and vote for people and parties that support the Second Amendment. Unfortunately, over the last five years we have shed nearly 2 million members. That impacts our clout in our communities, states, and nationally.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to change within the NRA if elected to the Board?

I am interested in seeing if it is viable to reduce the size of the Board and the best way to do it if it is. As I mentioned, Board Members volunteer their time on numerous committees. Some committees may not be necessary or could be combined, but someone still needs to do the staff work. A larger board can make an organization slow and plodding. A smaller board might make the organization agile and efficient. However, someone still needs to do the staff work.

Unlike a corporate board that is paid to make decisions that help direct the future or a company, as well as ensure there is no financial malfeasance, the NRA Board is more like a volunteer congress that does the work and votes on the best courses of action. So it is very important that decisions to reduce the board are done wisely with an understanding of 2nd and 3rd order effects.

Q: How can those interested best support you in your run for the Board of Directors of the NRA?

Please vote! The percentage of NRA members eligible to vote is only 3% to 7%. Additionally, if elected I have a rolodex of people with exceptional knowledge in areas that I am not. If elected, I will be reaching out to them for their input. I am also open to hearing from individuals that have unique insights and ideas about NRA activities and operations that could be better supervised and/or managed by the Board.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to cover that hasn’t been touched on?

I talked about the 3Rs, but I’d like to elaborate on the need to recruit new members through outreach programs like training. There are numerous training programs offered by the NRA that could absolutely help with rebuilding our reputation and recruit new members. We need to look at how we can update/revitalize some of those programs to reach students, single moms, who work the late shift in service industries like restaurants etc., and church groups. There are many individuals struggling to pay the bills, but are often the most susceptible to crime due location or hours they work. Programs like Refuse to Be a Victim offered pro bono would reach a large audience and could help develop interest/support for their civil liberty to defend themselves and others.

I want to thank you for your time to interview me. Again, for those eligible to vote, when your February issue of the NRA publications American Rifleman, American Hunter, and America’s 1st Freedom [arrive], please do so.

Closing NRA Board of Directors 2027 Election Q&A | Freddie Blish

Big thank you to Freddie, and good luck! I’ve maintained a relationship with the NRA for over a decade, and I’m glad to see some familiar faces making a run for the Board. Don’t forget to cast your vote, and support the Second Amendment!