HARTFORD, CT (April 21, 2023) – Orchid and Williams Mullen’s Firearms Industry Group are pleased to announce over 20 executives and personnel from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will attend the upcoming 2023 Firearms Industry Conference (FIC), held in Atlanta, May 2-3, 2023. Notable ATF attendees include Deputy Director Marvin Richardson, directors and chiefs of Office of Enforcement Programs & Services divisions and branches, and special agents from the local Atlanta Field Division.

“Now in its ninth year, the Firearms Industry Conference is our opportunity to connect all sides of the shooting sports industry,” said Orchid CEO Jon Rydberg. “By bringing federal agencies, industry leadership, and FFL professionals together, we achieve greater understanding of how we can all work together to navigate compliance, technology and operations. We’re grateful for ATF’s continued support of FIC and are excited for attendees to hear and learn from ATF leadership again this year.”

Throughout the two-day FIC Main Event, ATF personnel will lead multiple compliance and regulatory learning sessions, address attendee questions during interactive roundtables, and meet with FFLs in pre-scheduled private meetings. Attendees who wish to discuss confidential matters with ATF should contact Marianna Mitchem at marianna.mitchem@atf.gov for availability.

ATF leadership and personnel attending FIC 2023 include:

ATF Executive Staff

• Marvin Richardson, Deputy Director

Office of Enforcement Programs & Services (EPS)

• Matthew Varisco, Assistant Director
• Andrew Lange, Deputy Assistant Director

Firearms & Explosives Industry Division (FEID)

• Marianna Mitchem, Chief
• Austin Pence, Program Manager, Firearms Industry Programs Branch (FIPB)
• Gary Griffin, Program Manager, Firearms Industry Programs Branch (FIPB)
• Michael O’Lena, Chief, Explosives Industry Programs Branch (EIPB)

Firearms & Ammunition Technology Division (FATD)

• William (Bill) Ryan, Acting Chief
• Daniel Hoffman, Chief, Firearms Technology Industry Services Branch

Firearms & Explosives Services Division (FESD)

• Gary Taylor, Chief
• Rebecca Sinclair, Branch Chief, National Firearms Act Branch (NFA)
• Max Kingery, Chief, Firearms & Explosives Import Branch (FEIB)

National Firearms Act Division (NFA)

• Amy Stely, Chief

Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA)

• Vivian Chu, Chief

Office of Field Operations

• Curtis Gilbert, Deputy Assistant Director, Industry Operations 

Atlanta Field Division

• Ben Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge
• Alicia Jones, Assistant Special Agent in Charge
• Scena Webb, Director of Industry Operations
• Nathan Bray, Special Agent, Criminal Enforcement
• James Dixon, Special Agent, Criminal Enforcement
• Darin Crowder, Special Agent, Criminal Enforcement

Office of the Chief Counsel

• Benjamin Hiller, Attorney, Firearms & Explosives Law Division
• Eileen Husselbaugh, Attorney, Firearms & Explosives Law Division

ATF will also be joined by their counterparts at FBI NICS, BIS and DDTC:

FBI NICS Section

• Jill Montgomery, Unit Chief, NICS Business & Liaison Unit
• EricMoore, Liaison Specialist, Business Relations Team

Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS)

• Frank Trevino, Licensing Officer, Nuclear Missile Technology Division

Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)

• Tom Trotto, Senior Defense Trade Analyst, Light Weapons Systems Division

“The attendance of key regulatory leaders and policymakers is an invaluable resource everyone looks forward to at FIC,” said Camden Webb and Chuck James, partners and co-chairs of Williams Mullen’s Firearms Industry Group. “Following recent rulings impacting all industry members, we look forward to engaging with ATF, and other agencies, to absorb their guidance on how to adhere to new regulations.”

To view the FIC 2023 conference agenda, learn about silent auction prizes, and register your team, visit orchidadvisors.com/FIC. Industry members who register for FIC On-Air by April 21 can get a second virtual registration for free with promo code ‘4473CLOUD’ at checkout.

About Orchid LLC
Celebrating 10 years of serving the shooting sports industry, Orchid and partner firm, FFL Law, offer leading FFL software, firearms-friendly payment processing, and legal and regulatory services for the firearms, ammunition and explosives industries. Orchid’s POS, eCommerce, and regulatory applications, including Orchid eBound, Orchid FEL Book, and Orchid eState, accompany its expert services in ERP integration, firearms/explosives regulation, state gun laws and Firearm & Ammunition Excise Tax advisory. Get started today at orchidadvisors.com.

About Williams Mullen
Williams Mullen is a regional, full-service law firm with offices across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The firm’s Firearms Industry Group helps industry members navigate legal issues from regulatory compliance to e-commerce development, financing needs, and interest from the venture capital world. In addition, Williams Mullen attorneys provide advice and counsel in matters involving Import/Export Controls, White Collar & Investigations, Data Protection & Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property, Employment Law, Government Contracting and legal aspects of social media marketing. Learn how Williams Mullen can assist you at williamsmullen.com.

Press Contact:
Joe Kriz
Communications Manager, Orchid LLC
jkriz@joinorchid.com