Reader Instrument Solutions Adds Former Wisconsin Sheriff to Business Development, Executive Team
Michael J Reader, President and Owner of Reader Instrument Solutions (RPS), together with affiliates China Instrument Parts, Iseli Instrument, and PointBlank Instrument, announced the addition of new Business Development and Executive Team member, Kurt Picknell. Picknell, former Walworth County Sheriff and lifelong Wisconsin resident, will join the team as the Vice President of Business Development, effective January 8th, 2024.
“After 35 years dedicated to serving the public in law enforcement, Kurt’s retirement from the force this past year opened a new chapter into his professional career opportunities. With his background in law enforcement, including as a former firearms and vehicle instructor, and ultimately a proven leader of people, we are excited to welcome Kurt, who is well-positioned to support our business development efforts, especially in the firearms and military industries”, says Reader. “As we continue to integrate the various entities under RPS seven months post-acquisition, Kurt’s role will be instrumental in ensuring a cohesive and efficient transition, fostering business growth, streamlining our sales pipeline, and enhancing our presence in key markets.”
Picknell’s distinguished career in law enforcement and community service has equipped him with an exceptional blend of leadership, training, and organizational skills that are expected to be invaluable assets in driving the company’s strategic initiatives and business growth.
“For Reader Instrument Solutions, the historical success of China Instrument Parts and Iseli Instrument is very impressive and critically important to understand that to achieve growth, we must focus on, first, the direction of where the businesses are going”, says Picknell. “Entering this new role, I am reminded of a quote from famed hockey legend, Wayne Gretsky: ‘I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been’. I look forward to bringing my real-world experience and building upon the legacies of both manufacturing icons here in Southeast Wisconsin.
Picknell is still currently active in various law enforcement initiatives, including as an active police academy instructor at Gateway Technical College, training cadets on police vehicle courses, which he has instructed for 26 years.
Picknell’s community service over the years has seen appointments by both former and current Wisconsin Governors Scott Walker and Tony Evers to various boards including the State of Wisconsin’s Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) and Homeland Security Council. Picknell also has served as both a board member and former President of the Wisconsin Chapter’s FBI National Academy Associates.
The announcement of Picknell to the Business Development and Executive Teams at Reader Instrument Solutions comes as China Instrument Parts, a division of RPS, emerges from from its third consecutive year of exhibition at SHOT Show 2024, China’s largest annual trade show for the shooting sports, hunting, outdoor recreation, and firearm manufacturing industries.
