OA Defense, makers of the 2311 add Heather Eckhardt to leade Business Development

January 19, 2026

Building a Great Team at OA Defense

January 19, 2026 /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – OA Defense is proud to announce that they have named Heather Eckhardt as the National Vice President of Business Development.

Based in North Carolina, OA Defense is an American firearms manufacturer grounded in faith, family, and freedom.

They believe building world-class firearms starts with innovation, disciplined execution, and the conviction to do things the right way.

” Heather is an amazing leader with a reputation for building and leading some of the most impactful business development teams in the industry”, Tony Pignato, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer for OA Defense, “She was my first choice to build and lead this team to success”.

Heather is a firearms industry executive known for high-output business development, dealer-first growth strategy, and turning field intelligence into clean execution. She brings over 15 years of industry experience, backed by a competitive shooting legacy that keeps her grounded in real performance, real customer expectations, and what it takes to earn trust in a premium market.

“I am truly honored to join OA Defense,” said Heather Eckhardt. “The people behind this brand are exceptional. They lead with character, take pride in their craft, and support each other every day. The OA Defense 2311® is next-level innovation, a platform that pushes boundaries and sets a new standard in performance and reliability the moment you shoot it. I’m here to help create something enduring: strong dealer partnerships, relentless execution, and a culture where we push hard for each other and for the customer.”