LAT33.4230° N
LON86.7979° W
SECTORSTAFF-01
LIVE
/ The People
The folks behind the counter.
Hunters, anglers, archers, and weekend campers. These are the real folks behind the counter. Photos are on the way, so come meet them in person in the meantime.
Back to Who We Are
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Russell Watts
CEO/Owner
- Department
- Management
- Years at the store
- Since January 2026
- Bio
- What I love most about Mark's? Our team.
- Favorite product
- Guns, knives, and Grizzly Coolers
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Offshore fishing
- Area of expertise
- Management
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Orange Beach
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Ashley Watts
Owner
- Department
- Management
- Years at the store
- Since January 2026
- Bio
- We wanted to continue Marks legacy as a family owned business that provides the best products, and customer service. My favorite part about Marks is our employees. They are are like family! I also love seeing all the smiles on people faces when they walk in and see Sugar.
- Favorite product
- Turtleboxes because they sound soooo good! Columbia clothing because it’s comfortable and always in style. Our new Chasing Fin bracelets for men and women. They are unique sporty and stylish.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Fishing with my family at our fishing camp
- Area of expertise
- Sugar's Corner, Team Management, and Morale
- Favorite Alabama spot
- The Tombigbee River
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Luke Knight
Operations Manager
- Department
- Management
- Years at the store
- 4 months
- Bio
- I enjoy working here because it’s great working with people who are passionate about the outdoors.
- Favorite product
- Turtle box speakers - great sound and love that you can connect to multiple speakers at one time. Mathew’s bow - Mark Smith in the Archery department is passionate about getting customers set up to succeed. Mark’s Service department is going to take care of you. Whether it’s our in-house Gun Smith or getting it sent out repair. Summit climbers - they are comfortable to hunt in and I enjoy doing my homework scouting and getting set up to take a big buck.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- I love visiting Auburn and going to any college event. It’s where I met my wife and I usually get the opportunity to catch up with friends I haven’t seen in a while.
- Area of expertise
- Inventory
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Auburn Alabama
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Rick Leventry
General Manager
- Department
- Management
- Years at the store
- 4 years
- Bio
- I work at Mark's Outdoors because I enjoy the people.
- Favorite product
- Swarovski optics, Fierce Rifles, and Browning safes
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Hunting at my lease
- Area of expertise
- Rifles, optics & safes
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Lamar County
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Vaughn Jones
Assistant Store Manager – Fishing
- Department
- Fishing
- Years at the store
- +11 years (2011–2021, back since 2025)
- Bio
- I started at Mark's because I love hunting & fishing and wanted a job in those industries. I stayed — and came back — because I love the job, retail sales, and the people.
- Favorite product
- A Rifle/Shotgun/Handgun/Bow, a rod & reel with tackle, a fire safe, Costa sunglasses, & Ballistol
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Deer Hunting & Fly Fishing
- Area of expertise
- Retail Sales & Customer Services
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Smith Lake
-
Chris Watts
Digital Media Manager
- Department
- Marketing
- Years at the store
- Since May 2026
- Bio
- My favorite part of working at Mark's is the sense of community — both within our store and with the customers we serve. I started here because of my passion for the outdoors, and I love connecting with our community on a larger scale through our platforms.
- Favorite product
- Sitka bags- great for hiking and camping.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Off-roading with my friends in Canyonlands
- Area of expertise
- Social media & marketing
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Lake Martin
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Truman Muska
Intern
- Department
- Marketing
- Years at the store
- Since May
- Bio
- I handle marketing and web for Mark's Outdoors, so this site is my fault (so sorry). I am a marketing student at Samford University, Eagle Scout, and the guy who walks around the store with a camera. Raised in the Greatest State, Texas. Most weekends I'm skiing, hiking, or outside doing something that requires way more gear than it should. Above all of it, I'm just a guy trying to point people back to Christ and take good care of the ones He puts in front of me.
- Favorite product
- Any and all of the knives
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Camping
- Area of expertise
- Website development
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Monte Sano State Park
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Duffy Towey
Safes Department Head
- Department
- Safes
- Years at the store
- 5 weeks
- Bio
- I work at Mark's because I enjoy the outdoors and being around like-minded people — and getting to work at a store that's been a staple in the community for almost 50 years.
- Favorite product
- Safes — it's important to protect what matters.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- On the boat, fishing
- Area of expertise
- Safes & security
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Orange Beach
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Bill Oglesby
Firearms Department Head
- Department
- Firearms
- Years at the store
- 19 1/2 Years
- Bio
- I work at Marks Outdoors because I like helping people find the right product that fits their application best.
- Favorite product
- Swarovski optics. Best for the money. Staccato handguns . Awesome and reliable. Fierce Firearms most accurate Best Buy going. Iray thermals easily to operate and awesome images.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Shooting at the range
- Area of expertise
- Gun Counter
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Hunting camp and shoot long range.
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Randy Yerkes
Knives Department Head
- Department
- Knives
- Years at the store
- 27 years
- Bio
- I love working here because it's a family-owned business with a lot of loyal local customers.
- Favorite product
- Knives, guns, and flashlights
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Taking the grandkids to the beach
- Area of expertise
- Knives, firearms & gear
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Gulf Shores
-
Mark Smith
Archery Department Head / Lead Tech
- Department
- Archery
- Years at the store
- 8 years
- Bio
- I work here because I truly enjoy helping people get what they want. I'm not here to sell anything — I'm here to help you be ready to make the most of your next hunting adventure. My favorite thing is setting up a new hunter and seeing their joy when they're successful.
- Favorite product
- A bow, a saddle kit, a good knife, and a set of First Lite camo
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Hunting, scouting, camping — or just praying
- Area of expertise
- Archery & bow setup
- Favorite Alabama spot
- The woods
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Randy Allen
Clothing Department Head
- Department
- Clothing
- Years at the store
- 16 years
- Bio
- I enjoy working at Mark's Outdoors because of the people I work with.
- Favorite product
- Coastal Cotton, Danner boots, and Kuhl clothing — high quality without being overpriced.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Exploring the mountains near me
- Area of expertise
- Outdoor apparel & footwear
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Any of Alabama's mountain areas
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Benjamin Scoggins “Ben”
Ammunition Department and Scope Mounting Head
- Department
- Ammunition / Service
- Years at the store
- 14 years
- Bio
- Meeting and talking with a lot of great people is why I love to work here.
- Favorite product
- Federal Terminal Ascent ammo for deer hunting,Leupold scopes and 7mm-08 rifles are hard to beat.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Deer Hunting
- Area of expertise
- Ammunition / Scope Mounts
- Favorite Alabama spot
- My hunting club
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Joe Phillips
Accessories Department Head
- Department
- Service and Accessories
- Years at the store
- 15 years
- Bio
- I enjoy working here because I'm an outdoorsman.
- Favorite product
- Tactacam cameras, gunsmithing service, and turkey calls
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Turkey hunting
- Area of expertise
- Gun service & accessories
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Anywhere there's turkey hunting
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Timmy Bailey
Disposition Department Head
- Department
- Firearms Acquisition
- Years at the store
- 6 Years
- Bio
- I enjoy working here because I love working with our awesome crew of guys and gals.
- Favorite product
- I’m a proponent of carrying a knife everyday and my go to is the Protech Malibu. The turtle box speakers are awesome and of course a Mark’s Outdoors comfort color Tshirt
- Favorite outdoor activity
- I love going out and hitting the trails.
- Area of expertise
- Firearms transfer
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Oak Mountain State Park
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Russ Sockwell
Gunsmith Department Head
- Department
- Service
- Years at the store
- 33 years
- Bio
- I work at Mark's Outdoors because I enjoy figuring out why something doesn't work.
- Favorite product
- Leupold scopes, Shooter's Choice solvent, and Hornady ammo
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Taking my kids to the hunting club for deer season
- Area of expertise
- Gunsmithing & firearms
- Favorite Alabama spot
- The hunting club
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Don Fountain
Sales Associate
- Department
- Firearms
- Years at the store
- 6 years
- Bio
- I love working here because of my coworkers, plain and simple — and wanting to help others take care of themselves.
- Favorite product
- Springfield handguns and Leupold optics
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Hunting
- Area of expertise
- Handguns & optics
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Hunting club in Barbour County
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Dan Landers
Archery Tech & Sales Associate
- Department
- Archery
- Years at the store
- 2½ years
- Bio
- I like working here because I enjoy helping customers pursue their passion for the outdoors.
- Favorite product
- Benchmade knives, Glock handguns, and Mathews bows
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Visiting caves and state parks
- Area of expertise
- Archery & bow tuning
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Alabama's caves and state parks
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Jon Norris
Sales Associate
- Department
- Fishing
- Years at the store
- 11 years (plus a stint in 1983–84)
- Bio
- I love working here because of the customers.
- Favorite product
- Shimano Metanium reel, Phenix M1 rod, Hideup lures, and Coosa Cotton tees & hats
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Fishing
- Area of expertise
- Fishing rods, reels & tackle
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Lake Guntersville
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Nathan Tutor
Sales Associate
- Department
- Firearms
- Years at the store
- 2+ years
- Bio
- I enjoy working at Mark's Outdoors because I have the opportunity to talk about my passion, guns, with customers.
- Favorite product
- As many guns as possible — they're awesome.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Practicing and competing
- Area of expertise
- Firearms & competitive shooting
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Brock's Gap Training Center
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Massey Watts
Cashier
- Department
- Front Counter
- Years at the store
- 6 months
- Bio
- I love working here because I love the family atmosphere — I always feel like I fit in.
- Favorite product
- Turtle boxes, sunglasses, and a fun Mark's t-shirt
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Time at the lake with family and friends
- Area of expertise
- Costumer Service
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Lake Martin
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Shellbi Rainwater Service Tech
Photo pending- Department
- Archery
- Years at the store
- 3 Months
- Bio
- I really enjoy my role at the company, as it allows me to engage with the outdoors while being part of a supportive and vibrant community.
- Favorite product
- I highly recommend our repair services, as we prioritize the quality of your items. Our commitment ensures that you can have peace of mind, knowing that any issues will be expertly addressed without concern.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- One of my favorite spots in Alabama is Smith Lake, where I love to fish. The vibrant atmosphere and beautiful scenery create a relaxing time for a great day outdoors!
- Area of expertise
- Archery gear
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Smith Lake
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Ethan Lowery
Sales Associate
- Department
- Fishing
- Years at the store
- 9 months
- Bio
- I enjoy working here because I get to meet really cool people.
- Favorite product
- Coike baits (great year-round) and jigs (perfect when the bite is slow)
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Fishing
- Area of expertise
- Fishing tackle & technique
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Lay Lake
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Jackson Yates
Sales Associate
- Department
- Fishing
- Years at the store
- 1.5 Years
- Bio
- I enjoy working at Mark's Outdoors because it’s feels like another home and we are all family.
- Favorite product
- Rods, reels and tackle- all about the fishing set up
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Fishing
- Area of expertise
- Coike baits
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Alabama Lakes
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Kim Harris Accounting
Photo pending- Department
- Accounting
- Years at the store
- 7½ years
- Bio
- I enjoy working at Mark's Outdoors because of the awesome people I work with!
- Favorite product
- Sunglasses, guns, and clothing
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Vacationing with family
- Area of expertise
- Organization and Numbers
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Orange Beach
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Morgan Chastain Human Resource Representative
Photo pending- Department
- Human Resources
- Years at the store
- 2 years
- Bio
- I enjoy working at Mark's because I enjoy working in the outdoor industry.
- Favorite product
- Mathews Arc 34, Glock 45 Gen 6, and Maui Jim sunglasses
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Being out on the beach all day
- Area of expertise
- Archery & shooting sports
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Gulf Shores
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Hudson Lee
Sales Associate
- Department
- Fishing and Safes
- Years at the store
- Since Summer of 2026
- Bio
- I enjoy working at Mark's Outdoors because I am getting the opportunity to learn from my fellow employees and I am learning how to be a great salesman on the floor.
- Favorite product
- We have a really cool selection of guns here, my favorite are the Glocks
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Playing soccer with my friends
- Area of expertise
- Safe Room
- Favorite Alabama spot
- Soccer Fields
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Hazel
Store Greeter
- Department
- Sugar's Corner
- Years at the store
- Since June 2026
- Bio
- I love working at the store with my best friend Sugar, and I love meeting everyone who comes in!
- Favorite product
- My favorite product in the store is the Sport Dog Remote Trainer because whenever I am wearing the collar I know my mom is close by.
- Favorite outdoor activity
- Swimming
- Area of expertise
- Zoomies
- Favorite Alabama spot
- The Dog Park at my house.
