American Knife & Tool Institute
June 7, 2007
Goldie Russell Becomes Fifth AKTI President
Atlanta, GA --- At the 10th annual meeting of the American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI), Goldie
Russell was elected as the fifth president of the knife industry’s advocacy group, as well as the
first woman president. AKTI was formed in 1997 as the first-ever knife industry organization
representing all segments of the industry … from individual knife owners to retailers to distributors
to manufacturers.
Goldie Russell is the CEO and President of A.G. Russell Knives, Inc., Rogers, Arkansas. The
company was founded by her husband, A.G. Russell, in 1964. Mrs. Russell has been involved with
the company since 1989. In 2005 she and A.G. were individually designated Arkansas Small
Business Persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The company operates a retail store in Rogers, has a significant internet catalog business and is
one of the industry’s largest direct mail sellers of sporting knives and other merchandise for men
with outdoor interests.
“AKTI has a long history of successfully working for the knife rights of individual owners and every
other segment of the industry,” Russell said. “We are moving forward to draft and pass legislation
in several states where knife possession in various forms is considered a criminal offense. Our
recent repeal of the 3 ½” blade limit in Arkansas is a perfect example of what we do. In our history,
AKTI has supported legislation that has protected at least 21 million individual knife owners,” she
added.
Jeff Goddard, Director of Sales & Marketing at Kershaw Knives, Tualatin, Oregon, was elected
AKTI’s new Vice President. Both officers will have two-year terms. In 2009, Goddard will then move
up as the organization’s president.
Goddard, an 18-year veteran of the knife industry, has been with Kershaw for eight years. The
company manufactures sporting and military knives and Shun household cutlery.
“I am passionate about the issues that AKTI deals with on our behalf,” Goddard said. “We need
even more involvement from more individual knife owners and more companies who depend on
this industry for their livelihood. We’re protecting the rights of everyone to carry knives and I know
we will move forward aggressively in that area in the coming years. For example, our Grassroots
Supporter program will enlist the help of potentially thousands of new supporters. We have found
that lawmakers respond to letters, phone calls and emails from knife owners. Please go to our
website and register so you will be ready when we issue our next call to share your opinions with
lawmakers,” he concluded.
