Civilian Marksmanship Program Announces Strategic Leadership Transition
Posted on: Jul 31, 2026
Jerry O’Keefe to Serve as CMP Executive Chairman; Fabian Lobera NamedChief Executive Officer
CAMP PERRY, OH — The Board of Directors of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) announces a strategic evolution of its corporate leadership structure. Effective 1 Oct 2026, current Board Chairman and CEO Jerry O’Keefe will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of CMP’s Board of Directors. Fabian Lobera, CMP’s current Chief Operating Officer, will become CMP’s next Chief Executive Officer. The transition, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors, follows a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process.
In this continuing capacity as Executive Chairman, O’Keefe will focus on high-level strategic vision, long-term corporate governance, CMP strategic growth initiatives and key stakeholder engagement. This planned transition is designed to separate the daily operational management of the organization from its long-term strategic direction. It comes at a time when the organization has exceeded its goals and embarks on new growth.
O’Keefe states, “It has been a profound privilege to be the Chairman and CEO of the CMP and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company and the committed and talented group of leaders that serve on the Board of Directors. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such skilled and dedicated professionals working to support our critical Federally-chartered mission to promote marksmanship and firearms safety with the focus on youth. I assure you that as Executive Chairman I remain fully committed to the tremendous workforce of the CMP and our loyal competitors and customers.”
Board Vice-Chair Dr. Carmen Allegra states, “Jerry O’Keefe’s leadership of the CMP over the last four years as both Chairman and CEO has been truly remarkable. The complete organizational and technological transformation of the CMP has been breathtaking and postures the CMP for future success in a way that could not have been envisioned four years ago. Jerry laid the groundwork for the ongoing significant expansion in both surplus firearms sales and new state-of-the-art CMP ranges and programs. Speaking for the full CMP Board of Directors we thank Jerry and look forward to his continued strategic leadership as Executive Chairman.”
A proven Leader in Marksmanship and Finance, Fabian Lobera brings more than 30 years of experience across finance, operations, and business leadership to the CEO role. Currently serving as the CMP’s Chief Operating Officer, Lobera has overseen vital functions including Finance, Human Resources, Customer Service, and Administrative Compliance.
O’Keefe continues, “Fabian Lobera played a primary role in the CMP’s transformation over the past several years and is the perfect choice to lead CMP into the future. Speaking for the full CMP Board of Directors, we could not be more confident in his abilities and character, and we look forward to supporting him in his new role as CEO.”
Lobera’s history with the CMP is deep-rooted; he began his connection to the organization as a member of its Board of Directors, focusing on programmatic and youth development efforts. A Certified Public Accountant and graduate of George Mason University, Lobera is also a former collegiate national champion in skeet and trap. His leadership extends beyond the CMP, having served as the Governor-appointed Chairman of the Wyoming Workforce Development Council.
Focusing on future growth, the leadership change comes at a time of significant expansion for the CMP. The organization is currently embarking on a major project at Camp Perry: a new 64,000 square foot indoor competition center for smallbore and air gun, scheduled for completion in December 2027. Additionally, the CMP is fostering a strategic partnership with the Wyoming State Shooting Complex as they plan for a western location.
“To serve our competitors, customers and work alongside our talented staff in service of the CMP’s mission is truly the honor of a lifetime. I couldn’t draw up a better scenario than to dovetail into and continue the great work that Jerry has performed on behalf of CMP,” shared Fabian.
“We couldn’t be more pleased and excited for Fabian and the CMP as he steps into this new role,” said O’Keefe. “These changes at the Executive Chairman and CEO level represent the birth of a new and more powerful CMP leadership structure.”