Email:  BlackHawk!  wrote: Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 22:19:12 -0400 (EDT) Subject: BlackHawk Announces Director of Special Operations

 Business Development < align="center">   Command Master Chief (SEAL) Stephen “Mato” Matulewicz to act as Director of Special Operations Business Development for BlackHawk®

NORFOLK, VA (October 16, 2006) BlackHawk Products Group, manufacturers of the world’s finest tactical gear announce the hiring of Command Master Chief Stephen “Mato” Matulewicz, as Director of BlackHawk Special Operations Business Development (SOBD).The BlackHawk SOBD cell’s primary mission is to service and support BlackHawk to all U.S. Military and Law Enforcement units.

  “Mato is the logical choice to head up the SOBD. His experience as a SEAL, with the Naval Special Warfare Center, and as the Ninth Command Master Chief of SEAL Team TWO in Afghanistan and Iraq, will lend SOBD the leadership required in growing BlackHawk’s new division.” Mike Noell, CEO and President of BlackHawk explained. Stephen “Mato” Matulewicz, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1983. 

From that point on Mato pursued every opportunity to take on greater leadership roles. In 1985, Mato reported to BUD/S as a member of class 134 and upon graduation, entered and completed the U.S. Army Airborne course. Mato reported to SEAL Team FOUR in Little Creek, Virginia where he was deployed to Central and South America. In 1989, Mato screened for and passed the arduous 6-month training cycle at SEAL Team SIX. Upon the decommissioning of the SEAL Team SIX, Mato transferred to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia where he rose to the rank of Master Chief serving as one of the Research and Development Team Master Chiefs. Master Chief Matulewicz served as the Ninth Command Master Chief of SEAL Team TWO in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

His service decorations include: Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Joint Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards), Combat Action Ribbon (3 awards) and many other personal and unit awards. Mato holds a BS in Sociology and Education from Excelsior College in Albany, New York and graduated with honors from the Senior Enlisted Academy and Command Master Chief courses in Newport, Rhode Island.  About BlackHawk®: BlackHawk Products Group, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, with manufacturing, tooling and design facilities worldwide, was founded in 1993 by President and CEO Mike Noell. 

As the world leader in supplying tactical equipment to the military and law enforcement markets, BlackHawk continues to introduce new best-in-class products through intensive internal R&D initiatives and selective acquisitions. BlackHawk’s divisions include: BlackHawk Tactical, HydraStorm®, HellStorm®, Masters of Defense® Knife Company (MOD), CQC, Night-Ops®, Delta Design Group, Jungst Scientific, Dynamic Entry®, Warrior Wear,  BlackHawk Law Enforcement, BlackHawk! Blades, All Season’s Apparel, Wildfire Warrior, and BlackHawk Outdoors.