CJ BUCK, CEO & Chairman

CJ Buck is currently Chairman and CEO of Buck Knives, Inc. and the 4th generation family member to run Buck Knives. CJ started with Buck Knives in 1978, working on the production line building 110 Folding Hunters.

CJ is currently active with the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI), which he co-founded back in 1996 and is serving his third stint as President of the organization. AKTI is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that Americans will always be able to make, buy, sell, own, carry and use knives and edged tools. CJ is very passionate and active in hunting and conservation efforts and is one of only 100 regular members of the Boone and Crockett Club, serving on the Club's Board of Directors as Vice President of Communications. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Mule Deer Foundation.

On a community involvement basis, CJ's affiliations include being on the Board of the Kootenai County Police and Firemen Memorial Fund, two past stints on the State of Idaho Economic Development Advisory Council appointed by the Governor of Idaho and time on the North Idaho College Foundation Board.

CJ attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma, San Diego State University, and finished his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing with National University in San Diego, CA. In 2016 CJ was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame, following his father's induction in the 90's and his Grandfather's induction in the 80's. He is married with 3 children, 2 stepchildren and 12 grandchildren.

LORI BUCK, OWNER & DIRECTOR

Lori Buck married the late Charles T. Buck (Chuck) in 1958. She, along with her husband (third generation leader and Owner/Chairman of Buck Knives for 56 years), was involved with Buck Knives when it was incorporated in 1961

Lori has two children, Marilyn Houser and President & CEO of Buck Knives, Charles Brian Buck (CJ). She also has 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Lori now serves on the Board of Directors and is actively involved with Buck promotional events throughout the U.S.

“God has been gracious to our company and our family throughout the years and I give God the glory.”

CHUCK BUCK (1936- 2015)

Chuck, son of Al Buck and grandson of Buck Knives founder, Hoyt Buck, worked his way up through the company serving as President and CEO for many years, before handing over the reins to his son, CJ in 1999. Chuck remained active as Chairman of the Board until his death in 2015.

“My grandfather, Hoyt Buck and my dad, Al Buck founded this company on a simple premise, to make a better knife. Our longtime, best-selling knives reflect that tradition. But we also recognize the importance of keeping pace with changing times. As we look to the future, you can be assured that the same attention to quality, performance and craftsmanship will continue.”

“I spent a lot of my time traveling the USA to various events, meeting our customers. It is fun to hear the stories of how you received your Buck Knife. I can always tell when a knife is pulled out, the blade is sharpened to almost nothing, the handle has dings from years of use and your face lights up at the memory of the first time you used your knife - that your knife has been your friend.”

AL BUCK (1910 – 1991)

Back in the early days of Buck Knives, Al worked hard with his father, Hoyt Buck, to help develop the company into what it is today. Al revolutionized the knife industry and put Buck on the map with the creation of the 110 Folding Hunter. He also helped instill the core Christian values the company was founded upon and still abides by today.

As written in 1976

If you are a new Buck knife owner, “welcome aboard.” You are now part of a very large family. Although we're talking about a few million people, we still like to think of each one of our users as a member of the Buck Knives Family and take a personal interest in the product that was bought. With normal use, you should never have to buy another.

Now that you are family, you might like to know a little more about our organization. The fantastic growth of Buck Knives was no accident. From the beginning, management determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn't failed to help us with the answer. Each product must reflect the integrity of management, including our Senior Partner. If sometimes we fail on our end, because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. Of course, to us, besides being Senior Partner, He is our Heavenly Father also; and it's a great blessing to us to have this security in these troubled times. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you.

I know that I still hold a special place in my heart for my mother and father, with an extra spot for what my father taught me, about life and about making a good knife. My hope is that I've done a good job in passing those same beliefs on to the next generations.

“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son; that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John: 3:16

- Al Buck

Paul Bos

We give credit where credit is due. Without this man, we would not have the patented heat treating system that has made our blades so legendary.

Paul Bos, a nationally known heat-treat authority has been heat-treating since 1956. Before his retirement from Buck Knives in 2010, he served 70% of America's custom knifemakers as well as overseeing all of the heat-treating in Buck Knives factory, where he was able to consult with Buck's engineers. Paul's link to Buck Knives goes back to his early years when he worked on custom knives for Al Buck in the late 1950s. Buck Knives continues to operate Paul's heat treating business out of our factory, led now by Paul Farner who worked under Bos for many years.

The process Bos developed, which involves heating, freezing and then reheating of the steel is like none other in the business, and is why Buck knives are famous for being sharper out of the box and staying sharp longer.

In 2007 Bos was the recipient of the “Blade Magazine Industry Achievement Award” for the contributions and advances he made in heat treating technology. Furthermore, in 2010 he was inducted into the “Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame” in recognition of nearly 50 years as the foremost authority on the heat treatment of steel for knife blades.

”No one could match Paul's dedication to the art of heat treating knife blades or his unwavering commitment to supporting custom knifemakers world-wide. He is living proof to the conviction that it takes more than just using good steel for making a fine blade; it's what you do with the steel that makes the difference,” said Chuck Buck, Chairman of Buck Knives.

Even in his retirement, Bos continues in an advisory role for Buck Knives, and makes trips to the Idaho plant as needed. For more information on heat treating, or our heat treating services, see our Heat Treating page under About Buck.

Lane Tobiassen, President

Lane Tobiassen has over 20 years of executive-level experience in the outdoor/shooting sports markets, including roles as CEO, Division President, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at public and private consumer products companies from $40M to over $500M in revenue.  He has successfully grown businesses that develop, manufacture, and source products such as firearms, accessories, sport optics, and footwear for rugged outdoor consumers and professional end users.

Most recently, Lane was President of the Firearms Division of American Outdoor Brands, better known as Smith & Wesson.  In that capacity, he led the marketing, product development, and sales functions at the industry-leading firearms manufacturer, which included Smith & Wesson, M&P, Performance Center, and Thompson/Center firearms brands.  Prior to that, he was CEO of Crimson Trace, a leading tactical laser sight and sport optics company, which he helped profitably grow by 80% during his tenure.  

Lane is passionate about building and growing category-leading brands that resonate with consumers, and he enjoys the challenge of delivering great value to stakeholders.  He leads with vision and focus, and he has had the privilege of building high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results.

He and his wife, Sabrina, of 24 years have twin boys, Alex and Max who are attending college at Montana State University and Oregon State University. A lifelong outdoorsman, Lane enjoys all types of fishing, mostly for salmon, trout, and steelhead. He also enjoys international travel, home projects, and working on his 1965 Mustang.

Jon Greeley, Chief Financial Officer

Taking the helm of the company’s financial, accounting, IT departments, Greeley will look to leverage his nearly 25 years of experience across multiple industries to further strengthen the iconic Buck Knives brand and its 120+ year knife-making legacy.

Prior to joining Buck Knives, Greeley was CFO of the globally renowned East West Tea Company (Yogi) and was recently named CFO of the Year 2021 by the Portland Business Journal for his work there.  Prior to that, he spent his career successfully supporting industries ranging from CPG companies, cooperatives, long-term care facilities, and telecommunications companies, as well as working with large banking institutions to provide financing platforms that support business and build trust. Greeley has also proven to be a key leader and team builder, bringing business units together to support company initiatives.

Growing up on a farm in Southern Oregon, Greeley understands work ethic and what it takes to get the job done. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he understands dedication, teamwork, consistency, and the ability to thrive through adversity.

Greeley’s passion draws him to work for great companies and people that are future looking and not satisfied with the status quo. The reason he dedicates himself to work goes beyond the bottom line, and gets to the root of working with great teams who are motivated to bring quality to all aspects of life and work.

Jon enjoys golfing, fly-fishing, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife, three sons, and their dogs.

Board Members

Paul Holt

Paul has been a member of Board of Directors of Buck Knives since 2013. Paul is a grandson of the founder, Al Buck. Paul is passionate about supporting the legacy and mission of Buck Knives and the core Christian values which made Buck what it is today. Paul is currently Chief Financial Officer of NantHealth, Inc. (Nasdaq: NH), a healthcare company which focuses on enabling improved patient outcomes and more effective treatment decisions for critical illnesses. Prior to NantHealth, Paul spent 15 years as Chief Financial Officer of Quality Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: QSII), a provider of healthcare information technology and services.

A California native, Paul graduated from the University of California with a bachelor's degree in Economics. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master's in Business Administration. He is a former CPA with RSM McGladrey, a national CPA firm. He is also board member of Missionary Athletes International, a sports missions organization dedicated to communicating the message of Jesus Christ through the environment of soccer. He loves reading military history books and keeping up with USC Trojan Football. Paul is married with four children and resides in Orange County, California.

Todd Talbot

Todd Talbot has spent his career as an Executive with some of the leading manufacturers in the Building/Plumbing Products Industries. After growing up on his grandfather's farm in Northern California, Todd graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1982, and then launched his career as a Sales and Marketing Manager with Hoyt Water Heater Company. In 1988 he began a twenty year run with Michigan based Masco Corporation, with more than half of this term as a Divisional Chief Executive. In 2008 Todd and his family returned to their native California where he continued to lead diverse industry leading businesses, most recently (2011-2019) as the president of Fluidmaster.

Today Todd is the is the Chief Executive Officer of Globe Union Industrial, a publicly held manufacturer of faucets and Vitreous China (toilets and sinks) based in Taichung Taiwan, with over 6,000 associates supporting operations in Taiwan, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Chicago, IL. A growth orientated leader, his businesses have excelled through brand leadership, product innovation and extensive international acquisition and integration activity.

Todd and his wife, Denise, reside in Newport Beach, CA and Taichung, Taiwan. They have a grown son, Cory, living in Lake Tahoe, CA, where the family enjoys skiing, hiking and biking.

Jerry Heinlen

Jerry Heinlen is an experienced CEO and board member with over 30 years of experience in consumer products companies. He grew up in Seattle, graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1982, then sailed as a merchant marine deck officer before coming ashore to complete his MBA at the University of Washington in 1987. He launched his business career H.J. Heinz and Ore-Ida Foods in Boise where he held positions in marketing, brand management and new product development. He later transitioned into durable goods and has led premium brands such as Dremel®, Skil®, Craftsman®, Yakima®, SOG®, Therm-a-Rest®, MSR®, Performance Tool®, and others.

Since 2002, Jerry has served as President or CEO at Waterloo Industries, Yakima Products, SOG Knives & Tools, Cascade Designs, Inc., and Wilmar Corporation. In addition to Buck Knives, he has served as a director in several public, private and family-held companies, including Wilmar Corp and SylvanSport LLC where he is currently a board member.

Jerry is passionate about helping companies develop strategies, processes and people needed for best-in-class brand management, manufacturing and supply chains. He and his wife Pat have been married over 35 years and live in Washington State and have two adult daughters, Christina and Katherine, who live in Chicago. As a family they enjoy hiking, boating, golf, and the outdoors.