Editing David Freeman


'''David Freeman''' is an American paintball industry entrepreneur and co-founder of [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] (PMI), one of the earliest major manufacturers and distributors of [[paintball]] equipment. He established PMI with [[Jeffrey Perlmutter]] in 1982 and subsequently operated [[Direct Connect]], an equipment distribution business associated with early semiautomatic paintball markers.[1][2]

Freeman was also involved in the initial development and financing of [[Tippmann]] Pneumatics and served as its president during the introduction of the SMG-60 in 1987.[1]

== Early involvement in paintball ==

Freeman grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, and worked in the grocery and dairy distribution industry before entering paintball.

In early 1982, he and Jeffrey Perlmutter participated in a [[National Survival Game]] event at a commercial playing field in Marengo, Illinois.

Both recognised the potential to establish a business supplying equipment to the developing paintball industry.

Perlmutter subsequently travelled to New Hampshire to negotiate franchise rights with National Survival Game. When the proposed arrangements could not be finalised on acceptable terms, Freeman and Perlmutter established an independent business.[1]

== Pursuit Marketing Inc. ==

Freeman and Perlmutter founded Pursuit Marketing Inc. in 1982.

The business initially concentrated on supplying commercial playing fields and retailers rather than selling equipment directly to individual players.

Freeman brought experience in manufacturing, distribution and sales, while Perlmutter concentrated on marketing, branding and business development.[1]

The partners established a relationship with Benjamin Sheridan, which developed the brass-bodied PG paintball pistol for the company.

PMI subsequently introduced the PGP pump-action marker and other equipment.

The company also arranged for R. P. Scherer to manufacture water-soluble paintballs, marketed under the PMI name.

These products provided commercial field operators with alternatives to equipment distributed through National Survival Game.[1][2]

PMI was incorporated in Illinois in December 1983 and established offices and warehousing facilities in Northbrook, Illinois, during 1984.[1]

== Tippmann Pneumatics ==

During the mid-1980s, Freeman and Perlmutter became interested in developing semiautomatic paintball markers.

According to Perlmutter's retrospective account, they were dissatisfied with Benjamin Sheridan's limited interest in developing this technology.

The partners subsequently met [[Dennis Tippmann Sr.]], who was developing automatic airgun equipment.

Perlmutter stated that he and Freeman financed the initial development of Tippmann Pneumatics and the SMG-60 paintball marker.

Freeman assumed the presidency of the new company while Tippmann continued engineering the marker.[1]

A contemporary advertisement published in the inaugural issue of ''Action Pursuit Games'' in autumn 1987 identified Freeman as president of Tippmann Pneumatics.

The advertisement promoted the SMG-60, an early automatic paintball marker.[1]

The subsequent business relationship between the parties ended, although the precise circumstances are documented primarily through Perlmutter's retrospective account.

== Direct Connect ==

Following his departure from PMI's day-to-day operations around 1986, Freeman continued his commercial involvement in paintball through Direct Connect.

The company distributed early semiautomatic paintball equipment, including Tippmann markers and the F-1 and F-2 Illustrator developed by [[Kenneth Farrell]].

Direct Connect also maintained relationships with equipment developers including [[Tom Kaye]] of [[Airgun Designs]].[1][3]

Although Freeman was no longer responsible for PMI's daily management, he and Perlmutter retained their business partnership.

According to Perlmutter, Direct Connect was subsequently incorporated into PMI around 1994.[1]

== Tournament sponsorship ==

Freeman supported competitive paintball through equipment distribution and sponsorship.

His association with [[Chicago Aftershock]] began during the late 1980s.

The team's official historical account identifies Freeman as a longstanding friend and sponsor, initially through Direct Connect and PMI and subsequently through [[KEE Action Sports]].

Aftershock credits the relationship with helping support its professional tournament programme over more than two decades.

The team states that the sponsorship relationship continued until Freeman's retirement in 2008.[4]

== Later career ==

PMI continued expanding during the 1990s and early 2000s, distributing paintballs, markers, compressed-air equipment and accessories.

In 2006, PMI's business was combined with [[National Paintball Supply]] under the newly established KEE Action Sports organisation.[5]

Freeman retired from the paintball industry in 2008, according to Chicago Aftershock's official history.[4]

== Significance ==

Freeman contributed to the establishment of an independent commercial equipment supply network during paintball's earliest years.

His involvement in PMI helped establish competition with National Survival Game's original franchise and distribution arrangements.

Through Direct Connect and the early Tippmann Pneumatics operation, he was involved in bringing new semiautomatic marker designs to the market.

His long association with Chicago Aftershock also connected his equipment distribution activities with the development of professional tournament paintball.

== See also ==

* [[Jeffrey Perlmutter]]
* [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]]
* [[Direct Connect]]
* [[Tippmann]]
* [[Dennis Tippmann Sr.]]
* [[Airgun Designs]]
* [[Tom Kaye]]
* [[Chicago Aftershock]]
* [[National Survival Game]]
* [[History of paintball]]

== References ==

# [https://paintballhistory.com/pioneering-the-sport-of-paintball-the-history-of-pmi-with-jeff-perlmutter/ Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI with Jeff Perlmutter, 31 January 2023. Extensive oral history incorporating Freeman's recollections, contemporary advertisements and archival photographs.]
# [https://ansgear.com/paintball-manufacturers/pmi-paintball/ ANSgear, PMI Paintball. Historical manufacturer profile documenting Freeman and Perlmutter's establishment of PMI.]
# [https://paintballhistory.com/f1-illustrator/ Paintball History, F1 Illustrator. Historical equipment archive documenting Direct Connect's distribution of the F-1 Illustrator.]
# [https://www.teamaftershock.com/about Chicago Aftershock, History. Official team account documenting Freeman's sponsorship relationship from the late 1980s until 2008.]
# [https://law.justia.com/cases/delaware/court-of-chancery/2008/103520-1.html Delaware Court of Chancery, Postorivo v. AG Paintball Holdings, Inc., 29 February 2008. Judicial record documenting the combination of National Paintball Supply and PMI assets in KEE Action Sports.]

== External links ==

* [https://paintballhistory.com/pioneering-the-sport-of-paintball-the-history-of-pmi-with-jeff-perlmutter/ Paintball History, PMI founder interview and historical photographs]
* [https://www.teamaftershock.com/about Chicago Aftershock official history]

[[Category:American paintball industry figures]]
[[Category:Paintball industry pioneers]]
[[Category:Paintball history]]