Based in Jamesville, New York, Robert Ferens is an accomplished executive with academic credentials in business administration, criminal justice, and the religious sciences. Robert Ferens applies expertise in sales leadership, operational strategy, and organizational development to support growth within manufacturing and distribution environments.
Mr. Ferens serves as president of AMMO International, where he oversees enterprise planning, operational execution, and expansion across production and supply functions. His leadership has supported executive team development, product line expansion, and the advancement of US-based manufacturing initiatives under the Union brand.
Previously, Mr. Ferens served as national sales manager with AMMO International and partner and territory manager at United Sales Agency. In these positions, he managed regional and national accounts, strengthened distributor networks, and contributed to revenue and market expansion.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Ferens enjoys participating in fitness activities. He also values spending time with family, and is involved in community-oriented interests and personal development pursuits.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day is structured around priorities both at work and at home. Early on, I focus on the key areas that move the business forward—sales, operations, and decision-making—before getting pulled into everything else. At the same time, I’m actively involved with my family, including helping with homeschooling and staying engaged in my kids’ daily activities.
Outside of work, a lot of my time goes into maintaining our property, working on outdoor projects, and staying physically active through workouts. I also focus on health goals, including being intentional about nutrition and daily habits.
For me, productivity comes down to discipline and clarity—knowing what matters most each day, staying consistent, and making sure I’m progressing both professionally and personally.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I focus on execution first. Once an idea makes sense, I move quickly to test it rather than overanalyze it. I’ve found that most ideas don’t become valuable until you actually put them into motion and start learning from real results.
I also rely on the people around me—building the right team and getting input from others helps refine ideas and move them forward faster. From there, it’s about consistency—adjusting, improving, and staying with it long enough to see it work.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The shift toward domestic manufacturing combined with smarter global sourcing is a big one. There’s a growing focus on bringing production back to the US, while still using international supply chains where it makes sense. Companies that can balance speed, reliability, and cost are going to have a major advantage.
On a personal level, I’m also encouraged by the growing awareness around health and nutrition. More people are moving away from highly processed foods and focusing on cleaner, more intentional eating—things like avoiding seed oils, refined sugars, and overly processed ingredients. That’s something I prioritize with my family as well, especially with my kids, focusing on better habits and long-term health.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Staying disciplined with my time and focusing on priorities. I try to identify the few things that actually move the needle each day and make sure those get done first, instead of reacting to everything that comes up.
That same discipline carries over into other areas of my life as well—whether it’s staying consistent with workouts, health habits, or being present with my family. Keeping structure across all areas helps me stay focused and productive overall.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient and think long-term. A lot of things that feel urgent early on really aren’t, and the decisions you make compound over time.
I’d also say take full responsibility for everything in your life—good or bad—and focus on consistent progress instead of quick results. Stay disciplined, avoid distractions, and understand that most success comes from doing the right things over and over again.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I tend to believe that a lot of what people see as opposing sides (referring to the political Right/Left mostly)—especially in larger systems—often lead to similar outcomes over time. Because of that, I try not to get too caught up in one side or the other and instead focus on what actually produces real results in everyday life.
I’ve found that staying focused on personal responsibility, family, and building something meaningful tends to have a far greater impact than getting pulled into things outside of your control.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Focus on consistent execution. I try to do the right things every day, even when there’s no immediate result, and not get distracted by short-term ups and downs.
Whether it’s in business, health, or family life, progress usually comes from small, disciplined actions repeated over time. It’s not complicated, but it does take consistency.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I don’t feel this way often, but when I do, I simplify everything down to what actually matters in that moment. Instead of trying to manage everything at once, I focus on one or two priorities and start moving those forward.
I also reset by getting active—either with the children or working out, going outside, or doing something physical. That usually helps clear my head and brings things back into focus pretty quickly.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Focusing on relationships and long-term partnerships. In our industry, consistency and trust matter more than anything. Instead of chasing short-term wins, I’ve focused on building strong relationships with distributors, reps, and customers.
Over time, that creates repeat business, better opportunities, and more sustainable growth. When people know they can rely on you, it changes the way business gets done.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I was on track to step into ownership within a sales agency I had helped grow. At the time, the company had started losing key product lines and momentum, and I had to make a decision about whether to stay and take over or move in a different direction.
I chose to step away and join a new opportunity, which was a difficult decision at the time. Not long after, the agency dissolved. The experience reinforced the importance of evaluating long-term stability, recognizing when fundamentals are shifting, and being willing to make tough decisions based on that.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
There’s a strong opportunity in building regional distribution hubs that combine inventory, light manufacturing, and fast fulfilment. Instead of relying entirely on long supply chains, these operations can stock core products locally while also doing simple production or customization on-site.
This allows for faster delivery, better service, and more flexibility for customers, especially in industries like construction and electrical where timing is critical.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft 365. It keeps everything centralized—email, documents, communication, and collaboration—across the team.
I use it to stay organized, share information quickly, and keep everyone aligned without a lot of back-and-forth. Having everything in one place makes it easier to move quickly and stay efficient.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
A solar-lit angel sculpture I got for my wife for Easter to place by our koi pond. It wasn’t expensive, but it meant a lot to her and seeing her enjoy it made it worth it.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
“The Road Less Travelled” by M. Scott Peck. It’s a book I’ve gone back to over the years because it emphasizes discipline, responsibility, and personal growth in a very practical way. Those principles have had a lasting impact on how I approach both life and business.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The live-action “One Piece” series on Netflix. It’s creative, adventurous, and has strong themes around loyalty, perseverance, and teamwork. It’s also something my kids and I can watch together, and there are good lessons throughout as the story develops.
Key learnings
- Consistent execution and discipline are more important than ideas alone.
- Strong relationships and trust drive long-term business success.
- Simplifying priorities leads to better focus and results.
- Personal responsibility is a key factor in both professional and personal growth.
- Balancing business, health, and family creates more sustainable success.