2020 Concealed Carry Expo. Presented by USCCA

About the presentation:
“Women's Intermediate Handguns” is ideal for ladies who are ready to take the next step with their firearms skills, tools and mindset. Basics and fundamentals of shooting will be reviewed, while exploring situational awareness, popular types of handguns, ammunition types and storage and concealed carry options. Recognizing and clearing malfunctions, understanding range etiquette and commands, and using the dominant and non-dominant hand and reloading will also be covered.

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
Learn from self-defense expert Dave Young as he reveals the truth about real-life gunfights and discusses the knowledge, skills and gear you need to survive one. During this primarily hands-on course, Dave will walk you through the drills and exercises that will give you the gunfighting skills you need to overcome a deadly threat. Topics include: moving with your firearm, drawing your firearm, hand-eye coordination, different angles of fire and much more.

This course will also cover topics such as how to select the right holster and firearm for your unique needs, different ammo types, the advantage of carrying concealed and the tactics you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones anytime, anywhere.

About the speaker:
Dave Young is a nationally recognized defensive tactics instructor with a 30-year history in military and civilian law enforcement. As the founder and director of ARMA Training and U.S. Fighting Systems, Dave has dedicated his life to defensive training instruction. Specializing in personal and officer survival, crowd management, and non-lethal weaponry, he has been featured on the National Geographic channel and sits on the boards of PoliceOne.com and Police Magazine.

Dave is an active member of several organizations, including the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and Georgia International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI).

About the presentation:
For years, leaders of houses of worship overlooked the fact that a shooting could happen in their facility. It has taken recent catastrophic active-shooter events for congregations to realize that sacred places and parishioners are vulnerable to a gunman.

In studying past events, it has been proven that people rise – or fall – based on the level of training and preparedness. Without proper training, a person’s natural response to violent intruders include running toward – instead of away from – the sound of gunfire to confirm that the threat is real, engaging in “normalcy bias” (denying that he or she is under attack despite overwhelming evidence) or freezing in place instead of taking fundamental action.

Churches don’t have to — and shouldn’t — “militarize” in order to have a secure environment. In addition, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to church security. While a set of core principles are necessary, there is a range of approaches a church community can adopt to protect its congregation. Having trained more than 150,000 people and counting, Barry will provide attendees with the confidence and resolve required to prevent and respond to a critical incident.

About the speaker:
Nick Spencer is project management director at Strategos International, which has held more than 300 church security trainings across the country. Nick has served in the U.S. Army, Blue Springs, Missouri Police Department and as the leader for his Local church security team. Nick has more than 15 years of law enforcement, military and church security ministry experience.

About the presentation:
In this presentation, John Correia, founder and owner of Active Self Protection, will pull principles from the more than 20,000 actual defensive encounter recordings, so that self-defenders can implement them in their own training. The patterns that emerge can give all self-defenders a path to maximize their chances of successfully defending themselves and their families from a deadly threat. This presentation will include real-life surveillance footage of actual defensive encounters, narrated live. Attendee discretion is advised.

About the speaker:
John Correia is a United States Navy veteran and founder of the self-defense organization Active Self Protection. A prominent figure in the defense industry, John is a nationally recognized speaker on real-life defensive encounters and the host and owner of one of the most popular self-defense and firearms channels on YouTube. Additionally, John is a black-belt practitioner and presenter of UMAS Kenpo, with a specialty in empty-handed skills for firearms carriers.

He is a Rangemaster Certified Pistol Instructor, State of Arizona Armed Guard Instructor, UTM Professional Training Organization Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer and Certified Pistol Instructor, Law of Self-Defense Instructor graduate, and Shooting-Performance Instructor Development Course graduate.

About the presentation:
More than 115,000 murders and rapes begin in a car each year. Every 13 minutes, someone is the victim of a violent carjacking. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a destination academy, join us for this short presentation. We will review some of the core nuances of vehicular defense to help you survive America's roadways.

About the speaker:
Jacob Paulsen:
Jacob Paulsen is the founder and president of ConcealedCarry.com — an online resource for concealed carry news, training and resources. Jacob leads a team of more than 50 instructors in 25 states and taught more than 400 concealed carry classes in 2017. Jacob is a USCCA Certified Instructor, an NRA Certified Instructor and Range Safety Officer and an affiliate instructor for LASR and Next Level Training. He is a co-host of the iTunes No. 1 ranked Concealed Carry Podcast and wrote The Concealed Carry Guide, Survive Anything and Getting the Home Gun Ready. Jacob also hosts an online course called “American Gun Law.”

Riley Bowman:
Riley Bowman is a professional instructor, competitive shooter and podcast host, currently serving as the director of training for ConcealedCarry.com. Besides guiding the curriculum development, certification and growth of the instructor network — now totaling more than 60 instructors in 27 states — he also leads the media team responsible for producing editorial, video and audio content. He produces and hosts the Concealed Carry Podcast, a semi-weekly show totaling more than 2 million downloads. Riley has a background in law enforcement and is a passionate instructor with certifications as a USCCA Training Counselor, NRA Certified Instructor and Colorado POST Handgun and Patrol Rifle Instructor. Riley was also a top-10 finalist at the National Championship of Outdoor Channel’s The American Marksman. He currently stays busy instructing and competing in major 3-Gun matches.

About the presentation:
Learn how to teach modern pistol skills using a variety of simple and effective training aids. Those who understand performance are generally the best instructors. Don't ever underestimate the importance of classroom learning. No matter your skill level, these techniques will improve your performance on the range and in the classroom. In this course, demystify key aspects of shooting, including stance, grip, eye dominance and sight alignment. The more you understand, the better you will perform!

About the speaker:
Chris Cerino has served as a federal and municipal peace officer for the past 26 years. He is an internationally recognized firearms instructor and competitor. Chris has spent more than two decades instructing law enforcement officers, civilians and military personnel on the nuances of effective firearms use. Chris has been a featured host on a wide range of defense-related media, including Gun Venture, Gun Talk TV, Guns and Gear, First Person Defender and Top Shot (twice!). Chris enjoys recognition as a published author on the topics of firearms training and instruction.

About the presentation:
Dive into the historical view of training women in law enforcement, the present state and the perceived future. Twenty-five years in the making, this seminar will observe the maturation and progression of private women gun owners and their readiness, as well as concerns shared among trainers. It’s an honest look into the future that will include confessions of an aging Warrior Woman, philosophies and motivations. Lou Ann also discusses establishing a legitimate community of responsibly armed citizens, which demands preparedness and building a personal arsenal for themselves and their families.

About the speaker:
LouKa Tactical co-owner Lou Ann Hamblin retired from law enforcement after 22 years in uniform, training and working undercover on special assignment with the DEA. She holds a master's degree in human performance technology from the University of Michigan and specializes in training female officers. Lou is a certified firearms and defensive tactics instructor in a variety of disciplines. To date, she has trained more than 4,000 law enforcement women in pistol alone. She is a Team One Network adjunct instructor, H&K Master Pistol Instructor and IALEFI Master Firearms Instructor-trainer and board member. She instructs internationally in the areas of instructor development, training for specialty units and female officer survival. This training includes presentations at the Michigan and National Tactical Officers Assoc. conferences, ILEETA, IALEFI and IAWP. Lou Ann is the developer of the nationally recognized Building Warrior Women training event. She is also an SME for the State of Michigan (MCOLES) in use of force and SRO training issues and has published many articles in police-related publications.

About the presentation:
There’s no doubt that kids need guidance, protection and education … and it’s up to us as responsible gun owners to provide that for them. Since we can’t just lock them up or “baby proof” the entire world, we must consider firearms education for children, safe firearms storage options and home preparedness and planning for the entire household. Learn important — and possibly life saving — information about how you can be more comfortable, confident and safe with children and guns.

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
“Should I shoot?” is the most important self-defense question. It can have life-changing implications. Join USCCA Attorney Network member and Ask an Attorney webinar host Tom Grieve as he walks through several different defense scenarios and their outcomes, some of which were real-life cases. During this course, attendees will learn about the processes surrounding arrest, interrogation and court proceedings. They will also discover how their split-second defense decisions could be scrutinized and criticized by law enforcement.

About the speaker:
Tom Grieve is a highly awarded former state prosecutor who started Grieve Law, LLC — now one of the largest criminal defense firms in Wisconsin. He is respected as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the state and has developed a nuanced understanding of Wisconsin firearms laws throughout his years of experience. Although Tom’s legal background speaks for itself, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty, receiving his certification as a firearms instructor and participating as a regular speaker and panelist with the USCCA for live broadcasts, training videos and national expos. He also serves as a speaker and analyst on numerous radio stations, television stations and both college and law school campuses.

About the presentation:
This three-hour course is designed to deliver crucial advanced concealed carry training skills. Taught by Gary Drake and Sgt. Don Gulla, the curriculum focuses on combining hand-to-hand tactics with firearms training. Topics include: shooting from a seated position, developing a flinch draw, weapon retention, close-quarter shooting and small-joint manipulation.

About the speaker:
Don Gulla:
Sgt. Don Gulla is a veteran of the King County Sheriff's Office in Washington State and the founder of the police and public safety training organization Gulla’s Arrestling. His comprehensive law enforcement career includes 12 years of full-time SWAT Team experience and seven years of service as an Academy Instructor. Additionally, Don holds certifications as a Chief SIRT Pistol Instructor, Master Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor, and Senior Master Taser Instructor. Don is also a five-time gold medalist of the World Police and Fire Games in Karate. After more than 45 years practicing the sport, Don was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016.

Gary Drake:
Gary Drake is a veteran of law enforcement, law enforcement training, military training, tactical training and the United States Marine Corps. His certifications and awards include SIRT Pistol Instructor, Level 4 Arrestling Instructor and induction into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Gary currently serves as an instructor of firearms and defensive tactics for basic academy recruits at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
An American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds, but most people never consider this danger until it impacts them or someone they love. This presentation will help educate both women and men on the dangers of sexual violence and what happens in the aftermath of these tragedies. Along with preventative training, this session will explore natural victim responses to sexual violence in order to offer better understanding of how victims react and recover.

About the speaker:
Jennifer Cisney Ellers is a professional counselor, life coach, crisis response trainer, author and speaker specializing in the field of grief, crisis and trauma through the Institute for Compassionate Care. She is an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, teaching several CISM courses. She serves as director of the Grief, Crisis and Disaster Network of the American Association of Christian Counselors, as well as a clinical director for the Crisis Response Team of the United States Concealed Carry Association. She co-authored The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders with her husband, Dr. Kevin Ellers.

About the presentation:
Every gun enthusiast knows that the number of modifications his or her firearm needs is “just one more.” But in the wide world of customization, some changes might add nothing to performance — and can even limit it. In this course, George Harris, firearms trainer and CEO of International Firearms Consultants, LLC, will review a list of popular modifications used for concealed carry and home defense, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

About the speaker:
George Harris has been a leading firearms educator and trainer for more than 40 years. He is the co-founder of SIGARMS Academy, now known as SIG SAUER Academy, an internationally recognized and highly sought-after training institution for armed professionals and responsible citizens. He was awarded the U.S. Army Distinguished badges for both Service Pistol and Service Rifle and served as a coach and team member of the World Champion U.S. Army Reserve International Combat Team. George currently serves as the CEO of International Firearms Consultants, LLC, a “one-stop shop” for all personal and professional firearms-related needs.

About the presentation:
Get the lifesaving education and safety information you and your family need to prevent gun mishandling, serious accidents and even death. Join firearms expert Dave Young as he shares valuable lessons on teaching your children about guns. Topics include proper firearms storage, the four key safety rules, how to properly handle a firearm, how to safely remove a firearm from a child, emergency first aid for gunshot wounds and much more.

Many in-home firearms deaths and accidents that involve children are preventable with proper education and supervision. Dave will show you the successful methods he has used as a Marine Corps veteran, tactical firearms instructor and father of six to keep his kids safe and his guns secure.

About the speaker:
Dave Young is a nationally recognized defensive tactics instructor with a 30-year history in military and civilian law enforcement. As the founder and director of ARMA Training and U.S. Fighting Systems, Dave has dedicated his life to defensive training instruction. Specializing in personal and officer survival, crowd management, and non-lethal weaponry, he has been featured on the National Geographic channel and sits on the boards of PoliceOne.com and Police Magazine.

Dave is an active member of several organizations, including the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and Georgia International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI).

About the presentation:
Dynamic Action Response Training (DART) was created to address the reality of a sudden, violent assault. The course utilizes facts provided by sources like the DOJ and FBI. Identifying these statistical realities helps set the stage for the logic and fundamental basis of the program’s training methodology. Topics will include the number of armed vs. unarmed assaults, the weapons most likely used during an assault and statistics addressing effective use of firearms during close-quarter encounters.
There is an emphasis during the course on tactical objectives over techniques, so that a practitioner can understand the “why.” ​DART users are taught using systematic frameworks that bring all skill sets into an instinctive response that is sustainable under high-stress and high-intensity situations.
Instinctive Response Training (IRT) vs. Pre-Conditioned Response Training (CRT): We have built our training based on biologically instinctive responses. In our extensive and varied experience, it is the only way to ensure reliability under pressure of learned skills. We reveal why pre-conditioned responses fail, what natural instinctive responses are and how they are the hidden basis for all combative methodology, how to use the instinctive reflex response as a basis for training, and how to effectively index and deploy a knife or handgun under duress.

About the speaker:
Robert Metz:
Robert Metz is the former Senior TAC NCOIC of the U.S. Army Ranger School, having retired as a Sergeant Major after 22 years of military experience. He was one of the founders of the U.S. Army’s “Gun Truck Alley” training course – a 9-mile stretch of abandoned highway near Breezewood, Pennsylvania – that prepares Army reserve soldiers for convoy survivability operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Robert has more than 35 years of experience in myriad martial arts styles.

In addition, he has 20-plus years of experience in law enforcement, serving in all three uniform patrol districts of a large, regional police department, as well as a detective. He has taught as a subject matter expert in various educational settings, such as academia, private-sector, military and police venues.

Kerwin Rodriguez:
Kerwin Rodriguez, 2003 World Open Full-Contact Kumite Grand Champion, has more than three decades of martial arts experience. He has worked as a security professional in many capacities, including for celebrities like NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick.

Kerwin has led various classes, modular programs and seminar events nationwide and abroad. He has taught at police academies and schools throughout the United States. He is a professional crisis management instructor with the Professional Crisis Management Association (PCMA) and has served as a crisis consultant for various companies.

Kerwin worked for several years as a behavior therapist, specializing in high aggression cases. These frequently require physical control and restraints to prevent injury to the staff and therapist.

About the presentation:
For varying legal, logistical and geographical reasons, you won’t always be able to have a weapon on you or be able to deploy one. Understanding that a gun is only employed in about 1 percent of self-defense incidents is crucial. The other 99 percent of the time, hand-to-hand combat skills will be needed to protect yourself or your loved ones. You might even find yourself in an instance where you will have to fight with your hands to get to a weapon. Jon’s Tactical Jiu-Jitsu Training Program focuses on general tactical and physical solutions that anyone can learn, retain and execute, regardless of skill level.

About the speaker:
Jon’s introduction to self-defense began in the mid-’90s while working at Ultimate Fighting Champion Royce Gracie’s academy in California. There, Jon earned a place on the competition fight team in Tokyo. In 2004, he became the second person in the world to be awarded a black-belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Jon’s methodologies have been implemented by the U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Army Rangers and U.S. federal and state law enforcement agencies. He has taught non-compliant assailant and cuffing techniques, weapons retention and upright and ground self-defense techniques to U.S. Special Forces, the 82nd Airborne and active duty forces in South Korea.

Jon has since founded Next Level Combatives and Tactical Jiu Jitsu (TJJ). He also owns and operates The 6 Levels mixed-martial arts and fitness training center based in Orlando. With more than 22 years of experience in mixed-martial arts, armed and unarmed self-defense, and close-quarter combat, Jon has developed a unique, systematic approach to training individuals in close-quarter-combat that enables high retention levels.

About the presentation:
No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. This is a sobering fact when you consider that a human being can die from blood loss within five minutes of an initial injury. In this free presentation, Paul Callahan will be teaching the various ways to control bleeding with or without a trauma kit.

About the speaker:
After retiring from 35 years in the insurance business, Paul Callahan has made it a point to help individuals who are sick or injured and train others to do the same. His qualifications include NREMT certification with Tactical Emergency Training Support, TCCC and Rescue Task Force training. Paul is an instructor in American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross (ARC) CPR/AED and first aid. He also instructs in basic bleeding control, verbal defense and influence, USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level 1 and Accident Scene Management Bystander Assistance. Additionally, Paul serves as a reserve police officer, Tae-Kwon-Do instructor, a member of the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association, National Tactical Officers Association and on several charity boards.

About the presentation:
In this course, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat author Michael Martin reviews data gathered from 48 mass shootings that have occurred since Columbine to determine what can be learned from these terrible tragedies. Questions analyzed include whether a reduction in magazine capacity or any kind of firearms ban could have changed the outcome of these events. Michael also looks at whether so-called “gun-free” zones impact the planning of these mass murderers, whether victim response at any mass shooting has made a difference and whether “universal background checks” or other proposals by gun-control advocates stand a chance of stemming the current trajectory of these shootings. Michael summarizes this data with a comprehensive plan designed to eliminate the scourge of these shooters once and for all.

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.

About the presentation:
There are an estimated 100 million gun owners and 18 million concealed carry permit holders in the United States. Only a small percentage of this number actually enroll in additional training beyond state required permit courses. This one-hour seminar explores the different types of training and how to incorporate it into a personal program. It will provide attendees with information and drills to help them develop and maintain their fundamentals, build speed and accuracy, and discuss the importance of reality-based training and other courses in well-rounded personal training programs.

About the speaker:
Chad Winkler:
Chad Winkler has more than 40 years of experience in shooting and firearms-related sports, including competitive shooting in shotgun, rifle and pistol shooting. He is a Training Counselor and Instructor for both the USCCA and NRA and has conducted hundreds of classes with thousands of students ranging from law enforcement and military to civilians and youth. Chad is the General Manager and Lead Trainer for Boondocks Firearms Training Academy™, one of the premier ranges in the United States. His cadre of more than 20 Boondocks instructors offers defensive firearms training for handguns, rifles and shotguns, as well as hand-to-hand combat, active shooter, CPR AED and first-aid training, church security and youth firearms training.

John Roberts:
John has more than 40 years of experience shooting, instructing and competing as a civilian, law enforcement officer and military member. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Master of International Business and the University of South Carolina with a Master of Strategic Studies. John is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the U.S. Army Special Forces. He attended French Commando School, Tactical Explosives Entry School, U.S. Army Close Combat Instructor Course, Marine Corps Close Combat Instructor Course, Special Warfare Center Level II Anti-Terrorism Instructor Course and was the Chief Instructor for the U.S. Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School. He has also completed the BSR Special Security and Anti-Terrorism Driving Course, Blackwater Training Center Tactical Pistol Course and the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Combat Marksmanship Training course.

About the presentation:
Presented by Tom Grieve and Kevin Michalowski
Self-defense laws are convoluted. You can easily end up in jail if you don’t know when and how to legally stop a threat. Join Concealed Carry Magazine Executive Editor Kevin Michalowski and Attorney Tom Grieve as they answer some of your most critical self-defense and legal questions live.

Their discussion will cover some of the most popular questions on topics like self-defense misconceptions and unexpected legal ramifications. This session is normally a benefit available ONLY to Platinum and Elite USCCA Members, so be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

About the speaker:
Tom Grieve:
Tom Grieve is a highly awarded former state prosecutor who started Grieve Law, LLC — now one of the largest criminal defense firms in Wisconsin. He is respected as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the state and has developed a nuanced understanding of Wisconsin firearms laws throughout his years of experience. Although Tom’s legal background speaks for itself, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty, receiving his certification as a firearms instructor and participating as a regular speaker and panelist with the USCCA for live broadcasts, training videos and national expos. He also serves as a speaker and analyst on numerous radio stations, television stations and both college and law school campuses.

Kevin Michalowski:
Kevin Michalowski is executive editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and a fully certified law enforcement officer working part time in rural Wisconsin. He is a USCCA and NRA Certified Trainer. Kevin has participated in training across the U.S. as both a student and an instructor in multiple disciplines. These specialties include pistol, rifle, shotgun, empty-hand defense and rapid response to the active shooter. Kevin is passionate about the concealed carry lifestyle, studying the legal, ethical and moral aspects of the use of force in self-defense. He is a graduate of the Force Science Institute Certification Course and has worked as a professional witness and consultant on matters concerning the judicious use of deadly force and deadly force decision-making.

About the presentation:
In this discussion, Kevin Dixie will cover the history of the U.S. and why the right to carry a firearm is so significant to all Americans. Once a person has decided to act on the human right to defend himself or herself, one must appreciate the responsibility that comes with it and what this choice signifies. It’s much more than simply carrying a gun. How has the person subconsciously decided to make the community safer? Kevin will help you answer that and other related questions during this presentation.

Kevin will also address the biases individuals have formed. What does the bad guy look like when someone imagines a self-defense scenario? Does the bad guy always look, dress and speak the same? As protectors, we must exclude these biases. How do we subdue those thoughts and think outside these confines?

Having worked 10 years in law enforcement, Kevin has been exposed to people making rash decisions based on what their conscious has come to believe was a threat. This has cost many people their freedom and the ability to protect what they love. Kevin’s job was to apprehend some of the most ruthless human beings imaginable … and now he wants to prevent good people from being misidentified as criminals.

About the speaker:
Kevin Dixie is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, and married father of two. He has served for 10 years with the Saint Louis City Police Department in the Prisoner Processing Division and 15 years as a private security professional.
Kevin is the owner and operator of No Other Choice Firearms Training (NOC) — a professional firearms and self-defense company — and the founder of Aiming for the Truth — a six-step program to help heal broken families, strengthen the community bonds of neighbors and improve the lives of people nationwide. Aiming for the Truth is focused on getting to the root of the factors that are driving violence in our communities.
Kevin has spent 20 years as a civil rights advocate. He has presented on community building and civil rights throughout the U.S. He has been featured on NRATV, CarbonTV, Gun Freedom Radio, Firearms Network, Tom Woods Show and dozens of podcasts.

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
Uncover the firearms tactics relied on by elite military and law enforcement personnel with expert firearms trainer Dave Young. Learn what to do when someone is pointing a gun at you, how to work as a team with a family member or bystander, how to control your angles of fire, the strategies you need to know in order to win against all odds and much more.

This is a hands-on course that will help you build the skills and knowledge necessary to save your life and the lives of those around you in a variety of life-threatening scenarios.

About the speaker:
Dave Young is a nationally recognized defensive tactics instructor with a 30-year history in military and civilian law enforcement. As the founder and director of ARMA Training and U.S. Fighting Systems, Dave has dedicated his life to defensive training instruction. Specializing in personal and officer survival, crowd management, and non-lethal weaponry, he has been featured on the National Geographic channel and sits on the boards of PoliceOne.com and Police Magazine.

Dave is an active member of several organizations, including the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), National Rifle Association (NRA) and Georgia International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (GALEFI).

About the presentation:
Carrying a concealed handgun isn’t something that comes naturally. It takes an open mind, patience and the willingness to try new things to become proficient. Chris has carried concealed firearms for many years in a variety of occupations throughout the nation and abroad. In this session, he will share his experiences and thoughts on weapon choice, methods of concealment and ready-at-hand versus deeply concealed. This course will also include physical demonstrations.

About the speaker:
Chris Cerino has served as a federal and municipal peace officer for the past 26 years. He is an internationally recognized firearms instructor and competitor. Chris has spent more than two decades instructing law enforcement officers, civilians and military personnel on the nuances of effective firearms use. Chris has been a featured host on a wide range of defense-related media, including Gun Venture, Gun Talk TV, Guns and Gear, First Person Defender and Top Shot (twice!). Chris enjoys recognition as a published author on the topics of firearms training and instruction.

About the presentation:
Beyond performing CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, do you know how to save a life before the paramedics arrive or, worse, when help isn’t accessible? Become your family's first responder by attending this course! Attendees will learn how to assess a patient’s condition and properly treat life-threatening conditions, including broken bones, spinal injuries, serious bleeding, shock and more. Learn how to help when minutes count.

About the speaker:
Michael Martin is the researcher and author behind the USCCA textbooks, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals and Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals. In addition to his work with the USCCA, Michael is also certified as a CIRAS (Collaborative Incident Response, Active Shooter) instructor. He teaches police, fire and EMS agencies how to respond to the aftermath of mass shooting events in order to minimize the loss of life. Martin's textbooks and other training materials are currently in use by thousands of USCCA instructors across the U.S., and he is considered one of the nation’s foremost experts in mass shootings. Martin also serves as a full-time firefighter and paramedic in the Twin Cities and is a U.S. Army veteran, with service time in South Korea; Augsburg, Germany; and Washington, D.C.

About the presentation:
We all know someone from the anti-gun crowd — perhaps at work, at church, in our circle of friends or even within the walls of our own homes. How do you reach such a person? Or what should you do if (and when) you encounter an anti-gun individual in person or online? Undoubtedly, there's no right answer for every person or every situation. But there are some tips to keep in mind when interacting with someone who may be unsure about — or even completely against — our right to keep and bear arms.

About the speaker:
Author of Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, associate editor of Concealed Carry Magazine and creator of the Pacifiers & Peacemakers blog, Beth Alcazar has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and working in the firearms industry. She holds degrees in language arts, education and communication management and uses her experience and enthusiasm to share safe and responsible firearms ownership and usage with others. Beth is certified through the NRA as a Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor for multiple disciplines. She is also a Certified Instructor through SIG Sauer Academy, ALICE Institute, DRAW School, TWAW, I.C.E. Training and is a USCCA Certified Instructor and Senior Training Counselor. Beth also received the NRA's prestigious Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award for 2019.

About the presentation:
Riley Bowman is the host of the Concealed Carry Podcast. Each week, the show presents and analyzes real-life defensive gun uses and describes nine common misconceptions about gunfights based on a statistical analysis of hundreds of successful self-defense encounters he calls “justified saves.” As well as saving lives with tourniquets and ballistic vests, Riley is extremely passionate about the right to self-defense, the Second Amendment and what it means on a daily basis for Americans forced to preserve their lives with a gun. The data Riley will review describes the realities of actual gunfights and busts many myths that he still encounters as a firearms instructor and law enforcement officer.

About the speaker:
Riley Bowman is a professional instructor, competitive shooter and podcast host, currently serving as the director of training for ConcealedCarry.com. Besides guiding the curriculum development, certification and growth of the instructor network — now totaling more than 60 instructors in 27 states — he also leads the media team responsible for producing editorial, video and audio content. He produces and hosts the Concealed Carry Podcast, a semi-weekly show totaling more than 2 million downloads. Riley has a background in law enforcement and is a passionate instructor with certifications as a USCCA Training Counselor, NRA Certified Instructor and Colorado POST Handgun and Patrol Rifle Instructor. Riley was also a top-10 finalist at the National Championship of Outdoor Channel’s The American Marksman. He currently stays busy instructing and competing in major 3-Gun matches.

About the presentation:
In this workshop, Julia Valencia will provide an introduction to tried-and-true self-defense tactics. Attendees will learn how to increase awareness, build confidence, maximize their safety and execute the appropriate close quarters draw from various positions and platforms.

About the speaker:
Julia Valencia is an accomplished, well-respected law enforcement officer and trainer. She is a premier Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor who provides training at local police agencies, the Police Academy and even to security teams outside of the U.S. Julia was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 for instruction in tactical training and women’s self-defense. She is the only female primary instructor for the nationally known defensive tactics training group “Arrestling” and a lead instructor for Next Level Training (SIRT). In 2018, she earned the title of “Officer of the Year.” She is currently assigned as a police Corporal with her agency and is the first female motorcycle officer there. She has also recently taken a position at West Coast Armory/Bellevue Gun Club helping citizens understand firearms and the legalities of gun ownership. Julia is passionate about personal safety, community service and family.

About the presentation:
In today’s world, threats to our loved ones, homes and personal safety are on the rise, whether in the form of mass shootings, home invasions, natural disasters or personal attacks. Even if you’re prepared to defend yourself and those around you, you or your family may experience crippling symptoms of traumatic stress after the experience. This presentation will help you understand how traumatic stress impacts people and the basic techniques for rapid recovery and returning to a normal life. It will also explore warning signs of stress that may need additional medical or mental health assistance.

About the speaker:
Jennifer Cisney Ellers is a professional counselor, life coach, crisis response trainer, author and speaker specializing in the field of grief, crisis and trauma through the Institute for Compassionate Care. She is an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, teaching several CISM courses. She serves as director of the Grief, Crisis and Disaster Network of the American Association of Christian Counselors, as well as a clinical director for the Crisis Response Team of the United States Concealed Carry Association. She co-authored The First 48 Hours: Spiritual Caregivers as First Responders with her husband, Dr. Kevin Ellers.

About the presentation:
Matt Mallory devised this course to educate individuals on the importance of quality repetition, as well as possessing the right mindset to survive a dynamic critical incident. You may have heard, “Action beats reaction,” “Your body can’t go where your mind has never been” or “You can never draw on a drawn gun.” Have you ever wondered if these statements are accurate?
To answer these questions and more, Matt will delve into what an amygdala hijack is (a term coined by the psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman) and explore cognitive behavioral therapy to help you modify your patterns of thinking and behavior. This will be accomplished by challenging and testing attendees’ motor cortex or muscle memory – the part of the brain that handles the planning, control and execution of voluntary movements – to build better neural pathways.
Matt’s presentation aims to improve your awareness and response time, as well as your behavior under extreme duress, to form the best response to a life-threatening encounter. It can be the difference between life and death.

About the speaker:
Matthew J. Mallory is a U.S. Army veteran, the founder and lead instructor of Public Safety and Education (PS&Ed), New York State Police Officer and a nationally recognized self-defense educator. He teaches more than 60 different firearms and self-defense courses annually to thousands of students nationwide. Matt is a public speaker/presenter, co-host of the talk-show Meet The Pressers and has authored articles for numerous national publications. He also travels the country working as a brand ambassador and pro staff for companies such as the USCCA, Laser Ammo, Shooter’s Technology Group, Mantis and Angel Armor.

Matt has combined his 35 years of self-defense experience and passion for education to mold informative and highly engaging courses for his students.

About the presentation:
This hands-on class consists of two distinct 1.5-hour reality-based training sessions that will help students sharpen their gun-handling skills in a variety of simulated, real-world situations. Course sessions will cover firearms handling, proper tactical movement, appropriate decision-making, a shooting simulator and force-on-force training using T4E-converted handguns that employ non-lethal marking rounds. These converted handguns allow scenario participants to safely fight “attackers” in lethal-force scenarios, followed by a debriefing and assessment of the drill. Participants will be able to determine what works and what doesn't when it comes to their equipment, decision-making capabilities and levels of training. The session is considered to be the highest level of evaluation and application of skills available without having to engage in a real fight.

*NOTE: All attendees are required to bring gloves and long sleeves/hooded sweatshirts. No weapons of any kind are allowed in this course. Attendees are subject to a weapons check before class and will have access to storage units if necessary.

About the speaker:
Donna Anthony has more than 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement. She has served as a sworn police officer in Alaska, an undercover investigator for the Alaska State Trooper Statewide Drug Task Force Unit and an Ohio deputy sheriff. She has collaborated with such federal law enforcement agencies as the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF and FBI.

After retiring from the Palmer Police Department, Donna founded the Alaska Investigation Agency, LLC in 2012, and is the owner of Point Blank Firearms & Self Defense Training, LLC. Her passion for self-defense drove her to become a member of the National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. She is also the national training coordinator for The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), a non-profit organization that educates, equips and empowers women shooters.

Donna has extensive law enforcement training, from hostage negotiation to tactical operations planning, including Rapid Response to an Active Shooter, Undercover Techniques and Anti-Terrorism Training.

About the presentation:
At its inception in November 2013, USCCA’s Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals (CCHDF) curriculum quickly set the groundwork for what a modern training program should include. Since then, it has been recognized nationwide as a premier training program. In 2018, the USCCA launched its Defensive Shooting Fundamentals (DSF) course. This course uses intuitive teaching methods and provides attendees with the most efficient training for potential types of self-defense situations. This one-hour seminar will explore which course is best for each attendee, how to locate the courses and how these two programs work together to give attendees the information and training they may need to be better prepared.

About the speaker:
Chad Winkler:
Chad Winkler has more than 40 years of experience in shooting and firearms-related sports, including competitive shooting in shotgun, rifle and pistol shooting. He is a Training Counselor and Instructor for both the USCCA and NRA and has conducted hundreds of classes with thousands of students ranging from law enforcement and military to civilians and youth. Chad is the General Manager and Lead Trainer for Boondocks Firearms Training Academy™, one of the premier ranges in the United States. His cadre of more than 20 Boondocks instructors offers defensive firearms training for handguns, rifles and shotguns, as well as hand-to-hand combat, active shooter, CPR AED and first-aid training, church security and youth firearms training.

John Roberts:
John has more than 40 years of experience shooting, instructing and competing as a civilian, law enforcement officer and military member. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Master of International Business and the University of South Carolina with a Master of Strategic Studies. John is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the U.S. Army Special Forces. He attended French Commando School, Tactical Explosives Entry School, U.S. Army Close Combat Instructor Course, Marine Corps Close Combat Instructor Course, Special Warfare Center Level II Anti-Terrorism Instructor Course and was the Chief Instructor for the U.S. Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School. He has also completed the BSR Special Security and Anti-Terrorism Driving Course, Blackwater Training Center Tactical Pistol Course and the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Combat Marksmanship Training course.

About the presentation:
This one-hour presentation by Will Parker will discuss soft counter-measures, hard counter-measures — up to and including firearm use — and fighting inside of a vehicle with a gun. Attendees will take an in-depth look at professions like ATM fillers, delivery persons, and taxi, Uber and Lyft drivers that often have to interact with bad individuals and violent criminals.

About the speaker:
Will Parker is a highly passionate, experienced firearms instructor and the founder of Freddie Merc's Gun Wercs and Glacier Speaks IT. Will retired in 2011 after a 25-year career with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. He teaches others how to not be victims of violence through both soft and hard measures. Outside of those who carry a firearm, he specializes in teaching realtors how to not be victims in their profession. In his 40+ years of experience with firearms, Will has trained hundreds of citizens and instructors while continuing his own education in the art of teaching others. Some of his instructor certifications include USCCA Senior Training Counselor; USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level I and II; I.C.E. Defensive Firearms; Law of Self-Defense Program; Range Safety Officer and Certified Instructor with NRA; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Hunter Education; Private Security Specialist, Rangemaster Graduate, MAG-40 Graduate and USMC Weapons & Tactics.

About the presentation:
No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. This is a sobering fact when you consider that a human being can die from blood loss within five minutes of an initial injury. In this free presentation, Paul Callahan will be teaching the various ways to control bleeding with or without a trauma kit

About the speaker:
After retiring from 35 years in the insurance business, Paul Callahan has made it a point to help individuals who are sick or injured and train others to do the same. His qualifications include NREMT certification with Tactical Emergency Training Support, TCCC and Rescue Task Force training. Paul is an instructor in American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross (ARC) CPR/AED and first aid. He also instructs in basic bleeding control, verbal defense and influence, USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level 1 and Accident Scene Management Bystander Assistance. Additionally, Paul serves as a reserve police officer, Tae-Kwon-Do instructor, a member of the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association, National Tactical Officers Association and on several charity boards.