Instructors

Adam brings a refreshing civilian-oriented perspective to firearms training and use, with a particular emphasis on handguns and their related gear. As a dedicated concealed-carrier of over 20 years, he has had the opportunity to steadily hone his skills and practical perspectives under a variety of qualified instructors and offers a teaching style that is personable, patient and cognizant of individual learning differences. 

Adam is a classically-trained musician who enjoys writing, mechanical watches and has a diverse family of pets.

Brett Bass has worked in suicide prevention with an emphasis on lethal means safety since 2015 when he was recruited to represent the firearms industry of the state legislature’s Safer Homes Task Force.  He subsequently managed a statewide program for Forefront Suicide Prevention and is currently in charge of suicide prevention education and training for Nineli

Chris Kahrs is a retired Law Enforcement Officer of over seventeen years. His experience in law enforcement involved a variety of security and special mission executive details that included but was not limited to high-risk prisoner transport, witness protection and executive protection on numerous occasions of high ranking foreign and domestic government officials, including the President of the United States. During his career in law enforcement Chris acted as the SWAT liaison within the community and as the instructor for firearms in citizen’s academies.

Chris Angel is an 18-year U.S. military veteran, executive protection professional, and dedicated instructor with experience spanning Army operations both stateside and overseas, PSD support on OCONUS missions, and over seven years in Hollywood and corporate executive protection throughout California and Washington State. Throughout his career, he has focused on coaching, mentoring, and developing individuals across a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels.

Erik Schmidt is a former US Marine and a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served as a Federal Narcotics Detection K9 Officer for three years before becoming a local policeman in the Seattle area from 1999 to 2007. While serving in his law enforcement capacity his specialties included: 
Narcotic Detector Dog Handler, Police Mountain Bike, Firearms Instructor (Pistol, Submachine Gun, Patrol Rifle), Defensive Tactics Instructor, Undercover Narcotics Interdiction, Civil Disturbance Cadre (Deployed during the WTO, N30 and Mardi Gras 2001 riots) 

Jomel Mapa is a California-born Executive Security professional and United States Marine Corps veteran with over 12 years of experience protecting people, assets, and organizations. His journey began in the Marines, where he spent five years serving in both infantry and nuclear weapons security, developing a deep passion for rifle and pistol marksmanship, small-unit tactics, and hands-on leadership.

Joshua Sandoval is a United States Army Veteran, born in Saint Louis, Missouri. He enlisted in 2014 as a (Airborne) Cavalry Scout, specializing in reconnaissance operations, and small unit tactics. After graduating O.S.U.T. training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was later stationed at Joint Base Richardson-Elmendorf (JBER), in Anchorage, Alaska.

Julia Valencia, a northwest native, 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, even instructing security teams outside the USA. 
Julia was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 for her instruction in tactical training and women’s self-defense. Julia is the only female primary instructor for the nationally known defensive tactics training group ARRESTLING. 

Michael Mesa, our staff member who is currently serving in the Army National Guard, with the first seven years in active duty Army as an Infantryman. He is the Bravo team leader/Squad Designated Marksman in our Washington guard. His prior years were spent in Recon section and recent overseas tour was spent as a Recon Sniper, vs his first tour to the Middle-East as a counter-IED specialist/ rifleman; working along side ODA and EOD groups. Mike is an expert marksman in a plethora of firearms ranging from pistols, carbines, machine guns, and grenade launchers.

Paul Terrenzio is a member of the instructor staff at Bellevue Gun Club. His career as a firearms instructor began as a summer camp counselor, and his passion for teaching the fundamentals of marksmanship continues to this day. He brings over two decades of experience as a competitor and safety officer in the practical shooting sports to the role, as well as defensive firearms training from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and many nationally-recognized instructors.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Tyler joined a local police department on the cusp of 9-11, fulfilling a lifelong dream of his. After graduating the police academy, Tyler became heavily involved in competitive shooting where he trained and competed weekly. He quickly learned that his academy training was not enough.  After a few years of competing, he won the Washington State IDPA Championship in 2004 and 2005 and took second place in 2006.