Matt’s experience with weapons and personal protection began at a very young age while growing up in the small Village of Cayuga, NY. He started honing his skills with BB/pellet guns/pistols, re-curve bows and arrows, blowguns, knives, hatchets, machetes, sling shots and even spears while frog gigging.
Experiences and Positions
- United States Army Veteran
- New York State Law Enforcement Officer with multiple departments
- NY Law Enforcement Instructor teaching at LE academies for new recruits and providing annual in-service training for currently sworn officers
- Region 4 Director of the NY State Constable Association
- Pro Staff for Laser Ammo and Angel Armor
- Pistol Permit Safety Course instructor for over 24 New York Counties
- Founder and Lead Instructor of Public Safety and Education (PS&Ed)
- Major in the United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol
- Former Central New York Group Deputy Commander and Syracuse Cadet Squadron Commander
- Founder and Commander of the annual Rifles and Ropes Bivouac
- Flight Crew Mission Observer for Emergency Services and Counter Drug Missions
- Founder and Director of his Neighborhood Watch
- Former Boy Scouts of America Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun Merit Badge Counselor and Range Safety Officer
Licenses and Certifications
- New York State DCJS Certified Defensive Tactics (DT), General Topics (GT), and ASR/Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Instructor
- Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc. (ASP)
- Certified Expandable Baton Instructor
- Certified Handcuffing Instructor
- Certified Flashlight Instructor
- Safariland Training Group
- Certified OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) Instructor
- Certified Haitt Tactical Handcuffing Instructor
- Sabre/Security Equipment Corporation (SEC)
- Certified Personal Safety Academy Instructor (pepper spray)
- Utah State Certified Concealed Firearms Instructor
- National Rifle Association (NRA)
- Appointed Training Counselor (Train the Trainer)
- Appointed Regional Counselor for RTBV (Train the Trainer)
- Certified Instructor in the disciplines of
- Pistol Shooting
- Rifle Shooting
- Shotgun Shooting
- Personal Protection in the Home (PPITH)
- Personal Protection outside the Home (PPOTH)
- Refuse to be a Victim (RTBV)
- Home Firearm Safety
- Metallic Cartridge Reloading
- Shotgun Shell Reloading
- Muzzleloading
- Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
- Recruiter
- United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
- Certified Training Counselor (Train the Trainer)
- Certified Instructor
- Recruiter
- Utah State Certified Concealed Firearms Instructor
- United States Air National Guard Chief Range Officer and Range Safety Officer
- LSU Site Protection through Observational Techniques (SPOT) Instructor
- TSU Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Train-the-Trainer
- New York State
- Sworn NY Law Enforcement Officer
- Licensed Armed Security Guard
- Licensed Notary Public
- Boater Safety Course Instructor
- NY Driver Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) Instructor
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
- Certified Hunter Education Instructor
- Licensed Safe and Avid Fisherman and Hunter for both small and large game
- Federal Communications Commission Certified Technician Class Amateur Radio (HAM) Operator
- American Red Cross, Adult and Pediatrics First Aid/CPR/AED Certified
- 24-Hour HAZWOPER/ERT Certification
- New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida, and Utah Full Carry Pistol Permit Holder
- United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, Certified Radio Operator, Mission Radio Operator, Communications Unit Leader and former CNY Group Communications Officer
Education and Training
- New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
- Firearms Instructor Certification (FIC) Course
- Patrol Rifle Operator (PRO) Course
- Tactical Shotgun Course
- CED (Conducted Electrical Device) TASER User Course
- Law Enforcement Firearms Training
- Peace Officer Academy
- New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO)
- Initial Response to Active Shooters (IRAS) Course
- Emergency Vehicle Defensive Driving (EVDD) Operators Course (EVOC)
- Site Protection through Observational Techniques (SPOT), Student Course
- ICS-300 Incident Command System (ICS)
- Department of State
- 47 hour armed guard initial firearms course
- Numerous eight hour security guard courses over many years
- 16 hour on-the-job security guard training
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- IS-00100.LEb – Introduction to the Incident Command System for Law Enforcement (ICS-100)
- IS-00100.a – Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100)
- IS-00200.a – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- IS-00700.a – National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
- IS-00800.B – National Response Framework, An Introduction
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Basic Wildland Search Skills Course
- Investigating Animal Cruelty – New York State Humane Association and Broome County Sheriff’s Office
- Many Civil Air Patrol courses in search and rescue both on a ground team and flight crew along with graduating from the CAP Ranger Survival School in Pennsylvania
- Active Shooter, TASER, OC, Baton, Riot Control, and Handcuff Training as end user
- Training in the US Army in Hand-to-Hand Combat
- Krav Maga, Karate, Taekwondo, and Wrestling
- New York State Boating Safety Certification
Qualifications and Competitions
- Law Enforcement Distinguished Expert with Pistol
- United States Army Expert Certifications in Rifle and Grenade
- International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)
- Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF)
- United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) competitor
- National Rifle Association Marksman Certification in Rifle
- National Rifle Association Sharpshooter Certification in Shotgun
- Project Appleseed Qualified as Sharpshooter
Affiliations and Memberships
- National Rifle Association Life Member
- USCCA Member
- NY State Constable Association Director
- Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) Member
- Syracuse Pistol Club Board Member
- Nedrow Sportsmen’s Club Member
- And a handful of other ranges in the CNY area