Our Team

Mark started his professional shooting career by competing in the sport of United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA/IPSC). He went on to compete in 3 gun competitions in the sports of Chevy Truck Team Challenge, Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) and USPSA 3-Gun. While competing professionally and training with local law enforcement and military personnel, Mark has developed his firearms expertise in rifle, shotgun, competitive handgun, defensive handgun and personal protection.

His in-depth experience has enabled him to evaluate and implement related curriculum-based material on modern teaching techniques and proven methodologies.

As owner and lead instructor of Practical Defense Tactics, LLC, Mark has continually demonstrated the ability and willingness to respond to students in a manner that is both effective and friendly. He delivers in-depth instruction on practical techniques that have contributed to his own competitive success and the success of many others.

Mark is a highly skilled marksman and is ranked Master in USPSA. His ability to make practical, administrative and tactical decisions effectively under competitive and situationally induced stress has made him one of the Nation’s top instructors and a fierce competitor securing over 50 championship titles in state, regional, national and world competitions over the last 30 years.

Mark also knows the importance of combative skills and is trained in Krav Maga by Kenpo black belt and Krav Maga instructor David Kopec of Advance Self Defense Tactics. Mark has achieved his Ronin Krav Maga 360 Degree Handgun Threat Defense & Disarms Instructor certification and continues to train regularly in hand to hand combatives under David’s tutelage.

He takes pride in his ability to work closely with students to better understand and manage their shooting behavior and to prepare them for whatever circumstances they may encounter.

Some of Mark’s Certifications/Education

• Practical Defense Tactics, LLC Founder/Owner
• Practical Defense Tactics, Lead Firearms Instructor
• Practical Defense Tactics, Director of Training and Education
• S.A.W. Situational Awareness Workshop Instructor
• Ronin Krav Maga 360 Degree Handgun Threat Defense & Disarms Instructor
• Massachusetts, State Police Basic Firearms Safety Instructor
• Massachusetts, Law Enforcement Safety Act Instructor
• NRA Pistol Instructor
• NRA Rifle Instructor
• NRA Home Firearms Safety Instructor
• NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor
• NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
• NRA Chief Range Safety Officer Instructor
• NRA Defensive Pistol Instructor
• NRA Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor
• NRA Shot Shell Reloading Instructor
• NRA Advanced Personal Protection Outside the Home
• Rhode Island, Handgun Safety Instructor
• USPSA National Range Officer
• FEMA Emergency Management Training IS-00907 Active Shooter
• FEMA Emergency Management Training IS-00106.15 Work Place Violence
• FBI Citizens Academy 2009
• FBI Basic Small Unit Leadership, Teamwork and Force on Force Tactical Training
• FBI CAAA Active Shooter Preparation and Response Workshop 2015

Ray started his professional career by joining the Military

Kevin started his professional shooting career in the competitive sport of USPSA/IPSC. While competing professionally, Kevin developed his love for this sport and has dedicated himself to learning as much as he can as often as he can. His in-depth experience as an instructor goes far beyond the shooting industry.

Kevin was a computer programming instructor for a Fortune 500 consulting firm. He was also a professor at a major community college in Connecticut, proving he is well versed in getting subject matter out to his students.

As co-owner and operator of Practical Defense Tactics, LLC, Kevin continues to compete regularly in both open and limited divisions. He is well known on the USPSA circuit and is a highly respected and well liked competitor. Kevin was also involved in the 3 gun Chevy Truck Sportsman Team Challenge for several years winning many New England area events and placing second at the National event in Florida. Kevin is also highly active in both skeet and trap shooting a well as combat shotgun steel courses.

Kevin has also competed in many handgun Steel Challenge events throughout New England, and continues to participate in many local rifle competitions using the AR platform, in both tactical carbine and long-range competitions. One more aspect of competition shooting that Kevin performs is Man-on-Man plate/pin shoots – not only do these competitions test your accuracy skills but also the “mental game” of shooting. It is from these experiences that Kevin draws from his knowledge and transfer that knowledge to his students.

Kevin is extremely skilled with well over 40+ years of experience. His accomplishments reach far into all disciplines including Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun. Some of Kevin’s major accomplishments were finishing in the top 16 at the 1995 3-Gun Nationals. He was a youth intramural skeet champion and also represented the town of Cromwell in a Jaycee sponsored program promoting firearm safety and marksmanship. He has won several local and National titles as he moved up the competitive ranks in USPSA competitions.

Kevin’s competitiveness and penchant for knowledge make him an ideal instructor for both the novice and experienced shooter. Kevin promotes safety first which allows everyone to relax and enjoy his training.

Some of Kevin’s Certifications/Education

• Practical Defense Tactics, LLC COO
• Practical Defense Tactics Lead Instructor
• Beyond the Basics Defensive Handgun Instructor
• NRA Pistol Instructor
• NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor
• NRA Defensive Pistol Instructor
• NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
• M.R.P.C. Range Officer
• Connecticut, Safe Hunter
• Range day with FBI – Boston Field Office
• Advanced Competitive Shooting, Todd Jarrett, Shooting Express 1998
• FBI Basic Small Unit Leadership, Teamwork and Force on Force Tactical Training
• Ronin Krav Maga 360 Degree Handgun Defense and Disarms Workshop 2015
• FEMA Emergency Management Training IS-00907 Active Shooter

Eric found his love for shooting in the early 2000’s with over 15 years experience he decided to dedicate himself to learning as much as he can as often as he can. His in-depth experience as an instructor goes far beyond the shooting industries standards. Along with being a career firefighter he is also an active instructor for Practical Defense Tactics and the NRA. He is also a certified instructor for The International Movement of Stop The Bleed as well the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and Rhode Island Cardiac.  He is also certified in Tactical Combat Casualty Care and trained in Rapid Task Force rescue.  Eric’s burning passion is to teach others and show them how to improve themselves and to never stop learning. 

Some of Eric’s Certifications/Education

• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician – Cardiac
• Tactical Combat Casualty Care certified
• Stop the Bleed Instructor
• RTF Trained
• Career Firefighter
• NRA Basic Pistol Instructor