Michael Craig, President & General Manager
As founder of Personal Defense Systems, Michael drives the business end and curriculum design of all of our educational and training programs by bringing nearly 30 years of strong organizational skills and training expertise from his professional production & staging career. During this same time period he's been intensely involved with firearm instruction and training for the last 25+ years with an emphasis on personal defense and competitive shooting. In 2009, Michael formed Ohio Shooting Sports, Ltd and merged it into Personal Defense Systems in 2014. He is now is our business manager, lead instructor and guest instructor manager.
In order to keep up with the most current defense oriented training methodologies, he regularly seeks self-defense oriented training and instructor development courses. Some of his instructors have been; John Benner at Tactical Defense Institute (TDI),Greg Ellifritz -Active Response Training John Farnam; Brian LaMaster at Innovative Tactical Concepts, Michael Janich - Martial Blade Concepts, Tom Givens, RangeMaster, Dave Spaulding - Handgun Combatives, Rory Miller-Chiron Training, Chris Cerino - Cerino Training Group, Robert Vogel -VogelDynamics and is a USCCA Certified Handgun Instructor & Training Councilor and is aCertified Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Handgun Instructor.
In order to keep up with the most current defense oriented training methodologies, he regularly seeks self-defense oriented training and instructor development courses. Some of his instructors have been; John Benner at Tactical Defense Institute (TDI),Greg Ellifritz -Active Response Training John Farnam; Brian LaMaster at Innovative Tactical Concepts, Michael Janich - Martial Blade Concepts, Tom Givens, RangeMaster, Dave Spaulding - Handgun Combatives, Rory Miller-Chiron Training, Chris Cerino - Cerino Training Group, Robert Vogel -VogelDynamics and is a USCCA Certified Handgun Instructor & Training Councilor and is aCertified Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Handgun Instructor.
guest instructors
Personal Defense Systems also hosts many guest instructors. Each of these instructors bring unique talents and experiences to the classroom and range. Gun ranges have a lot of daily responsibilities to keep their business running smoothly. Our hosting service allows a range to focus on its daily activities and we take care of all of the logistics of bringing in guest instructors to the range to its members and guests. This includes marketing the class using websites, forums, social media, provide credit card systems for tuition payments, online registration, providing range props and equipment. In the end the range, the students all benefit from this service.
Bryan McKean - Martial Blade Concepts Columbus
Bryan began studying under Dave Holloway, Grove City Karate, Ltd. at the age of 16 earning the rank of Nidan (2nd-degree black belt), Fugitanahi-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate. In February of 1999, he concurrently began studying Kwanmukan Karate, earning the rank of Nidan (2nd-degree black belt). In addition to karate, Bryan has studied Kashima Shito-Ryu Iaido, Yamani -Ryu Kobudo, Tai-Chi, Tai-Chi sword and Hung Gar Gung Fu. Bryan also holds the rank of Shodan in Yamanaka Koju Te-Ju-Jitsu. Currently, Bryan is the Lead Instructor for Survival Operating Systems with Dave Holloway.
In addition to the traditional martial arts, Bryan is trained in the Martial Blade Concepts system with Michael Janich and is currently an Certified Instructor (one of only six). He has also served as an assistant instructor to Mr. Janich on numerous occasions and is one of the most accomplished MBC practitioners in the nation. Martial Blade Concepts(MBC) is an edged-weapons training program specifically designed to meet the needs of today's concerned citizen and armed professional. The goal of MBC is the development of "all purpose" defensive skills rather than learning a large number of specific techniques and learning how to apply them to literally hundreds of different defensive situations. Through this easy-to-learn method, students develop defensive proficiency very quickly and have both the ability and the confidence to employ their skills after only a brief period of training.
Other Training and awards include: Completed James Yeager's Tactical Pistol course. Certified Adult and Infant CPR. Dave Grossman "Bulletproof Mind: Mental Preparation for Combat" seminar. Surveillance Detection Seminar. Terrorism First Responders course. Ohio CCW course, Ohio Law Enforcement Training Center. Executive and Dignitary Protection Course, Legion Protective Services. Principles of concealment, CQC. NRA Certified Instructor. TDI Tactical Pistol Levels 1-3, Named Instructor of the year 2004 by Kwanmukan International.
Bryan is a full time police officer for a agency located in Central Ohio.
In addition to the traditional martial arts, Bryan is trained in the Martial Blade Concepts system with Michael Janich and is currently an Certified Instructor (one of only six). He has also served as an assistant instructor to Mr. Janich on numerous occasions and is one of the most accomplished MBC practitioners in the nation. Martial Blade Concepts(MBC) is an edged-weapons training program specifically designed to meet the needs of today's concerned citizen and armed professional. The goal of MBC is the development of "all purpose" defensive skills rather than learning a large number of specific techniques and learning how to apply them to literally hundreds of different defensive situations. Through this easy-to-learn method, students develop defensive proficiency very quickly and have both the ability and the confidence to employ their skills after only a brief period of training.
Other Training and awards include: Completed James Yeager's Tactical Pistol course. Certified Adult and Infant CPR. Dave Grossman "Bulletproof Mind: Mental Preparation for Combat" seminar. Surveillance Detection Seminar. Terrorism First Responders course. Ohio CCW course, Ohio Law Enforcement Training Center. Executive and Dignitary Protection Course, Legion Protective Services. Principles of concealment, CQC. NRA Certified Instructor. TDI Tactical Pistol Levels 1-3, Named Instructor of the year 2004 by Kwanmukan International.
Bryan is a full time police officer for a agency located in Central Ohio.
Greg Ellifritz - Active Response Training
Greg Ellifritz is Active Response Training’s President and Primary Instructor. He is a veteran police officer, spending 13 years as the full time tactical training officer for his central Ohio agency. In that position, he was responsible for developing and instructing all of the in-service training for a 54-officer police department. Prior to his training position, he worked as a patrol officer, bike patrol officer, bike patrol coordinator, and field training officer for his agency. He currently serves as a patrol officer, firearms instructor, armorer, and precision marksman.
He has been an active instructor for the Tactical Defense Institute since 2001 and a lead instructor for TDI’s ground fighting, knife fighting, active shooter, impact weapons, and extreme close quarters shooting classes.
Greg holds instructor, master instructor, or armorer certifications in more than 75 different weapons systems, defensive tactics programs, and law enforcement specialty areas. In addition to these instructor certifications, Greg has trained with many of the leading firearms and edged weapons instructors in the country.
Greg has been an adjunct instructor for the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy, teaching firearms, defensive tactics, bike patrol, knife defense, and physical fitness topics. He has taught firearms and self defense classes at the national and international level through the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, The American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.
He has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management and has written for several publications and websites including: ‘The Firearms Instructor”, “Ohio Police Chief”, “Combat Handguns”, Survivalblog.com, “Concealed Carry Magazine”, Primedia’s “Personal & Home Defense Annual”, and “American Handgunner”.
He has been an active instructor for the Tactical Defense Institute since 2001 and a lead instructor for TDI’s ground fighting, knife fighting, active shooter, impact weapons, and extreme close quarters shooting classes.
Greg holds instructor, master instructor, or armorer certifications in more than 75 different weapons systems, defensive tactics programs, and law enforcement specialty areas. In addition to these instructor certifications, Greg has trained with many of the leading firearms and edged weapons instructors in the country.
Greg has been an adjunct instructor for the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy, teaching firearms, defensive tactics, bike patrol, knife defense, and physical fitness topics. He has taught firearms and self defense classes at the national and international level through the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, The American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.
He has a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management and has written for several publications and websites including: ‘The Firearms Instructor”, “Ohio Police Chief”, “Combat Handguns”, Survivalblog.com, “Concealed Carry Magazine”, Primedia’s “Personal & Home Defense Annual”, and “American Handgunner”.
Steve Ormeroid - Lead Instructor
Ohio Concealed Handgun Training & Certification Program
As a Master Electrician, Extreme Underwater Cave Explorer, Distinguished Graduate at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute and Certified IDPA Safety Officer, Steve brings a wealth of unique experience to the classroom and range training programs. Currently, as a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, USCCA Certified Instructor and USCCA Training Councilor Steve heads up the Ohio Concealed Handgun Training and Certification Program at Personal Defense Systems and assists with many of the other firearm classes. As assistant match director at PCSI from 2008-2012, Match Director at Richwood Gun & Game Club, Richwood, Ohio Steve has designed and managed years of local matches and brought hundreds of new and experience shooters to the competitive field. As a Ohio Concealed Handgun Licensee since its inception in 2004 Steve brings his unique blend of experiences to each and every student that participates in our Ohio CHL program. His professional electrical contracting business and his extreme underwater diving exploration experience solidify his understanding of the need to follow safety protocols and his perfect record shows his dedication in his personal and profession life. Personal defense practice and theory play a large part in Steve's life and his desire to share this with like minded students brings a welcome addition to our teaching staff.
Robert G. Vogel- VogelDynamics.com
Robert was born and raised on a farm in rural Ohio and was brought up to have a healthy respect for hard work and discipline. From a very young age shooting and hunting also became a big part of his life. Always being somewhat of a thrill-seeker, the Law Enforcement profession sparked his interest while in high school. After graduation he went immediately into a 2 year Police Academy Program. He excelled at this and graduated as valedictorian of his class. It was while Robert was in the Academy that he began shooting competitively in IDPA. Since finishing 1st out of 19 shooters at his first ever pistol match in September of 2001 he has never looked back. At present Robert is a 2-time World and 13-time US National Champion across 3 separate shooting disciplines. He holds the distinction of being the only Law Enforcement Officer of any kind to have achieved much of what he has in the practical shooting realm.
Always intensely driven to be the best he can be Robert continues to maintain the dedication & discipline required to be a top competitive shooter. As of May 2012 Robert has went from full-time Law Enforcement to part-time in order to focus more on his shooting/instructing career.
Always intensely driven to be the best he can be Robert continues to maintain the dedication & discipline required to be a top competitive shooter. As of May 2012 Robert has went from full-time Law Enforcement to part-time in order to focus more on his shooting/instructing career.
