Our Instructor Information
This page is always updating! We have some of the best instructors in the industry.
All of our Board of Directors are also Instructors here. Our instructors are experts in their instructing discipline. We choose our instructors based on professionalism, credentials, real-world experience on a full-time basis, instructional background and many other factors. There's a reason why the US Government hires us for various discipline specific technical rescue based training.
Our Instructors
Andrew Rigel
Carter Portillo
Carter Portillo
Andrew served in the US Army for 21 years. He retired from US Army Special Forces 1st Group (Green Berets) as a Weapons Sergeant and Multi-Purpose Canine Handler.
Carter Portillo
Carter Portillo
Carter Portillo
Senior Chief Portillo served in the US Navy as a SWCC for over 20 years, retiring soon. He's held various leadership roles in Naval Special Warfare including LCPO.
John Avery
Carter Portillo
Michael Droubay
John served with the US Drug Administration (DEA) as a Special Agent for over 20 years. He's worked in the DEA's Special Operations Division and was an Instructor at the DEA Training Academy.
Michael Droubay
Carter Portillo
Michael Droubay
Michael worked for 7 years as a Senior Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician. He's worked as a NR-EMT and has held various positions as an instructor in the US Navy.
Mike Tasman
Richard Blanford
Mike Tasman
24 years in the fire service industry, EMT, Rescue Technician, Water Rescue Technician, Land Search Technician, Hazmat Technician, Captain of the county
dive/rescue team (GASP) with ERDI training, US Diplomatic Executive Protection. Trained with a private investigation background and has taught executive protection classes, Bail Bonds agen
24 years in the fire service industry, EMT, Rescue Technician, Water Rescue Technician, Land Search Technician, Hazmat Technician, Captain of the county
dive/rescue team (GASP) with ERDI training, US Diplomatic Executive Protection. Trained with a private investigation background and has taught executive protection classes, Bail Bonds agent that specialized in fugitive recovery, Phazzer instructor, and Interspiro AGA Mask technician.
Devon Lee
Richard Blanford
Mike Tasman
Marine Corps veteran who served from 2015 to 2023 on various International deployments. In the US he went to the Chemical Biological Incident Response
Force in Maryland. From 2018 to 2021 he became certified in numerous disciplines of rescue such as: Ropes, Confined Space, Trench, Structural Collapse, and Vehicle Extrication. Devon also cross trained into HAZMAT and CBRN.
Greg Merrell
Richard Blanford
Richard Blanford
Greg is a Battalion Chief for Oklahoma City Fire Department for 21 years and is the Task Force Leader for OK-TF1/USAR. He is a former US Army Blackhawk UH-60 Pilot, Swiftwater Rescue Technician & a Safety Diver.
Richard Blanford
Richard Blanford
Richard Blanford
Captain Rick Blandford (Ret.) began his career in the Fire Service in 1984. He was assigned to the Cabin John Fire Department, located near the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland. There he was skilled in water rescue and boat operations at Great Falls Park Maryland. In 1989, Rick was assigned to the Hazardous Materials Team loca
Captain Rick Blandford (Ret.) began his career in the Fire Service in 1984. He was assigned to the Cabin John Fire Department, located near the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland. There he was skilled in water rescue and boat operations at Great Falls Park Maryland. In 1989, Rick was assigned to the Hazardous Materials Team located at Chevy Chase Fire Department. From there, he held every rank on the HazMat Team from Firefighter to Captain. Rick retired from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services on January 1, 2017, after 31 years as a career firefighter and Hazmat Specialist. After retirement, Rick joined as a Volunteer Firefighter/Hazmat Specialist for Washington County, Maryland. Rick also serves as the Maryland State Coordinator for TRANSCAER to provide free Hazmat personnel training throughout the State of Maryland.
Chad Wright
Nicholas Regan
Nicholas Regan
Bio coming soon!
Nicholas Regan
Nicholas Regan
Nicholas Regan
BIO COMING SOON!
Jon Ordway
Nicholas Regan
Jess Ogozaly
Growing up in the Southern Adirondacks, Jon spent most of his life exploring everything the mountains, lakes and rivers had to offer. Joining his local rescue squad at the age of 16 he started his career as a first responder. Jon has taken the time to learn specific skill sets outside of traditional ambulance medicine including, backcount
Growing up in the Southern Adirondacks, Jon spent most of his life exploring everything the mountains, lakes and rivers had to offer. Joining his local rescue squad at the age of 16 he started his career as a first responder. Jon has taken the time to learn specific skill sets outside of traditional ambulance medicine including, backcountry rescue, technical rescue, and tactical medicine. Jon is currently an Advanced EMT for Essex County Office of Emergency Services and a Corrections Officer with Washington County Sheriff's Office holding a board certification as a Tactical Responder through IBSC.
Jess Ogozaly
Nicholas Regan
Jess Ogozaly
BIO COMING SOON!
Adam Macaluso
Adam Macaluso
Adam Macaluso
Adam served in the US Marines for 20 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, worked as a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security NY and worked as a Detective in his local Police Department while serving with their Tactical Team and DEA Task Force.
Miles Kehr
Adam Macaluso
Adam Macaluso
Bio coming soon!
Joseph Vulpis
Adam Macaluso
Joseph Vulpis
Joseph (Joey), one of our co-founders, has been a Mountain Guide & Mountain Rescue Instructor for many years. He works as a Government Contractor and expert in remote, wilderness, technical environments. He is a certified Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Mountain Rescue Technician, Arborist, Wilderness EMT and TCCC.
Christy Daino
Adam Macaluso
Joseph Vulpis
Christy earned her bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a concentration in fish and wildlife management and currently works with her County Government as an Environmental Specialist, CCMP (Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program) Monitor & Sampler, and HAZMAT Emergency Responder. Prior to that, she worked in Wildlife Rehabilitation for
Christy earned her bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a concentration in fish and wildlife management and currently works with her County Government as an Environmental Specialist, CCMP (Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program) Monitor & Sampler, and HAZMAT Emergency Responder. Prior to that, she worked in Wildlife Rehabilitation for over 10 years. Additionally, she has worked as a Mountain Guide for 8 years; particularly focused on rock climbing & canyon courses, as well as instruction in the technical & safety aspects of outdoor activities.