Instructors & Private Instruction

An industry professional since 2012 and a member of the West Coast Armory team since 2015, 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 carry practitioner for more than 18 years, and having a lifelong passion for the shooting sports, he has had the opportunity to steadily hone 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. 

In addition to being a certified member of the Bellevue Gun Club instruction and coaching staff, Adam is a full time NRA-qualified Range Safety Officer at Bellevue Gun Club.

Outside of the company, he is a classically trained musician on several instruments and enjoys the arts, philosophy, psychology, and film.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Brett Bass is the Safer Homes, Suicide Aware Program Coordinator.  He joins Forefront after years of volunteering on the Firearms Subcommittee of the Safer Homes task force.  Brett enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 2006, completing Military Police School in 2007 as the Honor Graduate of his class.  He reported to MWSS-473, Det. A in Fresno, CA shortly thereafter and was mobilized to active duty.  Upon moving to Washington, Brett transferred to H&S Co. 4^th LSB out of Ft. Lewis.  He deployed to Latvia with his battalion in 2010, Kuwait (from 2011-2012) and Afghanistan (from 2012-2013) as an individual augment with MARCENT.

After returning to the United States, Brett began his career in the firearms industry after many years of civilian work in private security.  He currently holds Range Safety Officer, Chief Range Safety Officer, pistol instructor, and rifle instructor certifications from the National Rifle Association as well as CPR, AED, & basic first aid instructor certifications from the Health & Safety Institute.  Brett has trained under some of the world’s most respected defensive shooting instructors, including Ken Hackathorn, Larry Vickers, Daryl Holland, John Holschen, Zach Harrison, David Sanders, and Chuck Pressburg.  He has trained thousands of students in the safe, responsible, and effective use of firearms.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Bio coming soon.

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Colleen Morgan, a northwest native, developed an interest in firearms at a young age. Colleen’s grandfather was an avid hunter in Georgia. After completing her hunter education certification at the age of 12, Colleen and her father would fly to Georgia each year to hunt on family land with her grandfather and cousins. This tradition continues today.

While in high school, Colleen was a member of the United State Marine Corps JROTC Rifle Team and won a variety of target shooting medals.  Colleen later attended Central Washington University earning a double major in Psychology and Law.

Today Colleen continues to hone her firearm skills and is an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, Rifle Instructor, Shotgun Instructor and Range Safety Officer.

Colleen thoroughly enjoys instructing and sharing her expertise on the safe and practical use of firearms. She is known for being an approachable and compassionate instructor who spends whatever time necessary to explain the safe use of firearms. Colleen is passionate about teaching individuals who have never used a firearm and is very involved with spearheading and developing many of the women’s programs at Bellevue Gun Club.

Colleen is an adept problem solver who enjoys spending time with friends and family and has a passion for the outdoors, music, and yoga.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Bio coming soon.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

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)

Today, Erik operates in the both the public and private sector for the US Marshal Service, providing uniformed and plain clothes protection details for foreign and domestic dignitaries, entertainment figures, fortune 100 clientele and federal judges.

Erik provides firearms instruction, personal safety consulting, executive protection, weapons/tactics consulting for several video game projects; and teaches defensive tactics/ martial arts through his company Pathfinder Combatives.  Additionally, he assists with training events, High Value Asset Transport, special activities, and executive protection details internationally.

Currently a 5^th degree black belt; Erik was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in October, 2017.

He has been trained and certified to operate as part of an Anti-Piracy Security team through the International Maritime Security Network for anti-piracy/ counter terror operations in East Africa. Holds a Maritime Captain License (OUPV/ Master 100 Ton) providing Anti Terror/ Force Protection for the US Navy aboard an armed civilian patrol boat.  And is also a certified tactical tracker through the Tactical Tracking Operations School. (Rural Law Enforcement Academy, 2014).

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

“Drake”, a US MARINE CORPS Veteran, currently works as an Executive Protection Agent, and contractor for Department of Defense and the US Marshal. He is the Lead Law Enforcement Instructor for Next Level Training (SIRT Pistols) and Primary Instructor for the nationally recognized defensive tactics training group ARRESTLING. Drake trains Law Enforcement officers, military personnel and protection teams. He started his law enforcement trainer career more than 30 years ago all the while building his own career in SWAT, as a Narcotics Detective and a K-9 handler.

Drake has been a Firearms instructor since 1988 and holds numerous certifications for many categories of firearms. He started Martial Arts at a young age and has trained in many styles. Drake was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 as Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year. He has been featured in law enforcement, martial arts and shooting magazines and is a nationally recognized trainer and speaker.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Joe is a retired Police Officer with 32 years of experience in Law Enforcement.  During his time as a Police Officer Joe was a Tactical Team Leader in his departments Disorder Response Team, Firearms Instructor, specializing in Washington State’s Use of Force Continuum, Handgun and Rifle Tactics, Weapon manipulations and Marksmanship.  Joe is also a Taser Instructor, Pepper Spray Instructor and Reality Based Scenario Instructor.  Mr. Bundy has Trained Elite Agencies such as the FBI, The US Military Branches, US Customs and The Central Intelligence Agency of Qatar (QIASS) on Firearms Handling, Less Lethal Tactics and Disorder Response. Mr. Bundy has recently acquired his State of Washington Private Investigator Firearms Instructor Certificate.

Joe is a skilled events and tactical coordinator due in part to his training in: Response to Civil Disorder, Advanced ICS Training and his experience in leadership roles while working as a Police Officer. Joe lives by the motto…Show up and pay attention. Mr. Bundy is trusted by several Fortune 500 companies with the responsibility of Executive and High Value Asset Protection. Despite Mr. Bundy having the ability to be a formidable presence, he also has the skills to diffuse tense situations with sincerity and a problem-solving attitude.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Joshua Sandoval is a United States Army Veteran, enlisting in 2014 as a Cavalry Scout, trained in reconnaissance operations, and small team tactics. He graduated OSUT training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, later stationed at Joint Base Richardson-Elmendorf (JBER), in Anchorage, Alaska.

At JBER, Joshua was trained in arctic survival and mountaineering, airborne operations, drone reconnaissance and small team tactics. Throughout his tenure Joshua participated in two JRTC’S, over twenty fixed wing and rotary wing jumps in arctic climates, serving in both Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Outside of routine military training, Joshua underwent private tutelage from (RET.) SFC P. Kelly, setting the basis for Joshua’s philosophies on defense training as a discipline, martial art and athletic pursuit of perfection.

After managing the range for 3 years, Joshua is now our social media coordinator and following his true passion, working full time in the coffee industry. He likes to hike and backpack in his free time.

Josh is certified by the NRA as a Range Safety Officer, Rifle Instructor, and Pistol Instructor. Availability for private lessons is primarily provided Thursdays and Fridays.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

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.

In 2018 she earned the title of “Officer of the Year”. Julia is currently assigned as a collision investigator with her agency and is the first women motorcycle officer there. Julia has recently taken a position at Bellevue Gun Club helping citizens understand firearms and the legalities of handgun ownership.

Julia is passionate about personal safety, community service and family. She enjoys motorcycle riding, outdoor activities like trail running and sparring with anyone who is willing.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

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 nearly 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.

Paul is an NRA Certified Rifle Instructor, Pistol Instructor, and Range Safety Officer. He has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Washington. His teaching style draws from influences as wide-ranging as mythology professor Joseph Campbell, martial artist Bruce Lee, and the Urban Rifle doctrine of Clint & Heidi Smith.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Sean Wise is an accomplished training instructor with over 20 years in the industry. Sean’s first instructor assignment was during his military service where he was assigned as a military working dog team instructor. After a brief period in retail management, Sean was employed by the Department of Justice as a Correctional Officer. During this time he was selected as a member of the Special Operations Response Team with a collateral duty of firearms trainer.

Later, as a Federal Air Marshal, Sean was selected as a member of the Seattle Field Office’s training team. As a Federal Air Marshal trainer, Sean administered core curriculum training in order for FAM’s to maintain proficiency standards in firearms, mission tactics and first responder. In addition to maintaining core standards, Sean developed and taught customized training venues based on current threat intelligence, participated in headquarters training division working groups to review current methodologies and materials as to their relevance to current threat intelligence, maintained Seattle’s ASO program and conducted FFDO requalifications.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

Tyler started his martial arts career in 1998 at Karate NW and attained the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt under Sensei Isaias Valdovinos in 2007.  During this time period he also took instruction in Combat Hapkido, Goshinjitsu, Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Krav Maga.  Tyler continued his martial art training in combatives by training under the Arrestling program created by the Founder Don Gulla and with Dr Eric Cobb, the Director of Training for BLAUER Combatives for nearly a decade.

Tyler was hired by the Auburn Police Department in June of 2002 where he began his career in law enforcement.  He spent his first five years in the patrol division working the graveyard shift where he began to learn not only the basics of criminal investigation and procedures but got a close up look at real world violence.  In 2005 he attended the Washington State Firearms Instructor and SWAT basic courses and joined the Valley SWAT Team.  Over the next nine years Tyler excelled in this position and was an Assistant Team Leader from 2008 until he left the team in 2013.  During this time, Tyler was one of the primary firearms instructors for the team and became one of the lead instructors for tubular assaults (planes, trains and automobiles).

In 2007 Tyler rotated out of the patrol division in to the Special Investigations Unit.  This unit was responsible for street to mid-level drug dealing in the area as well as gangs, vice and proactive investigations focused on apprehending dangerous felons.  During this assignment Tyler began to gain experience in under cover operations, working with various drug units in the region to include Federal task forces.

In 2011 Tyler was assigned as the Department Range Master.  In this position Tyler took on the firearms program where he revamped the training program and curricula, managed the budget and was responsible for tracking and documenting over 300 agency owned weapons.

In 2012, Tyler was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where he began to take on the challenges of leading and guiding others through their daily responses to calls for service and helping to guide their careers where able.  After three years in the patrol division Tyler was rotated back to the Special Investigations Unit as the unit supervisor where he began to take on greater roles and responsibilities within the agency, specifically the collecting, recording and auditing of civil seizures and the care / maintenance of sensitive equipment and confidential documents held under lock and key.

In 2019, Tyler was then rotated to the Administrative Services and Training division where he began to learn and hone his administrative skills. In this assignment Tyler was responsible for coordinating, documenting and ensuring the mandatory and extracurricular training of over 110 personnel.  Additionally, he was the supervisor over the departments accreditation process which his agency passed with ease.  In addition to training and accreditation, Tyler was in charge of the agencies Community Response Team, Bicycle Patrol Unit and Animal Control.  In this role Tyler worked closely with entities within the city whose job it was to deal with the quality of life issues affecting the local business community and transient population.

In 2022, Tyler rotated back to the patrol division where he began to utilize his 20 years of experience to help guide and mentor a young patrol crew.  Though Tyler has enjoyed his law enforcement career he has taken many of the skills learned and began a private business dedicated to the education of safety and self defense.  This has opened up doors for Tyler to teach both on the State and national level.  Tyler is looking forward to the next 20 years of growth and education.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE

扎克·何是贝尔维尤枪械俱乐部的周末(周三至周六)经理，他研究、训练和教授用于枪械精度、精度和速度的高性能概念。除了他的基本训练，Zach在两年多的时间里教导和共同指导了BGC课程，与L.E.和军事社区的高级成员密切合作，在华盛顿州山区进行的训练。扎克将自己训练有素的经验带到课程中，擅长换位思考的Zach为学生提供了一个极易理解且高效的学习环境。

因为能够流利地说普通话和英语，扎克为俱乐部与整个枪械社区的沟通鸿沟搭建了桥梁。从中加强了设施和火器社区的整体“沟通”。工作之余，扎克是西雅图当地的一名半职业霹雳舞演员，他曾在世界各地巡回演出并参加比赛。

Zach He is one of Bellevue Gun Club’s range managers, who studies, trains and teaches high performance concepts when applied to accuracy, precision and speed with a firearm. He has coached and co-instructed BGC courses over a two-year period, working closely with senior members of the L.E. and military communities outside of his own training conducted in the mountains of Washington State. Zach brings a trained civilians’ experience to the table, providing a relatable and knowledgeable curriculum to his students.

Being fluent in both Mandarin and English, Zach helps bridge a communicative gap that may otherwise exist or prove a barrier for some in our community. Zach’s primary focus, as a firearms instructor, is teaching new/newer shooters safety, entry level basics and fundamental concepts of shooting.

Outside of work, Zach is a local, semi-pro break-dancer, having toured and competed all over the world.

For more information on private instruction CLICK HERE