Instructors and Staff

OWNER

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

 Mike is a Veteran of the U.S. Army and served as an Armor Crewman on active duty and in the Active Reserves in the Arctic Light Infantry and is a graduate of the Light Fighter Academy. In between enlistments, Mike worked a a private security contractor

From to 1992-2003, Mike's fulltime career was in Industrial Safety and was a Firefighter and  Emergency Medical Technician with specialized training in Confined Space Entry and Rescue and HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) Incident Command. 

In 2003, Mike went into Law Enforcement and served as a Field Training Officer;  Security Threat Group (gangs, organized crime, terrorist groups) Information Officer; Use of Force and Defensive Tactics  Instructor; and a member of both the Sheriff’s Mobile Field Force and Special Response Team, the later of which he was co-founder and one the two team leaders.

In 2018 Mike sustained a life threatening injury but did return to full duty after four months.  He retired early at the end of December of 2019 from the Sheriff's Office, but continues to serve in Law Enforcement as a Police Evidence Technician. 

Mike holds a black belt in Jhoon Goo Rhree  Karate and trains in Combat Jiu-Jitsu (CJJ). His other hobbies include hunting, camping, bushcraft, and urban exploration. 

Mike has been teaching Permit to Carry courses since 2008 and is  an A.L.I.C.E certified Train-the-Trainer instructor, an active threat response course for schools, businesses, and government agencies, as well as the Active shooter response Raider Course for Law Enforcement (Solo Engagement Tactics). 

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR & ADMINISTRATION

Paula has been with Rum River Tactical since 2017 as a Range Officer, Assistant Instructor, and Manager. 

She worked for over a decade as a bartender and bouncer in the St. Paul / Twin Cities area, taking care of the troublesome females that the male bouncers may have been uneasy about going hands on with. 

Paula works full time as a Lead Debt Collector for a large trucking company. She is a certified firearms and permit to carry instructor. 

Paula's hobbies include hunting, shooting, camping, fishing, softball, and off-roading.

INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

William is a combat-decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He is currently serving  the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Non-Commissioned Officer and has over 23 years of combined service. 

He has extensive experience in personal protection and security. 

His current certifications include: 

Army Common Faculty Development Instructor

NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home

NRA Range Safety Officer

INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

I am a 26-year United States Navy Veteran that served as a Navy Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) and Operations Manager. 

I have conducted and led seven deployments in various countries, and served as the Operations Manager in two areas of interest in support of the Theater Engagement Plan, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Highly decorated and distinguished Naval service record that supports effective leadership, and dedication to service.

Certifications

● Masters of Science Sports Leadership

● Former EMT-P

● 18D Long course Graduate

● Tactical Response Pistol Course

● Tactical Response Shotgun Course

● Certified Range Safety Officer (Static, Dynamic, Demo)

● Jump and Dive Master

● Personnel Security Manager, Lead/Advance/SOF Driver

 INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

With over 10 years of service in the US State Departments High Threat Protection Program and three years serving in one of the US Army’s Special Operations Units I will bring a level of professionalism and attention to detail required for any and all security situations. I have received the knowledge, tactics, and training required to handle the most dynamic of situations.

· Air Operations/Security Manager, Embassy Air Baghdad, Iraq

· Protective Security Specialist, Blackwater USA, Baghdad, Iraq

· US Army Airborne Ranger, Hunter Army Airfield, US Army, Savannah, GA

Certifications

• Dept. of State High Threat Protection Course II (WPPS)

• Dept. of State High Threat Protection Course (WPPS)

• Select International Executive Protection Course.

• Dept. of State Anti-Terrorist Driver Training

• Blackwater Pistol I, II and Advanced, Carbine I, II and

• Advanced, Shotgun, M249, M240, M203

• Blackwater Anti-Terrorist Driver Training

• Blackwater Off Road Drivers Course

• Blackwater Surveillance and Counter Surveillance Course

• NBC Operations Course

• Explosives Mobile Training Team (MTT)

• Advanced CQB MTT

• Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP)

• Combat Lifesaver Course

• Army Airborne School

• Basic Infantry training

INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

  I graduated in May of 2019 from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Sociology. I was

commissioned out of the University of Minnesota ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant. 

I have experience in military operations, law enforcement, and Defense CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Response Force (DCRF) operations. I have provided logistical support, training development, planning

methodology, and organizational management for organizations throughout the duration of my time on

Active Duty. 

I currently serve in the Minnesota National Guard Division Protection Cell Staff Officer with the 34th Infantry Division and hold a 

Secret Security Clearance.

INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

With decades of experience in all aspects of physical security, operational planning, risk assessment and mitigation, and intelligence analysis, I have the tools and experience to train and lead teams engaged in all nature of tactical operations.

Anoka Co.  Sheriff’s Office 2011-2023

· Detention Deputy

· Court Security Officer

· Field Training Officer

· Use of Force Instructor

· Public Safety Search and Recovery Diver

MN Army National Guard 1989-2014

·  Operations Sergeant Major

·  Combat Advisor

·  Intelligence Sergeant

·  Fire Support Operations Sergeant

·  Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, & Afghanistan

MN Dept. of Corrections 1994-2004

· Corrections Officer

· Special Operations Response Team member

· Security Squad Officer

United States Marine Corps 1983-1989

· Tactical Aircraft Navigation Systems Technician

Certifications

· Bachelor of Professional Studies, Business and Management, Excelsior University

· U.S. Army Sergeant’s Major Academy

· U.S. Army Battle Staff Course

· DOD Joint Combat Advisor’s Course

· DOD Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection Advisor’s Course

· DOJ certified De-escalation tactics Instructor

DAN CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor

AXON Certified TASER Instructor

MN Sheriff’s Assn. Use of Force Instructor

ERDI Public Safety Dive Instructor

 INDEPENDANT

INSTRUCTOR

Experience

· Military Police Active Duty US ARMY 2008-2013 Tour to Iraq 2009-2010

· Over 3-years Law Enforcement Experience

· Over 10-Years Private Security Industry

· Over 7-Years Executive Protection 

Experience

· 2.5 Years Owner and CEO of JomsVikings Protection and Security LLC

· Manager / Agent-in-Charge of more than 20,000 hours of Close Protection for JomsVikings Security.

· Performed over 100 Executive Protection Details, both domestic and international.

Certifications

· Executive Protection Certified – Lasorsa & Associates

· Protective Security Detail/Designated Defensive Marksman - Executive Security International

· Executive Protection Certified – Chuck Simpson Protect Consultant Inc.

· Executive Protection Certified - Core Security Consulting

· EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)

· Minnesota Law Enforcement Skills

· MariTime Security - Trident Security One

· TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care)

· Threat/Risk Assessment Course

· Pistol Instructor - NRA (National Rifle Association)

 INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

Jordan has been with Rum River Tactical since 2023 as a Permit to Carry Instructor.

He has worked several years in the Private Security industry and is currently working in Law Enforcement. In his current position Jordan is a Field Training Officer, Use of Force Instructor teaching hand-to-hand defensive and control tactics and is one of two team leaders of Sheriff’s Office Special Response team.

Jordan is also an A.L.I.C.E. certified instructor where he teaches active shooter response to civilians in different government agencies, schools, and businesses.

Jordans hobbies include Hunting, Shooting, Riding his motorcycle in the summer months and spending time with family.

 INDEPENDANT INSTRUCTOR

Sean is an Executive Protective Agent and his background includes over 9 years of professional experience focused on behavior management, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. 

He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University holding a B.A. in Philosophy and is P.O.S.T. license eligible. (Peace Officer Standards and Training).

Certifications include:

Emergency Medical  Responder

Executive Protection and Emergency Vehicle Operations