James Eric Dean, Founder and CEO
Eric has thousands of "man hours" teaching the moral, ethical, and lawful use of force to the U.S. Military, Law Enforcement, and civilians. He has worked with, trained under, and mentored by some of the best-informed instructors in the industry to include but not limited to Jim Higginbotham, Tom Givens and Jeff Cooper. Eric's most rewarding experience has been with Kentucky's National Guard Elite Weaponcraft section. He is proud to bring his own empirical experiences, the knowledge gained from his many hours of study, and the results of properly applied Weaponcraft techniques in the real world to you. While in the military, Eric experienced multiple combat deployments and won multiple awards in pistol and rifle marksmanship events. He was also a member of the Governor’s Twenty, which includes the 20 best marksmen within the Kentucky National Guard (Air and Army).
Eric recently retired from the Kentucky National Guard and is now a deputy with a local Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky. He is a husband and father who enjoys spending much of his time with his family.
Staci Dean, CFO and Operations Manager
Every organization needs a dedicated soul who keeps the wheels on the bus going 'round and 'round - and Staci is ours. From media relations, to keeping our go-boxes stocked, Staci keeps everything moving smoothly.
Staci began her career in the military in accounting on active duty before entering the Kentucky Army National Guard. In 1999 Staci reclassified to Military Police and later deployed to support combat operations in Iraq, then retired in 2015.
Don't let her fool you, Staci is an accomplished marksman as she completed the Kentucky Army National Guard's Weaponcraft Defensive Skills program and maintained the Army's Expert badge in both rifle and pistol, as well as, The Bulwarks' Foundations of the Self-Defense Handgun course.
Jesse Ordunez, Director of Security Operations
Jesse primarily runs our security operations side of the house and being on both ends of the rifle more than once, he comes with real world experience from situations where mistakes could not be made. He is a graduate of Gunsite Academy, and a certified shotgun instructor through Rangemaster.
Jesse has trained with and mentored by phenomenal instructors within the industry to include, but not limited to: Tom Givens, Jim Higginbotham, Jeff Cooper, Dave Spaulding, Steve Hendricks, Lee Weems, and Scott Jedlinski. Jesse is also a Certified NRA Instructor for both Pistol and Personal Protection Inside the Home and graduate of The American Institute of Marksmanship.
He is an Army combat veteran, husband and father, who enjoys hiking and photography in his spare time.
Edwin "Eddy" Garcia, Director of Training
Eddy is our unarmed guru. You will mostly find him on the mats coaching students on the ins and outs of unarmed self-defense encounters, but you will also frequently find him on the range. He recently retired from the military after working many years with Joint Support Operations of the Kentucky Counterdrug Organization. He is a combat veteran, competitive shooter, Rangemaster graduate and completed the Kentucky Army National Guard Weaponscraft program where he was also an instructor.
Along with being one of our primary instructors, he also manages our instructor training and ensures or course material always includes the most up-to-date information and data.
Eddy spends much of his time with his wife and children.
Jason Rhodes
Jason is one of our many instructors that you will likely meet on the range and frequently works on our security side of the house. He is an army combat Veteran and has been a Senior Instructor for the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Weaponcraft program. He is a Ky CCDW instructor and has trained under Tom Givens and Jim Higginbotham.
Dwight "Clint" Bushong
Clint recently retired from the Kentucky Army National Guard where he spent his career training soldiers in preparation for overseas combat deployments through the state’s Weaponscraft program, as well as, deploying to support combat operations himself. He was a member of the Kentucky Governor’s Twenty and is a current Law Enforcement Officer for a local agency in Kentucky. He is a graduate from Western Kentucky University and a Ky CCDW Instructor.
Clint has trained under folks such as Jeff Cooper and Scott Jedlinski to name a couple and is the owner and operator of American Patriot Defense, whom we are proud to have partnered with for specialty skills courses.
Barry Key
Barry is an essential asset to us as he provides the grounds and equipment we need to conduct our classes, as well as, shares his expert medical knowledge for range safety and our TAC-AID course. We LITERALLY could not function without Barry so we are so thankful for him!
When he's not on the range, you can find Barry in the gym and spending time with family. He also owns his own IT business.
Jason Spayd
Jason is another one of our many knowledgeable instructors who is a combat Veteran and was an instructor for the Kentucky Army National Guard’s Weaponcraft program. He has also completed Rangemaster’s handgun and carbine courses.
When not on the range, you will find him in his workshop as he owns and operates Js Original Leather, making fine quality leather products and spending time with his family and dogs.
Jason and his wife, April
Wes Rogers
Wes started his advanced marksmanship training in 2006 when he completed the Squad Designated Marksman Course while in the military. After a couple of combat deployments, he became a Primary Instructor for the Kentucky National Guard’s Weaponcraft program.
Wes has completed multiple Bulwarks courses and trained under Jim Higginbotham.
Jason Reed
When Jason’s TAC-AID class comes up on the calendar, you DON’T want to miss it! He aims to provide an enjoyable, informative , and professional learning environment, that prepares his students to care for themselves and their loved ones at the worst of times.
Jason is a licensed Registered Nurse and Advanced EMT who has over 15 years experience in emergency medicine. He holds certifications in Trauma Combat Casualty Care, Trauma Nurse Core Course Instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, Advanced Hazmat Life Support, Advanced Stroke Life Support, Fundamental Critical Care Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support (audited).He is also a Trauma Nurse Core Course Instructor.
When he's not flying around saving the world he's.....well....we're not sure because he is always saving the world!
Jason Reed, RN, MSN, CEN, AEMT
Craig Caudill
Craig is the guy we tap when we need GOOD info on anything "outdoorsy", and is a fantastic resource for The Bulwarks. He teaches seminars ranging from just noticing things during a walk in the woods, to tracking, to SHTF preparedness.
A published author, Craig's book "Extreme Wilderness Survival" has what every outdoorsman needs to stay safe in the woods: the right mind-set, skills, advanced tactics and gear choices based on real experiences. Having spent four decades gathering expertise in outdoor survival—including two 30-day solo sabbaticals in remote woods with only a knife - Craig has been there, done that, and got the chigger bites..
He teaches military personnel as well as everyday citizens how to avoid trouble and what to do when you can’t avoid it. Craig puts it all together in a sensible way, step by step, for almost any scenario—from getting lost alone to extreme group tactics.
Craig will teach you how to:
· Strengthen your mental fortitude
· Heighten awareness to avoid danger
· Hunt, fish and forage for food
· Make gear from scratch
· Use tactics and self-defense to fight off predators
· Track animals and other people
· Choose the right gear to help you get home safe always
Craig is currently an educator with Nature Reliance School, an outdoor education organization specializing in teaching to a wide audience.
Craug Caudill, author and educator