Dan Butler, Ph.D.
Owner/Lead Instructor
Paladin Tactical US
Dan retired from federal law enforcement after 24 years of service. He is skilled in crisis management, criminal investigation, intelligence, and law enforcement training. His assignments included SWAT Senior Team Leader (tactical commander), Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator, Chairman of the Bay Area Terrorism Working Group (BATWinG) and Supervisory Special Agent. Over the last 20 years, he has provided tactical/firearms instruction to hundreds of local, federal, and international law enforcement officers. He is certified as a firearms instructor by multiple agencies including the FBI, California POST, the NRA and the California Department of Justice. Dan has a Ph.D in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California and is a nationally-registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). For more details, see his LinkedIn Profile.
Paladin Partners
Brian Jones
Pinnacle Tactical Solutions
Brian retired from the FBI in 2015 after having served 28 years as a Special Agent. Brian was a member of the FBI SWAT Team for 26 years and assigned as the FBI SWAT Senior Team Leader during his last 15 years. Brian has been a Firearms Instructor for 30 years and was also assigned as the FBI Principal Firearms Instructor. He was responsible for the firearms and tactical training and proficiency of 150 FBI Special Agents. During his tenure in the FBI, Brian planned and was responsible for hundreds of high risk tactical operations and deployed operationally in numerous high-risk foreign environments. Upon his retirement in from the FBI, Brian founded Pinnacle Tactical Solutions LLC. Pinnacle provides world class training to law enforcement agencies nation-wide at the lowest possible cost and has provided tactical training to hundreds of law enforcement officers.
Rick Winters
Tier 1 Concepts
Rick has 30 years of combined experience in hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, SWAT operations, and executive security. He is a decorated combat veteran of the US Navy, serving 14 years as a SEAL operator, instructor, and training supervisor. Rick made numerous deployments overseas working alongside other Tier-1 assets as well as training foreign special operations forces around the world. As a police officer, Rick was the senior breacher and primary tactical training instructor for the West Sacramento/Davis SWAT team. He has provided tactical instruction to dozens of law enforcement agencies throughout California and is a recognized expert in tactical breaching. Rick has also worked professionally in the private sector as a Security Supervisor with Apex Security Group. In 2017, Rick formed Tier-1 Concepts to provide elite tactical training and consulting to law enforcement and private sector professionals.
Barry Grove
Better Method Handgun Instruction
Barry retired after serving 30 years as a prosecutor for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. During his career, he has reviewed hundreds of self-defense and officer-involved shooting cases. To better understand the limits of human performance with a handgun, he completed firearms training with several local police departments and the FBI. He educated numerous California police agencies regarding use-of-force and was recognized as an expert in this area when he retired in early 2021.
Barry sought instruction from top competitive shooters and Grandmasters such as Bruce Gray, Ron Avery, Mike Seeklander, Frank Proctor and Mike Pannone. He continues to shoot competitively and seek out advanced training opportunities. He is currently the range master at the United Sportsmen Incorporated shooting range in Concord. He is an NRA-certified Basic Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer. He is also a California DOJ Certified Firearms Instructor. He owns "The Better Method Handgun Instruction, LLC." Barry is also a member of the attorney network at the USCCA.
Greg Walton
Fox Bravo Solutions
Greg has over 30 years combined experience as a federal law enforcement officer (FBI), defense contractor and combat experienced US Army officer. His FBI roles and responsibilities have included crisis response supervisor; tactical operator/team leader/team commander; police and military trainer; civilian response to active shooter trainer; and counterterrorism investigator. He has trained hundreds of law enforcement and military personnel in small unit tactics, crisis response, tactical firearms and team leadership. His goal is to share his experience in order to provide relevant real-world training and assistance to first responders, military personnel and responsible citizens. See his LinkedIn Profile.
