Dan Butler, Ph.D.
CEO/Lead Instructor
Paladin Tactical U.S.
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, 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, BSIS, 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
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.
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.
Louie Tirona
Practical Shooting Academy 2
Louie worked for the Richmond Police Department for almost 30 years. In that time, he was fortunate enough to have worked in multiple assignments but primarily worked in operations (patrol and investigations). Louie was a member (and team leader) of the department’s High Risk Entry Team and was part of the team at a time when the operational tempo was at its highest. He became a firearms instructor early in his career and was chosen to be the department’s Primary Firearms and Tactics Instructor for the majority of his career. Louie has extensive experience in operations and investigations, specifically in violent crimes. Multiple promotional opportunities afforded him experience in the full spectrum of running a law enforcement organization. He left a lasting legacy at his department for instilling a culture of training and excellence.
Louie is a POST-approved firearms instructor and has successfully completed training in the use of the pistol, carbine and shotgun. Additionally, he has been qualified as an expert witness in California Superior Court and Federal Court. During his law enforcement career, Louie has trained with some of the top trainers in the firearms community to include: Ron Avery (Practical Shooting Academy and Tactical Performance Center), JJ Racaza, Rob Leatham, Mike Seeklander, Frank Proctor, Robert Vogel, Mike Pannone (CTT Solutions) and others.
Louie has been an assistant instructor for Ron Avery at the Practical Shooting Academy and is a lead instructor for the Tactical Performance Center. Louie is an active competitive shooter and holds Master rankings in IDPA and USPSA/Steel Challenge.
Theo Trinh
Tactical Wizard, LLC
Theo Trinh is a DOJ-certified firearms instructor, Chief Range Officer, and Range Master known for his direct, purpose-driven approach to firearms training. He is the founder of Tactical Wizard, a training company built around the motto “be a wizard with a gun” — a philosophy of being highly efficient with any firearm. Drawing on both performance shooting and tactical defense concepts, Theo focuses on teaching techniques that build clarity, control, and confidence under stress. His training philosophy is grounded in learning to shoot with purpose. With experience in both practical shooting and tactical defense training, Theo bridges the gap between sport and real-world application. He incorporates the speed, precision, and discipline honed from practical shooting with self defense tactics used in law enforcement and personal defense. This combined expertise ensures students learn what actually works in defensive situations — techniques proven on the range and in realistic scenarios. Whether training an experienced or first-time shooter, he tailors his coaching to fit the individual. This adaptive approach ensures that every student gains practical, relevant skills and the confidence to be “wizard-like” with their firearm in any situation.
