Meet our Instructors
Matt Schlenker
Owner & Instructor
About Matt
Matt graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University in 2013 while working as a police officer. He has over a decade of experience serving as both a law enforcement officer and EMT.
Throughout his career, Matt has worked in patrol, Special Operations, and as a School Resource Officer (SRO). During his time as an SRO, he partnered with multiple schools to enhance safety by improving active shooter protocols and training staff and administrators to better prepare for potential violent situations
Certified USCCA Instructor
Bob Stevens
Instructor
Bob recently retired after a 30-year career in law enforcement, including 24 years with a Minneapolis metro-area police department.
Throughout his career, Bob served in patrol, investigations, and as a School Resource Officer (SRO), along with several specialized units. He has held numerous training and leadership roles, including:
Range Master
Mobile Field Force instructor and member
Special Response Team (SRT) instructor and member
Defensive Tactics and Use of Force trainer
Instructor across multiple less-lethal weapon platforms
Ben Johnson
Instructor
Ben has dedicated over 26 years to serving as a law enforcement officer with a prominent metropolitan agency. His commitment to excellence is reflected in his long-standing role as a certified Use of Force and Firearms Instructor, accredited through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension since 1998.
Ben is highly experienced across a wide range of firearm platforms and holds armorer certifications for:
Glock
MP5
Remington 700 and 870
Mossberg 500
Certified USCCA Instructor
Ryan Dougherty
Instructor
Ryan brings over 22 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including 18 years as a paramedic in a high-volume 911 system. He also served for three years as a paramedic on the Anoka County SWAT Team, providing critical medical support in high-risk environments.
In 2021, Ryan graduated from the Tactical EMS School at the Camp Ripley State Training Facility, further advancing his expertise in tactical and emergency response care. His background includes extensive training in prehospital emergency medicine, basic and advanced life support, and trauma care.