Sam started his shooting career in the 1970’s as a charter member of the first Rochester area IPSC club – Fingerlakes Combat Pistol Club. 

He currently holds the rating of MASTER in Defensive Shooting Management and EXPERT in IDPA’s CDP division.  He has an EXPERT rating from the US ARMY’S SMALL ARMS FIRING SCHOOL and is a graduate of Chuck Taylor’s AMERICAN SMALL ARMS ACADEMY’S Tactical Handgun, Advanced Tactical Handgun, Handgun Combat Master, Tactical Rifle and Tactical Shotgun. 

 He is certified by the STATE of NEW YORK in armed security and has worked in the security/bodyguard field since the mid 80’s. 

He holds a 4^th degree Black Belt in Chito Ryu Karate and is co-founder of the Defensive Shooting Management Academy and system of personal defense.  He is a NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION certified instructor of Home Firearm Safety, Pistol, Personal Protection, Shotgun Shell reloading, and Metallic Cartridge reloading as well as a NRA, IDPA, DSM and IPSC certified Range Safety Officer.

Member of the National Association of Firearm Instructors