Speakers

Chuck Habermehl

Tactician, Author, Ret. Deputy Chief, US. Marine Vietnam Veteran
View Full Bio

Chuck Habermehl

Habermehl is a decorated Vietnam Veteran who served his country as a U.S. Marine from 1971 to 1975. Sgt. Habermehl served with the ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) assigned to an Army Advisory Team. In addition to his duties as a field radio operator in the Mekong Delta, Habermehl held positions of rifle range instructor, tactics and fitness instructor and managed a Marine Corps gym facility.

He was meritoriously promoted 3 times, recipient of the Marine of the Quarter January - March 1973, and runner-up for the Marine of the Year award the same year.

Chuck Habermehl is the founder of CQB-Close Quarters Battle, LLC., and former Direct Action Defensive Systems est. 1991, with a law enforcement career spanning 38 years. Habermehl achieved the rank of Deputy Chief of an active urban jurisdiction in Miami-Dade County, managing all police operations including Narcotics, K-9, Patrol, SWAT, Aviation, Investigations and Training. As a SWAT commander, he was involved in the successful resolution of hundreds of high-risk situations, and as a tactical training instructor in close quarters combat, Habermehl trained thousands of military and law enforcement personnel worldwide, including many top-tier elements; and with core disciplines in hostage rescue, hand-to-hand combat, entry tactics and protective services. Habermehl is internationally recognized and has been awarded by many in the industry for being one of the best in CQB instruction.

Noteworthy highlights during Habermehl’s position as Director of Training at Volusia County Sheriff’s Office from 2001 until his second retirement in 2016, was raising safety standards and the training frequency for the department, and designing the first real terrain range for realistic outdoor stress-shoot training, which became known as one of the best places to train for local, state and federal departments. This unique method of combat range training was further developed by Habermehl for Action Target, a world leader in live-fire ballistic steel target systems and shoothouse buildings. He has been instrumental in the development of shoothouse design and live-fire safety policies and procedures for many organizations and international projects, including training and consulting for the largest live-fire shoothouse complex in the middle east before retiring.

Chuck Habermehl has decades of experience in various fighting systems including Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Tang Soo Do, Judo, Wrestling, Chin-Na and others. He transformed DT training programs for many orgs and agencies during his career, and spent ten years as a police academy senior defensive tactics instructor at the Southeast Florida Institute of Criminal Justice in Dade County, Florida. Habermehl is a graduate of the University of Miami.

Stacy Ettel

Critical Incident Trainer for the Florida Baptist Convention/VP of Fiore Industries
View Full Bio

Stacy Ettel

Stacy is a highly motivating and energetic leader as well as a dynamic presenter. He is utilized all over the country to educate and entertain organizations and personnel at conferences and in classrooms. Stacy is highly skilled in Law Enforcement, Leadership, Training, Church Security, Public Speaking, Motivation, Logistics, and Event Planning. His ability to impact and motivate people within your organization is outstanding.

Stacy is currently the Vice President of Protective Services for Fiore Industries, a worldwide government and commercial contracting company, is in his 30th year of active law enforcement at the Sheriff Office in St Johns County Florida, and is a logistics and security expert for many high-profile athletes and celebrities.

He is the primary critical incident trainer for the Florida Baptist Convention and has been an advocate for the development of congregation education related to this highly sensitive topic.

Tommy Sapp

Owner of Protect His House & TS Enterprises
View Full Bio

Tommy Sapp

Tommy Sapp is the owner of Protect His House Training. Tommy is passionate about self-defense training. In addition to Protect His House, Tommy is also the owner of TS Enterprises, which manages the largest self-defense training companies in the United States. As a former law enforcement officer, Tommy has spent a large portion of his career as a SWAT operator and SWAT Commander. Tommy has trained thousands of law enforcement officers, police cadets, church security team members, and everyday people on how to better protect themselves. Tommy is an active shooter instructor who has dedicated his life to making our churches safer. Tommy is the author of “Handgun Fundamentals for the New Shooter”, which has over 500k copies sold.

Tommy has held the following positions during his Law Enforcement career:
-Patrol Sergeant
-SWAT Commander
-Sergeant over a multi-jurisdictional narcotics team
-School Resource Deputy
-Detective

Tommy is certified to teach the following topics:
-Firearms, defensive tactics, active shooter, patrol rifle, high-risk entry, hostage rescue, live-fire shoothouse, close quarter pistol

Tommy’s companies currently employ nearly 500 firearms instructors across the country.

Donald Christman

Retired Lieutenant/Active Shooter Instructor
View Full Bio

Donald Christman

Don Christman is a thirty-year law enforcement professional who retired from the Ft. Pierce Police Department at the rank of Lieutenant. He currently works as a training specialist for the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and has been an adjunct professor for Indian River State College for 27 years. During his service, Don Christman has received numerous commendations, such as The Medal of Valor, Combat Cross, numerous lifesaving awards and the John H. Cover Non-Lethal Heroism Award. He is considered an expert in Use of Force and has testified numerous times in Officer involved shooting cases.

Don Christman is an instructor and considered a subject matter expert in the field of active lethal threat training, for both law enforcement and civilian personnel. He is part of a pilot program instructing future educators’ in response to active lethal threat response. This program has received national recognition from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas committee and the Governor’s Office of the State of Florida. During his service in law enforcement, Don Christman served as a SWAT Operator, Team Leader and Commander. He has logged over 250 high-risk operations, including hostage rescue, high-risk warrant service, barricaded armed subjects and multiple active lethal threat incidents. He was a part of the post “Pulse Night Club” investigation and was involved in the apprehension of an active shooter at Indian River State College. Don Christman is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and has trained multiple World Champions, local, state and federal law enforcement and every branch of the US Armed Services.

Don Christman has been married to his wife Phyllis Christman for 27 years and has two sons, Blake a Navy Veteran and current firefighter for the St. Lucie County Fire District and Donald a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army, stationed in Ft. Bragg North Carolina.

Philip Law

Law Enforcement Officer and lead instructor for Protect His House
View Full Bio

Philip Law

Philip is still active in a 30 year law-enforcement career. He is currently an Assistant Bureau Chief in the training division for one of the largest agencies in the country. Philip has worked in corrections, patrol, K9, Drug Unit, Tactical Team, and training unit. He spent several years in the Middle East working as a security contractor with the US State Department and Department of Defense. Philip also travels around the country teaching Active Shooter Response for Protect His House. He is considered a subject matter expert in firearms training by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and regularly competes as a competitive shooter.

Travis Watkins

Law Enforcement/Active Shooter Instructor & Pastor
View Full Bio

Travis Watkins

Travis loves the Lord and enjoys training and equipping others to protect themselves and protect what God has placed in their care to steward. He is specifically passionate about training churches to respond to active threats. Travis is a TN Post certified police officer and has spent the last 7 years with a middle Tennessee agency in an array of capacities from Patrol, Field Training, Crisis Negotiations, and Investigations. Travis is currently serving as a Reserve Police Officer and one of the agency’s Crisis / Hostage Negotiators. Travis is a pastor at Generation Changers Church serving as the Lebanon Campus Pastor also overseeing Safety and Security for their locations.

Jack Wilson

Stopped the mass shooting at White Settlement Church in Texas
View Full Bio

Jack Wilson

Jack Wilson is a seasoned veteran who has been married for 54 years, has 3 daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He understands the importance of being able to defend oneself, their family, faith, and flock. He is a firm believer that everyone should be prepared for any situation and therefore encourages everyone to stay vigilant at all times. His understanding and experience in this area has built him a reputation as an expert in self-defense and security.

As a decorated Texas National Guard veteran and retired Hood County Sheriff's Department reserve deputy who has served his community for over 35 years, Jack Wilson is dedicated to serving the citizens of Hood County with a commitment to excellence and public safety. He is also a small business owner since 1995, longtime federal firearms licensee, firearms instructor, and deacon in charge of church security. Most recently, he was elected Hood County Commissioner and currently serves with distinction in that position.

Jack Wilson is a man who understands the importance of being prepared. On January 13, 2020, his bravery and strength in the face of danger was recognized when he received the Texas Governor's Medal of Courage, awarded to him for his heroic actions at the West Freeway Church of Christ. However, despite this honor and acclaim, Jack does not consider himself a hero—for him it was simply about doing what he had to do to protect and save lives. A humble attitude is only part of what makes Jack an extraordinary individual. He recognizes that being prepared for any situation and carrying with confidence are vital skills that we all must possess if we are to face adversity with grace and courage.

His motto, which he desires to instill in everyone that he meets, is "Stay Ready, So YOU Don't have to Get Ready”.

Tim Tebow

Awarded Athlete, Best Selling Author, Philanthropist
View Full Bio

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick, and a former professional baseball player. The five-time New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and football analyst is most passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF), whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The Tim Tebow Foundation is currently fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves in over 70 countries and counting through 4 primary ministry focuses with 16 initiatives. Tim is married to Demi-Leigh Tebow, a speaker, influencer, entrepreneur, and Miss Universe 2017. Tim and Demi live in Jacksonville, Florida, with their three dogs, Chunk, Kobe, and Paris.

Thank you to our

Official Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors