George Harris, Director of Training

George Harris has spent over 30 years in the field of Adult Education with more than 16 years at the SIG SAUER Academy. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia and earned his degree in Communications from the DeVry Institute of Technology. George has focused his efforts in the arenas of small arms, small arms training and combat skill development. He has evolved from an Infantry Soldier, Small Arms Repair Technician, and Drill Instructor to become the Coach and Firing Member of the Internationally recognized United States Army Reserve Combat Marksmanship Team.

As a competitive shooter, George has the coveted distinction of being Distinguished with both the Service Pistol and the Service Rifle.

Rated as a Class "C" Coach by the National Rifle Association, George has a long list of Instructor certifications from Federal and State Agencies as well as private training organizations. He holds Armorer Certifications from the major firearms manufacturers currently producing small arms for law enforcement and the military.

George is active in a number of professional organizations which include among others.

• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
• American Society for Training and Development
• American Society for Industrial Security.
  

As Director of the SIG SAUER Academy, George is committed to the safe and successful use of firearms by Armed Professionals and Responsible Citizens alike through using the SIG Principle of Training. Simple Is Good!

Adam Painchaud joined the SIG SAUER Academy team in 2006 fresh from battle from the Global War on Terrorism. Adam has extensive military special programs and federal law enforcement experience. He has been a full-time firearms and tactics instructor for over 13 years and holds numerous federal, military, and corporate instructor certifications. Adam has also completed many counterintelligence, protective service operations, and counter narcotics missions all over the world as a team leader on a Department of Defense antiterrorism team.

Additionally Adam is also Army Ranger, Airborne, and

Military SCUBA qualified. Currently Adam is a member of the Air Force Reserves as a firearms and tactics instructor.

Adam was the firearms and tactics program manager for a major federal intelligence/criminal investigative agency for 4 years. There he developed and taught courses for specialized units to safely conduct protective service and counterintelligence operations in high risk environments throughout the world. As the agency firearms and tactics program manager he was responsible for anything and everything to do with firearms, use of force, and tactics for over two thousand federal agents.

Adam holds degrees in criminal justice and professional education. He is a master instructor/trainer and has spent countless hours providing instruction to various military special operations and federal law enforcement organizations. He is considered to be among the top instructors in the world for small unit tactics and advanced firearms skills.

Adam is an active member of professional organizations such as:

• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI)

• International Law Enforcement Training Agency (ILETA)

• American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS)

• National Rifle Association (NRA)

Rance Deware, Senior Instructor

Rance Deware has over 20 years of experience as an Educator and Instructor. Prior to working for the SIG SAUER Academy, Rance was a municipal police officer in New Hampshire and is now a retired Patrol Sergeant.

Rance holds a M.S. in Business Education from Southern New Hampshire University, a B.S. in Management from Franklin Pierce College and a A.S. in Criminal Justice from Hesser College.

He also has a long list of Instructor certifications from federal and state agencies as well as private training organizations. Rance holds Armorer Certifications from many of the major firearms manufacturers currently producing small arms for law enforcement and the military.

Rance specializes in small arms training and combat skill development. He is internationally recognized as a Use of Force Instructor, teaching firearms, aerosol spray, impact weapons, instructor development, course design, and interactive use of force courses.  In addition, he has also been active with the development and teaching of future criminal justice professionals at local schools such as Hesser and McIntosh Colleges.

Rance is internationally recognized as a Use of Force Instructor, teaching firearms, aerosol spray, impact weapons, instructor development, course design, and interactive use of force courses.

Rance is an active member of many organizations including:

• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI)

• American Society of Law Enforcement Training (ASLET)

• International Association of Law Enforcement Trainers and Educators

• National Rifle Association (NRA)

Michael Navab, Director of Training in Europe

Michael Navab has over twenty years of military experience serving as a Firearms Instructor and Tactical Trainer. Michael's experience includes, Director of Training at Swiss Arms (former SIG - Switzerland) and multiple assignments for Special Forces and Special Police Sections, Training Consultant for Military and Law Enforcement (CT Ops, Close Protection). He is a decorated military veteran who retired as a Sergeant Major, from the French military serving in combat operations overseas in Africa, Middle East, Central and South America.

Michael's specialty training includes: Jungle Warfare, Counter Terrorism Operations, Strategic Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare, Foreign Internal Defense, Close Protection, Combat Search & Rescue, Special Maritime Operations, HAHO / HALO, Body guarding VIPs in hot zones, Reconnaissance and Sabotage.

Michael is a subject matter expert on the 550 Series Rifles and the SIG SAUER® line of pistols. His elite combat experience and training make him a sought after instructor around the world. Michael has been a leading consultant to many Military and Law Enforcement training units in Europe and other foreign countries. He also has many years of foundational and advanced firearms training, not only with the rifle, but with the pistol, shotgun, and many other combat small arms.

Michael is also a proud member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI).