Our Instructors
Pacific West Academy’s Certified Training Instructors
Pacific West Academy’s training instructors incorporate years of military and executive protection experience into the course curriculum.
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Oded Krashinsky
Owner and CEO
Mr. Krashinsky is a veteran lieutenant of one of the world’s most respected secret service special operations units. Having served with top-secret security clearance, he is specially trained in anti-terrorist tactics, multiple firearms and electronic counter-surveillance, threat analyses, risk assessments, emergency preparedness and crisis planning. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, personnel management, training and emerging technologies with strong physical security assessment and physical security planning expertise for chief executive officers and high net-worth private clients and families.
- Israeli Air Force Commando/Tier 1 Operator
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Donald Kuehner
Director of Training
Mr. Kuehner joined the ASC Team in the summer of 2012 after completing his enlistment in the U.S. Army. During his military career he served exclusively with the 82nd Airborne Division from the position of rifleman to Squad Leader. Don’s experience comes from his multiple tours in Afghanistan, completion of numerous military schools, and working from the positions of Estate Agent to Executive Protection Agent over a 10 year career.
Mr. Kuehner trains jiu-jitsu and boxing and has experience in securing techniques, site exploitation, and forensic biometric collection which aids him in assessing the pre, during, and post security tasks necessary to create a safe and professional site. Having worked as a liaison between schools and travel companies to push soldiers through military and civilian schools as a Schools Manager in the Army, Don has the ability to bridge the gap between scheduling, training, and performing Executive Protection and security duties.
Don currently sits on the Disciplinary Review Committee for the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, is an NRA Instructor and RSO, and is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management.
- US Army - 82nd Airborne Division, NCO
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Raz Klinghoffer
Training Instructor
Raz Klinghoffer is a former Israeli Navy SEAL who dedicated six years of his life to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). He has participated in countless military operations and managed, commanded, and trained troops on both land and sea; finishing his career with the rank of Top Sergeant. Trained in many disciplines, Mr. Klinghoffer served as a first-aid lead and completed extensive training as a field medic. Afterward, Mr. Klinghoffer began his career in protection and security, acting as a team member of special security forces that secured gas platforms 15 miles from Israel’s shoreline.
Mr. Klinghoffer moved to the United States shortly upon his completion of duties off the Mediterranean coast and graduated from PWA's Comprehensive Security Training Course. Upon completion, he was hired by ASC as an executive protection agent working with and around A-list celebrities directly in the field. His training and expertise has led him to become an Instructor for PWA with his main area of expertise displayed as a teacher on the firing range.
- Close Protection Specialist
- Israeli Navy SEAL
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Brig Barker
Training Instructor
Brig Barker was a career FBI Agent (Counterterrorism) that lived overseas for five years and has worked extensively in the Middle East and Africa over a span of 30 years. An Arabic speaker (MSA) with extensive management experience having led two interagency counterterrorism task forces. Further hand selected as the FBI Senior Advisor embedded with U.S. Special Operations Command for two year. Former FBI SWAT operator and sniper. A former Army officer (Captain) having served in the 82nd Airborne as a platoon leader, weapons executive officer, and acting company commander both in garrison and combat environments.
- Retired FBI Agent
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Bob Dougherty
Training Instructor
Bob worked for 25 years as an undercover Operations Officer for the CIA. He has deep operational experience in the U.S., Europe, Central America, South America and the Middle East. Bob has successfully worked against foreign terrorist groups such as The Islamic State, Al-Qaida, Hezbollah, Sendero Luminoso and the Palestine Liberation Organization. In addition, Bob has extensive experience in working against Iranian state sponsored terrorism, and government of Iran intelligence and procurement operations worldwide.
Bob has served as a subject matter expert instructor on terrorism and countering terrorist cells inside the U.S. and overseas for a variety of classes attended by law enforcement, U.S. government federal officers, U.S. military personnel, and civilian specialist first-responders. Bob is a senior instructor on HUMINT and Counter-Terrorism for U.S. military special operations elements including Naval Special Warfare units.
Bob is also an adjunct professor at the California Specialized Training Institute – the State of California POST training entity for law enforcement personnel. Bob has personally developed, managed and carried out multiple high-profile operations during his career that lead to the capture of several high-profile terrorists, and the effective dismantling of terrorist networks.
- Retired CIA Agent
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Jacob Lupton
Lead Training Instructor
Mr. Lupton joined Pacific West Academy to pursue his vision for a premium security training organization that would meet the growing demand for a higher level of protective services. Mr. Lupton is a veteran Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps.
Mr. Lupton served with BLT 2/1 Fox Co. (Amphibious Raid Company) and was assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) Trailer Platoon. Mr. Lupton deployed with the 13th, 11th, and 15th MEU SOC (Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable), to include the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Mr. Lupton was later assigned to WFTBN (Weapons and Field Training Battalion) R505 as a Field Instructor and Range Safety Officer.
He has proven himself as an effective leader with the ability to elicit interest and enthusiasm using a common-sense approach. His degree of attention to the protection of client assets and unique solutions always meet or exceed our clients’ highest goals and expectations.
- Close Protection Agent
- US Marines - 1st Marine Division, NCO
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Benji Rosenfeld
Lead Combative and Training Instructor
Benjamin Rosenfeld became a member of the Advanced Security Concepts team in 2010. Throughout Ben's time with ASC he has worked in Estate Security, Executive Protection, and as a Personal Bodyguard. Ben's career as a protection agent has covered multiple disciplines, including the Director of Security for Infusion Lounge, Universal Studios and Security Host for numerous Hollywood nightclubs. His true passion being martial arts, Ben has devoted countless hours to training and teaching Krav Maga, boxing, muay thai, freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and submission wrestling. Ben's career and knowledge allows him to understand and teach manipulation of the human body in relation to martial arts and shooting tactics necessary for proper training of Executive Protection Agents. Now a Pacific West Academy Instructor, he aims to train and produce Executive Protection Agents of the highest caliber, ready to advance their careers in the security field.
- Close Protection Specialist
- Mixed Martial Artist
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Matt Cheun
Training Instructor
Matt Cheun began his career in the United States Marine Corps in 2016. During his military service, Matt specialized in conducting overwatch operations as well as the clandestine surveillance and tracking of personnel in a wide range of environments.
Matt's military training package included land based reconnaissance, amphibious reconnaissance, small boat operations, small unit tactics, counter surveillance, demolition operations, land/ nautical navigation, urban assault training and a number of small unit tactics courses.
Upon conclusion of his service, Matt transitioned into the private sector by working contracts both within and outside of the US, conducting estate security, mobile security and counter surveillance operations. Matt thoroughly enjoys instructing firearms application courses and constantly works to excel in his craft. He has taken many courses throughout his military career as well as instructed a variety of basic and advanced courses to include carbine, pistol, low light/no light and room clearing.
Matt is currently an Executive Protection Agent for Advanced Security Concepts as well as an instructor for Pacific West Academy, where he aims to provide students with efficient and up to date instruction about the constantly evolving world of firearms manipulation and executive protection tactics, techniques and procedures.
- Close Protection Agent
- US Marines - 1st Marine Division, NCO
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Jonathan Biggs
Instructor
A ten-year navy veteran, John has had experience in both the operational and emergency side of medicine. He graduated from Corpsman specialty school in 2014 and Field medical training battalion in 2015. From there he was attached with 3rd Battalion 11th Marines in twenty-nine palms, CA where he was deployed twice to Okinawa Japan. While there he was certified in jungle survival and specialized in jungle medicine to both treat and extract wounded marines in remote locations.
After his time with the marines was over, he spent three years in Naval Hospital Jacksonville, FL. working in the ICU and gaining emergency room experience. During his time there he was one of the lead instructors for the TCCC program where he taught corpsmen emergency and field medicine techniques. Finishing up the last three years of his career at Twenty-Nine Palms with 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, he was deployed on the 31st MEU, training under the fleet surgical team attached to the ship. Once back he was an instructor for the TCCC program and Valkyrie whole blood transfusion program.
As an instructor and EP agent for Pacific West Academy and ASC Protection he continues to provide security and training to students and specialized clients he serves.
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David Paladini
Medical Training Instructor
An 18-year veteran of the United States Army and a member of the Ranger community, David has functioned as a Long Range Detachment team member and leader. As a secondary military occupational specialty (MOS), he graduated from the Health Care Technician’s course at Fort Sam Huston, Texas and was awarded the military MOS 68 W. He is a member of the Special Operations Medical Association, Ranger Association and Army Parachute Association.
Mr. Paladini is a civilian paramedic with over 15 years’ service in a Southern California-based 911 systems. David is Affiliate Faculty to the American Heart Association and holds Instructor Credentials in Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) disciplines. He currently functions as Course Coordinator for the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) course and is Affiliate Faculty, Course Coordinator and Military Instructor for NAEMT’s Tactical Casualty Combat Care course. David has also graduated from a California Peace Officers Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy and functioned as a reserve Deputy.
- US Army - Medic (68W), NCO
- Former Law Enforcement Officer
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Josuel Gooden
EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operation Course) Lead Instructor
Mr. Gooden spent over 30 years as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department, where he worked assignments that included patrol, gang enforcement, narcotics, detectives, the anti-drug education program D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education, and EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course). During his 30 plus career, Mr. Gooden sharpened his teaching and training skills and became a master instructor for the LAPD.
Mr. Gooden has conducted training around the world. As a member of the Los Angeles Police Department’s training cadre, he travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia training members of the Department of Defense, specifically the military police. He has trained thousands of police officers, and presented at conferences nationally and internationally.
One field that Mr. Gooden specializes in, is emergency vehicle operation. This specialty includes high speed pursuit driving, evasive driving maneuvers, collision avoidance, skid recognition and control, slow speed skills, reverse driving, perishable skills, defensive and offensive driving. These techniques were used daily as thousands of members of the LAPD benefited from the challenging and creative courses that were developed by Mr. Gooden.
As a master instructor, Mr. Gooden focuses on the learner, and ensures that all modalities of learning are taking place. Achieving success for the learner is paramount, but that only happens when the instructor gives 100%.
- Retired Los Angeles Police Officer
- National/International Trainer
- EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operation Course) Certified
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Mark Ackenback
Firearms Instructor
Mark Ackenback is a POST Certified Firearms Instructor. After being an avid shooter for many years, Mark decided to use his expertise to help provide a high level of training to Law Enforcement Officers and responsible armed citizens.
Mark currently instructs officers from multiple law enforcement agencies in the Southern California Area. His methods are based on implementing modernized and advanced techniques which focus on performance based shooting with a defense application. Mark's goal for each Pacific West Academy student is to equip them to be a safe, efficient and confident shooter, in the event that they must use their firearm as a protection agent.
- POST Certified
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George Rodriquez
San Diego Regional Manager
Since 1992, George Rodriguez has been a Corporate Security Director for a $600M sport memorabilia corporation and for a $1B worldwide sport equipment manufacturer. At both companies, Mr. Rodriguez successfully developed security departments which worked closely with Human Resources and Legal to protect employee, executives, and inventory assets in multiple U.S. states and Mexico. In addition, Mr. Rodriguez managed multiple narcotic and theft investigations, including, covert employees, interviews and law enforcement involvement. After leaving the corporate sector, Mr. Rodriguez created, managed and sold a full-service, State of California-certified security company, serving numerous high-profile businesses and individual clients throughout Southern California.
Mr. Rodriguez is fluent in English and Spanish. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix, San Diego Campus, and a Human Resources Management Certification from Villanova University. Additionally, Mr. Rodriguez has many professional certifications that are specific to corporate security: State of California training, executive protection, investigations, interviewing and private patrol operations. Mr. Rodriguez’s professional affiliations include the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International, National Council of Investigation & Security Services, National Riffle Association, Safariland Training Group and California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms. Philanthropically, he regularly donates time and money for fallen-officer fundraising events that are affiliated with the California Highway Patrol.
- Security Company CEO
- Close Protection Agent
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Steve Burkett
Instructor
Steven is a senior instructor and training center manager at Advanced Security Concepts. He is a certified weapons instructor and Range Safety Officer. He currently holds instructor certifications with the State of California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) – Firearms; Department of Justice DOJ) – Firearms Safety/Roll Fingerprint; National Rifle Association (NRA) – Pistol, Range Safety Officer; American Heart Association (AHA) – CPR/First Aid; and Taser International – Taser X26-X2. Steven holds additional certifications and licenses with the Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) – Helicopter Pilot; Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) – Competition Race License; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Active Shooter; Glock – Armorer; To Shin Do Martial Arts – Brown/Black Belt.
Steven joined Advanced Security Concepts in 2010 and has been a member and instructor of our elite Executive Protection Team for over seven years. He has worked hundreds of protection details with some of our highest profile celebrities and executives in addition to many red-carpet awards shows and movie premieres. He has over 30 years’ experience in managing and supervising personnel teams.
- Close Protection Specialist
- NRA Instructor/Concealed Weapons Instructor