Our instructor cadre brings a depth of real-world experience and professional training. With backgrounds spanning military service, special operations, law enforcement, and specialized tactical units, our team has operated in demanding, high-pressure environments where performance and decision-making are critical. Our instructors have trained and led teams in real-world operations worldwide while maintaining proven performance in competitive shooting environments. This combination of operational experience, instructional expertise, and continued development ensures training rooted in practical application, safety, and performance under stress—giving students the skills and confidence to effectively run a rifle in both training and real-world scenarios.

Meet the cadre

Marc Pezzella Founder

Marc Pezzella is the founder of Advanced Defensive Concepts and a retired SWAT Team Operator and Commander with over 21 years of tactical experience and more than 25 years of service in law enforcement. Throughout his career, he led and supervised high-risk critical operations, developing extensive expertise in mission planning, critical incident management, and tactical leadership.

Marc has operated alongside federal agencies including the United States Secret Service, providing dignitary protection for U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and foreign diplomats. He also served with U.S. Customs as a Blue Lightning Strike Force Agent and held the role of Platoon Leader for a joint mobile field force during the Republican National Convention. In addition, he contributed to international training efforts through the U.S. Department of State Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.

His operational background spans a wide range of high-threat environments, including hostage rescue, close quarters battle (CQB), explosive breaching, vehicle and tubular assaults involving aircraft and buses, helicopter insertion and extraction, and maritime operations. He has extensive experience in dignitary protection, armored vehicle tactics, counterterrorism, urban sniper operations, and sniper team leadership, as well as active shooter response, search and arrest warrant execution, and intelligence-driven investigations. His expertise also includes Incident Command System (ICS) operations, mobile field force deployments, and Israeli instinctive shooting methods.

Marc is a certified firearms and defensive tactics instructor with a deep background in training SWAT teams, law enforcement personnel, and academy recruits at both the state and institutional level. His instructional roles include serving as a State and NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Certified Range Safety Officer (RSO), SWAT Team Trainer, SCTI Criminal Justice Academy Instructor, and a curriculum instructor for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He is also a certified Rappel Master.

Throughout his career, Marc has received numerous commendations, including the Combat Cross for his actions during a critical incident involving an officer-involved shooting.

Marc brings a lifetime of operational experience into every course he teaches. His training philosophy is rooted in discipline, accountability, and real-world application—focused on preparing individuals to perform effectively in high-stress, real-world environments.

Mike Buehler Instructor

Mike Buehler is a Deputy Sheriff with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, serving since 2015, with extensive experience in SWAT operations, investigations, and intelligence. He currently serves as a SWAT Sniper, Assistant Team Leader, and lead instructor for both firearms and night vision programs.

Mike has been assigned to SWAT since 2017, where he has held key roles including Sniper, Team Trainer/Coordinator, and Cadre Lead Instructor. He is also a Florida SWAT Association Basic SWAT School Instructor and an FDLE Certified Firearms Instructor, with additional certifications in red dot pistol and night vision instructor certifications.

His training includes advanced sniper programs, hostage rescue, tactical surveillance, and threat analysis, along with FEMA certifications in bomb threat response and CBRNE operations. He actively competes in USPSA, maintaining a high level of performance in speed, accuracy, and decision-making under stress.

Mike specializes in firearms instruction, night vision operations, tactical leadership, and sniper operations, bringing a performance-driven and real-world approach to training in high-threat environments.

Nolan champion Instructor

Nolan Champion is leaving on a 18X contract into U.S. Army, pursuing a path into Special Forces. He brings over four years of instructional experience with Advanced Defensive Concepts, where he has assisted in training law enforcement officers, SWAT teams, and civilians seeking to increase their probability of success during critical incidents.

His instructional background includes rifle and pistol mechanics, force-on-force training, and close quarters battle (CQB), with a strong emphasis on performance under stress.

Nolan has completed extensive professional training across multiple disciplines. With a foundation built on both instruction and continuous professional development, Nolan focuses on delivering practical, performance-driven training.

Dan Levanti Instructor

Dan Levanti is a Sergeant with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, serving since 2013, with experience across Patrol, SWAT, Criminal Investigations, and the Intelligence Unit. He currently serves as a SWAT Team Leader and Sniper Team Lead, with additional responsibility as a Deputy Involved Shooting Team Sergeant.

Dan has extensive tactical training, including advanced sniper, hostage rescue, and night vision instruction, and is a certified firearms and general instructor. He has also worked with the United States Secret Service Tampa Bay Cyber Fraud Task Force, bringing a broad operational and investigative background.

He has been recognized for his performance in both operational and competitive environments, earning SWAT Member of the Year (2023) and top finishes at Florida SWAT Association competitions, including a 1st place individual finish at the 2025 Spring Shootout.

Nate Adams Instructor

Nate Adams is a former Army Ranger with 4 years of service in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, where he served on an Assault Force element conducting high-risk direct action operations. He deployed to Afghanistan in support of combat operations, gaining real-world experience in dynamic and high-threat environments.

He is a graduate of the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) and Airborne School. His background is further strengthened by advanced human performance training, emphasizing physical readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness.

Nate’s qualifications include the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge, and the JSAM Medal with “C” Device.

Rich Boyd Instructor

Rich Boyd is a Deputy Sheriff with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and currently serves as a SWAT Operator and Sniper. He previously played professional hockey with the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning).

He has completed advanced sniper and firearms training, including Ridgeline Defense Academy’s Basic Sniper School, and continues to train across pistol, patrol rifle, and precision rifle platforms.

Rich has proven himself in competitive tactical environments, earning 1st Place Individual Top Shot at the Florida SWAT Association Spring Shootout Sniper Competition, along with multiple top team finishes at regional and international SWAT competitions.

Jeffery Shand Instructor

Jeffery Shand is a Patrol Deputy with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, currently serving since 2021, where he responds to a wide range of critical incidents. He is an active SWAT Deputy with specialized training in Tactical Medicine and currently serves as a SWAT Sniper.

Prior to his law enforcement career, Jeffery worked in emergency medical services and critical care, including as a Multi-Skilled Technician/EMT in a hospital critical care unit and as a Fire Medic with North Port Fire Rescue. His background includes extensive experience in patient care, emergency response, and interagency coordination in high-pressure environments.

He holds multiple advanced certifications in tactical medicine, CQB, and precision shooting, including training from Gamut Resolutions, Ridgeline Defense, and the Florida SWAT Association. He is also a State of Florida certified Paramedic and EMT, with credentials in TCCC and TECCC.

Meet the Team

  • Nate Adams

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Dan Levanti

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Rich Boyd

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Jeffery Shand

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Marc Pezzella

    FOUNDER

  • Mike Buehler

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Nolan Champion

    INSTRUCTOR