Director of Training and Consulting- Lead Instructor

Ryan currently serves as the Director of Training and Consulting as well as the managing team leader/owner. He has a background in counter-terrorism, anti-human trafficking, and tactical training operations. He has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Homeland Security with a concentration in counter-terrorism and physical security. Prior to that he attended Campbell University studying national and international security. Ryan has done everything from developed intelligence reports and briefings all the way to counter terrorism and anti human trafficking operations and training working overseas in international military and law enforcement instruction. He spent 5 in the firearms training industry before starting ADG 6 years ago. He spent this time getting training from some of the best in the industry growing his skill set and knowledge. He also has experience in executive and event protection and has published academic papers on active shooter response, domestic terrorism, etc. He has numerous certifications from the Dept of Homeland Security, and has received briefings and training from agencies such as the FBI, DHS, FEMA, and more in a professional and academic capacity.  He is also an associated training partner for Tac Med Solutions, Combat Medical, and others and is a national Stop the Bleed Instructor.

Ryan also trains numerous church security teams in NC and Va and loves helping teams secure houses of worship as a dedicated Christ follower! 

Ryan still currently serves on an international team specializing in human trafficking rescues and extraction operations.

Ryan currently teaches most classes at Apex and has trained students ranging from US Green Berets, SWAT, brand new shooters, and everyone in between.

He also leads a men's Bible study for ADG Alumni!

Lead Instructor- Asst. Director of Training

Rod is a Christian, a husband of 36+ years, a father of 2 and a veteran.

He has a passion for learning and training!

He served for 10+ years both active duty and reserve, earning the rank of SSG.

He has attended multiple leadership courses as well as 18^th Airborne Corps Recondo, Jungle Operations Training Center, Drill Sergeant School and was an honor graduate from Ranger class 11-87.

Served in the 82^nd Airborne Div, , 2^nd Infantry Division with 2 rotations on the DMZ, and the 108^th Div (TNG). 

He is currently self-employed providing technical textile fabrics to US brands and as the Sgt Maj in the G-base for US Special Forces training (Robin Sage).

You can find Rod helping with a variety of topics and will be the new military training point of contact!

Instructor - OPFOR Team Leader/ LEO training

Christian Gilbert has spent eight years in in Law Enforcement, ranging from
corrections, patrol division, animal control and is serving on the department SWAT team. Gilbert is a Law Enforcement General Instructor, as well as a specialized Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor and Officer Survival Instructor. He has focused the majority of his training to rural and urban Active Shooter response, as well as close quarter battle tactics, squad tactics, officer medical response, hand to hand, and rural and urban recon. Besides basic Law Enforcement Certification, Gilbert holds extensive certifications in SWAT, Exterior Response To Active Shooter Events, Emergency Vehicle Operations for Law Enforcement, Interdiction for the Protection of Children, and Emergency Medical Responder.

Christian is also our new law enforcement training point of contact.



Instructor- CCW and Long Range

Shawn Robinson is currently a certified NRA Pistol Instructor and leads our NC Concealed Carry Handgun class. In a previous career, he was a Sergeant in the Army 29 th Infantry Division, where he filled the role of battalion scout/sniper as a member of the reconnaissance platoon. Shawn attended both the Ranger Sniper and 29th Division Sniper schools. He placed first in the Division in the 100yd standing category and received the Division Coin for sniper operations. It was during this time in the Army that Shawn learned and instructed land navigation, sniper deployment, camouflage, rifle marksmanship and physical fitness. He has been involved with firearms for over 35 years. Mr. Robinson currently lead instructs NC Concealed Carry and land navigation. He assists with long range rifle, camo and recon, handgun and rifle courses, and ShootFit as the original Apex "bruiser." His focus is on firearms safety, accuracy fundamentals, and instructing women in firearms. Shawn excels at teaching new students and is always a positive and patient coach.

Instructor- Opfor

Steven "Bush" Johnson is a staple here at ADG. He is our longest tenured employee and has over 10 years of experience in the training industry with us and other companies. He has worked in an Opfor and instructor capacity role, playing the enemy (Opfor) for private contractors, military, law enforcement, and civilians alike. He has multiple certifications and years of teaching in firearms, as well as tactical medicine, self-defense techniques, and squad tactics and maneuvers. Getting his start in military simulations and role playing Opfor over a decade ago, he is now the principle opponent and Opfor specialist for ADG Force on Force classes.

Bush also has experience in physical security and event protection, de-escalating situations and handling asset protection.

You can find Bush in most force on force classes as well as on the range as an assistant instructor in many other classes.

Instructor- Blades and Church Security

Greg comes with years of real world knowledge and expertise. He is a 4th Degree Black Belt Master Level Martial Artist in Akda Ryu Kyokoshin. Greg has been trained by, and worked with, some of the best in the martial arts world including: Tim Freeman and Vietnam hand to hand and bladed weapons Green Beret Instructor, Bob DeVinney. Greg has been teaching martial arts and bladed weapons since 1988, training countless civilians, military, and law enforcement. Starting in 1997 Greg primarily trained law enforcement agencies in specialized unarmed combat and officer survival, which he did for many years. Greg has since scaled back his teaching and agreed to come back into the training world for Apex and we are lucky to have him.

Greg is also an accomplished USPSA shooter, and has over a decade of real world experience in physical security and executive protection working in bars and clubs as well as protecting well-known artists and at-risk families. Lastly, Greg has formed and trains church security teams giving him a well rounded professional and personal history which we are fortunate enough to have him share with our students.

In his free time you can find Greg in the gym- as he is an AAU State and World Record Holder, IBP Power lifting State and National Record Holder, Top 1% and World Elite Lifter 5 times, Winner of the 242 AAU World Championship in 2005, and a Power lifting Hall of Fame Inductee.

Greg primarily teaches self-defense and bladed weapons for us, and assists with many other classes such as situational awareness, church security, and more!

Tim Spent 8 years in the Army as a medic before getting out and going into law enforcement. He has spent the last 6 years a deputy sheriff in his county and was previously an Emergency Response Team Instructor with his department. Tim then moved to his agency SWAT team filling the role of medic while out keeping his county safe. Since then, Tim has left that department and is growing his career on patrol in a neighboring county.

Tim currently helps teach tactical medicine, situational awareness, church security, and self-defense with us!

Instructor- Cyber and Intelligence

Toby Groce is a seasoned security professional with over 25 years in Information Technology, Information Security, and Project Management, complemented by extensive physical security and firearms training  expertise. As the owner of Mining Ridge Armory and an instructor for Apex Defense Group, he emphasizes real-world and tactical applications of responsible firearm handling, fostering safety and competence among shooters of all experience levels.

 In his IT roles, Toby has led large teams, managed multi-million-dollar projects, and developed critical security solutions for thousands of users. He holds an AAS in Information Technology and certifications including CISSP, CompTIA GFL(A+Network+, Security+, Project+), HDI (SCA, DST, SCM), ITIL, PRINCE2, and PMI ACP, demonstrating his commitment to cybersecurity and process excellence.

Toby’s physical security qualifications include NRA Training Counselor (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection In The Home, Personal Protection Outside The Home), NC DOJ Concealed Carry Handgun Instructor, Chief Range Safety Officer, SAFE Certified Instructor, and Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor. His extensive training encompasses advanced tactics in CQB, executive protection, sniper operations, reconnaissance, surveillance/counter-surveillance, combative firearm tactics, escape and evasion, and squad/team tactics, enabling him to provide comprehensive instruction in high-stakes security scenarios.

Toby’s unique blend of IT and physical security experience, combined with his passion for training, makes him a trusted resource for robust security solutions and tactical instruction.

Assistant Instructor- Beginner Pistol

Derek is a lifelong shooter and NRA Pistol Instructor. He attended the first Apex Defense civilian-only class which began his formal education in firearms training. He has since amassed well over a thousand hours of training time with Apex Defense Group as a student. He has a passion for teaching people the basics of safe gun handling and shooting. He believes strongly in repetition and practicing good habits. After teaching many people to shoot over the years he became a North Carolina Concealed Carry Handgun Instructor. He really enjoys bringing in new and old shooters into the fold and trying to dispel common misconceptions about carrying a concealed firearm. 

Derek has wonderful patience and is easy to talk to and learn from.

You can find Derek on the range getting in practice reps or teaching Beginner Pistol Drills with us!

Britt is the Owner of Fetching Willow Design Co. She is a multi-talented individual with a passion for creativity and a heart for service. Alongside running her own business, she dedicates her time and energy to supporting her community and helping ordinary people find extraordinary life with Jesus.

With years of experience in production and design, she is the one that does all of the work for The Pale Horse Podcast that we produce here with the ADG Staff. Her attention to detail, keen eye for design, and ability to help bring our vision to life, have earned her a reputation as a skilled and reliable asset to our team.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Britt is also a CCW holder, committed to protecting herself and others. She is a great asset to helping women how to be more comfortable and confident in their carry!

Assistant Instructor- BJJ/Opfor

Spencer has been training with ADG since early 2020, and currently works with us teaching ground fighting and as one of the OpFor team members and assistant instructors. He specializes in unarmed hand to hand combat, holding the rank Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after almost a decade in the sport. When not assisting with ADG classes, he co-owns Boone Docks MMA in Boone, NC where he trains civilians and law enforcement in the sport and ground survival techniques. Spencer can usually be found in hard angles with a tomahawk in his hand playing the opposition in CQB classes or strangling students with a gleam in his eyes.