Meet the Team
The SureFire Institute team brings well over a century of combined military, law enforcement, and competitive shooting experience, and has instructed armed professionals and private citizens worldwide. We are committed to providing you with cutting-edge training techniques that integrate hard-won knowledge, groundbreaking technology, and neuroscience. The SFI staff fully understands that in a life-or-death scenario, second-best is not an option.
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Andy Stanford
SFI Training Director
James A. (Andy) Stanford is a former Department of Defense military operations analyst who has taught tactical shooting across the United States, in Europe, and in Central America full-time since 1995. Author of the books Surgical Speed Shooting and Fight at Night, he is the winner of the 1994 National Tactical Invitational and a graduate of dozens of top private-sector schools, including Gunsite, Lethal Force Institute, Thunder Ranch, Yavapai, and the Rogers Institute.
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CJ Cowan
SFI Training Coordinator
Christopher "CJ" Cowan is a lifelong shooter and hunter, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran (Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 2011), and a skilled competitive shooter (USPSA and Steel Challenge). A Rangemaster Certified Instructor and Secfor International Executive Protection Specialist, his training résumé includes courses from Gunsite (multiple Expert certificates), Thunder Ranch, Shivworks, Sentinel Concepts, Cougar Mountain Solutions, and Heiho Consulting.
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Chris Lapre
SFI Lead Low Light Instructor
Chris Lapre recently retired after a 27-year career, culminating as a Lieutenant with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department and the Commander of a multi-agency tactical team. An Arizona POST subject-matter expert and Rangemaster-certified instructor, Chris has completed myriad public and private-sector courses through Gunsite, Mid-South, Tactical Response, Shivworks, and others, plus extensive private training with Rob Leatham, Ben Stoeger, and Matt Pranka.
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Phil Alba
SFI Low Light Instructor
Phil Alba has 21 years of law enforcement experience. He spent the last 17 years with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department, serving as a Deputy, Field Training Deputy, Detective, and Recruit Training Deputy. A member of the Pinal Regional SWAT team since 2010, he served as a Sniper, Operator, Team Leader, and an instructor in various areas of operation. An ALERRT Certified Active Attack Instructor, he has trained with Pat Rogers, Ernest Langdon, Matt Pranka, and Rob Leatham.