INSTRUCTORS

KEITH E. CAMPBELL
SCOTT GOSS
JOHN (J.T.) KURTZ JR.
RONALD G. CAMPBELL
KEVIN M. CAMPBELL
BRIAN J. CAMPBELL

Keith E. Campbell
Owner / President / Chief Instructor

Keith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  He founded COMMENCE FIRE in 2004 with the onset of the Concealed Handgun License Law (House Bill 12) that allowed civilian personnel to obtain permits. 

Keith comes from a long line of law enforcement officers and military personnel (third generation).  He entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1988 and gained valuable experience as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Boat Operator.  During his tenure he was fortunate enough to attend numerous training courses to include Small Arms Instructor. 

In 1997 Keith was Honorably Discharged from active duty and is still a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.  At this same time Keith became an officer with the Cleveland Police Department. Keith was initially assigned to the Third District where he worked Basic Patrol and federally funded units.  During this time period he was involved in a deadly force situation necessitating the use of his firearm. 

In 2003 Keith was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Upon his promotion he was reassigned to the Fourth District.  In 2005 he was reassigned to the Justice Center where he is still currently assigned as an investigator.

He has 12 years experience as a Firearms Instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard.  He has taught thousands of people how to use their handguns, shotguns and rifles SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY.  In 2004 he received his Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Commission (OPOTC) firearms instructor certification. 

Throughout his military and police career Keith has continued to advance his knowledge of teaching firearms and he is willing to pass that knowledge and experience on to you!

Keith specializes in assisting shooters (especially beginners) with marksmanship skills and techniques.

He believes in giving the student all the knowledge and skills they need to become expert shooters.

He guarantees that your training will be thorough, practical and well above the minimum requirements!
 

Scott Goss
Instructor

Scott is one of our instructors here at COMMENCE FIRE.  He is a Small Arms Instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Scott was born in Ripley Tennessee and was raised in Bald Knob Arkansas.  He entered the U.S. Coast Guard 3 months after high school in July of 1994.  He was promoted to Gunners Mate in 1996 and attended Small Arms Instructor School in 1999. 

After 11 years active duty Scott was honorably discharged and joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.  He is presently serving with the Port Security Unit 309 at Camp Perry. 

 In the civilian world Scott is presently an Armed Guard for Dunbar and operates armored vehicles. 
 

John (J.T.) Kurtz Jr.
Instructor

J.T. is also one of our instructors here at COMMENCE FIRE.  He is an Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) certified firearms instructor. 

J.T. was born in August of 1971 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and Laura Kurtz.  John grew up in Independence and attended all parochial schools, graduating from Padua Franciscan HS in 1989, went on to join the Army from 1989 to 1992, participating in Operation Desert Shield/Storm  with Charlie Company, 27^th Engineer Battalion (COMBAT) (AIRBORNE).  From 1994 to 1999 he worked for his family's construction company (Kurtz Bros. Inc.) operating heavy equipment and learning how to operate a business.  He is currently employed by the Independence Police Department which is a suburb of Cleveland Ohio.  John was hired in May of 1999 and holds the rank of Sergeant/Field Training Officer (FTO).  John is also a member of the Independence Police Honor Guard.

J.T. is also the owner and president of Law Enforcement Officer’s Shooting Supply, LLC. COMMENCE FIRE highly recommends LEOSS for all of your firearms needs, no matter what they may be.  Don’t let the name fool you, J.T. sells to civilians also as long as what you are requesting is not law enforcement specific.  J.T.’s moto is “If we can't offer you a product at the lowest possible price, I will tell you where you can buy it cheaper!”   
 

Ronald G. Campbell
Range Safety Officer

Ron is Keith’s father.  He has many years of experience with handling firearms.

He is a second generation Law Enforcement Officer, and Military Veteran.  He is currently a Deputy Sheriff with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, since 1994, a retired Sergeant with the Cleveland Police Department, with 29 years of service, and a retired Master Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve with 41 ½ years of service.  Many of those years with the U.S. Coast Guard Ron served as a Range Coach.

His father, Donald, retired as the Chief of Police in upstate New York with 25 years of service.  His twin brother, Don, is a retired California Highway Patrolman with 36 years of service.

Ron has been an active hunter for more than 50 years, enjoying the time with family members who share his love of outdoors.
 

Kevin M. Campbell
Range Safety Officer

Kevin is Keith’s older brother and is affectionately known as “Tackleberry” due to his many years of experience with handling all types of firearms.  He is an avid hunter with compound bows, muzzleloaders, handguns, shotguns and rifles.

Kevin was also born and raised in Cleveland Ohio and entered the U.S. Coast Guard  after high school.  Unfortunately he received a medical retirement only after several years. 

Upon his departure from the U.S. Coast Guard, Kevin was employed by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.  He was a Correctional Officer for 9 months before becoming a Deputy Sheriff in 1991.  He currently holds the rank of sergeant.

During his tenure as a Deputy Kevin has been assigned to numerous different units consisting of, but not limited to the Detective Bureau and K-9 Unit.
 

Brian J. Campbell
Range Safety Officer

Brian is Keith’s younger brother.  Although he is not a Law Enforcement Officer he has still been involved with firearms his entire life.  He had no choice with a family full of police officers.  Also born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Brian was employed by the Cleveland Water Department right out of high school.  He is currently a Unit Leader out of the Nottingham Water Treatment Plant.    

When Keith founded COMMENCE FIRE, Brian successfully completed all of the available courses and is currently a Concealed Handgun License holder.  After three years and countless training sessions Brian has proven himself to be a competent Range Safety Officer.
 

Look at Our Facility or our Advanced Classes Slide shows!