INSTRUCTORS

Keith E. Campbell
Owner / President / Chief Instructor / NRA Certified Instructor / Range Safety Officer

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!

Cynthia (Cindy) Campbell
NRA Certified Instructor / American Red Cross Certified Instructor

Cindy is Keith’s wife of 18 years.  They met at the age of 16 and have been together ever since. Cindy was not introduced to firearms until she met Keith.  Once she was introduced to the shooting world there was no turning back.  She thoroughly enjoys going to the range and shooting with Keith and their two sons, Kyle and Kory. 

Once the decision was made to establish Commence Fire Cindy decided to assist in every way possible.  Cindy is the backbone of Commence Fire.  Without her there is no Commence Fire.  Cindy is the Operational Manager and handles the day to day operations.  When you call for assistance she is the pleasant voice on the other end.  She has proven herself to be quit knowledgeable in all aspects of Ohio Concealed Carry, but if you stump her, she will refer to Keith for your answer.  Good luck on stumping her!  In addition to handling everything else Cindy is also our only female instructor.  She is certified as an NRA Pistol Instructor and an American Red Cross First Aid / CPR / AED Instructor.  You think you’re busy?  Spend a day in her shoes!

Ronald G. Campbell
NRA Certified Instructor / 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
NRA Certified Instructor / 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
NRA Certified Instructor / 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.

Scott Goss
NRA Certified Instructor / Range Safety Officer

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.
NRA Certified Instructor / Range Safety Officer

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!”   
 

Ed’s involvement with firearms started at the age of 15 when family members took him hunting for the first time.  That was all it took, he has been hooked on the outdoors and the shooting sports every since.   He is an NRA Certified Instructor in the disciplines of Basic Pistol, Home Firearm Safety and Basic Personal Protection in the Home.  A CCW holder himself, Ed takes safety seriously and has proven to be a true asset to the Commence Fire Team.  Eddie has continued to advance his knowledge of firearms by completing several courses with outside training facilities. 

Ed was born and raised in Garfield Heights and currently resides in Cleveland and enjoys spending his free time with his girlfriend Diane.  He is 38 years old and currently works for a large laminating company which services most of Northeast Ohio.

 

Stephen G. Moluse
NRA Certified Instructor / Range Safety Officer

Steve is an NRA Instructor currently certified in Pistol, Personal Protection in the Home and Home Firearms Security.  He began working with Commence Firearms in 2006; first as a student and now as an Instructor.  Steve teaches the Basic Marksmanship, Concealed Carry and Advanced Handgun classes and is also available to teach NRA’s First Steps Pistol Program for those who desire “one on one” or small group private instruction.  Steve has continued to advance his knowledge of firearms by completing several courses with outside training facilities.  Steve recently completed the OPOTC Private Security Firearms Certification Course.

Steve is the Director of Planning and a Partner in a large multi-disciplinary architectural firm in Cleveland. He is a graduate of Ohio State University, School of Architecture. He is also the President and founder of SGM Design 360; Property Visualization Specialists, providing Virtual Photographic Tours for Realtors, Property Owners and Developers. Visit his web site at www.SGMDesign360.com.

Steve and his wife Mary Jo, who is a High School English Teacher in Amherst, reside in Avon, Ohio.

David J. Keeler
NRA Certified Instructor / Range Safety Officer

David comes to us from a family of shooters and firearm enthusiasts.  At a young age he participated in such clinics as the NRA Hunter Safety Course and the Ohio DCM (Department of Civilian Marksmanship) for the M1 Garand. Involved in many disciplines from pistol, rifle and trap to hunting and avid reloading, he has enjoyed many aspects of shooting. Shooting sports and firearm safety have been an important part of his family life and upbringing.  He is a NRA Certified Instructor in the disciplines of Basic Pistol, Home

Firearm Safety and Basic Personal Protection in the Home, as well as a NRA Range Safety Officer.  A CHL holder himself, he is here to help you create a firm foundation in the practice of firearm safety and marksmanship.  These are the basic tools you will need to enjoy a lifetime of shooting. Dave has continued to advance his knowledge of firearms by completing several courses with outside training facilities.  Dave recently completed the OPOTC Private Security Firearms Certification Course.

David was born and raised in Garfield Heights.  He currently resides in Russell with his wife and daughter.  David went to school for Industrial Electricity and has spent many years in the troubleshooting/repair field.  He works as a service technician in the machine tool industry and has done so for more than 15 years.

Kyle Campbell
NRA Certified Apprentice Instructor

Kyle is Keith and Cindy’s 15 year old son.  Kyle has been taught firearms safety and marksmanship from the age of 6.  He completed the NRA Instructor Course and is only considered an apprentice due to his age.  As long as there is an adult present Kyle can and does instruct each of our courses.  Kyle’s NRA Certified Training Counselor told him at the conclusion of his course, “Kyle, there are Certified Instructors that can learn a thing or two from you!”

Kyle finished his 8 years of grade school with First Honors all four quarters of all 8 years.     Kyle is now a “Freshman” attending Saint Ignatius High School and is doing extremely well. 

Don’t let his age fool you!  Kyle is mature beyond his years and is an accomplished shooter.  Without a doubt Kyle has proven to be a confident and competent instructor with an extremely bright future with Commence Fire.

Look at Our Facility or our Advanced Classes Slide shows!