Ivan got started shooting at the age of 10, hunting ducks with his family in Louisiana. He grew his skills with firearms when he went to West Point and later became a US Army Infantry officer. During his time in the Army, Ivan connected with a group of shotgunners and has shot many 25-straight rounds on the skeet field. After leaving the military, he became more focused on pistol shooting. As part of his shooting education, Ivan has taken classes from Larry Vickers, Bob Vogel, Gunsite, and others. When not shooting or training, he pursues his duck hunting passion each fall. During these hunts, Ivan loves to take photos of the amazing scenery.

Ivan is as an NRA certified safety officer, pistol and rifle instructor and has taken the North Carolina Concealed Carry Instructor Course and the Glock Armorer Course. He mostly competes in Glock, IDPA, and 3 Gun matches and is often at Carolina Sporting Arms for the Monday night matches. As Captain of Team CSA, Ivan is happy to talk about firearm training and employment.

Eli began his shooting career while in the US Air Force, eventually shooting on the USAF Pistol Team in US NRA Bullseye Pistol competitions at the state, regional, interservice, and national levels. After moving to Europe, he switched to International Pistol, specializing in the International Rapid Fire event. While stationed in Germany, he was chosen to represent the USAF in the Council of International Sports Military (CISM) Aviation Pentathlon. During his European assignment he competed in matches in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and Finland representing the USAF.

Upon returning to the US, Eli ventured into practical shooting at a time when International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) was at a crossroads and in the midst of a great deal of change.

After retiring from the Air Force, he was selected to train on the US National Developmental team with hopes of making the US Team prior to the Atlanta Olympics; however, that was not to be.

After a short break, he returned to the shooting games, but soon switched from the precision pistol disciplines to the action pistol games. At this point in time, he began participating in Glock Shooting Sports Foundation (GSSF) and International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) events; and on occasion, venturing into USPSA/IPSC and NRA Action Shooting.

Some highlights of his shooting career are winning the .45 ACP Rapid Fire Match at the 2001 NRA National Pistol Matches in Camp Perry Ohio, winning the Georgia State IDPA Revolver Championship, and winning the USAF Distinguished Pistol Award among others.

Nick is relatively new to the world of shooting sports and has been participating since 2014. He frequently participates in various sports from 3-Gun to Trap as each sport develops a different skill and therefore creates a different problem to solve.

Nick has a favorite quote from USMC Colonel Jeff Cooper:

Continually I hear reporters speak of persons or units as being “outgunned.” I have said it before and I will say it again: You are outgunned only if you miss!

Nick believes that true marksmanship can not be purchased from inside a gun display case or picked up on a store shelf. Only through training and practice can one gain real marksmanship ability.

Nick is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun and a Range Safety Officer. Additionally, he is also a certified NRA Personal Protection Instructor Inside the Home and Outside the Home. Furthermore, Nick also holds a North Carolina Department of Justice Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor certification.

When not on the range, Nick explores other public interests serving on various boards and committees for the City of Charlotte. He also visits the store often on Mondays for Game Night or Saturday afternoons for a supply run after a match.