BELLE T. MCCORMACK
Belle McCormack is the Owner, Director, and Lead Instructor for The Firearms Academy of Seattle, Inc. She started teaching with us in 2016 and came on staff full time in 2017 as our Operations Manager. In 2021 she took over as President of the company and finalized the sale of the company with Marty in 2022. Belle was formerly a Private Security Certified Handgun Instructor for the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and taught in their Instructor Certification Program. She also holds an instructor certification from Tom Givens/Rangemaster, Massad Ayoob Group Deadly Force Instructor, Shot-IQ Pistol Instructor, and is a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor. She has received additional training from Massad Ayoob, John Farnam, Chuck Taylor, Gunsite, Terry Trahan, Rory Miller, Marc Macyoung, Karl Rehn, Erick Gelhaus, Ed Monk, Steve Fisher, Jared Reston, Tim Herron, AJ Zito, Chuck Pressberg, Kerry Davis, Mike Pannone, Bill Blowers, Robert Vogel, Scott Jedlinski, Alex Hartman of Ridgeline, and Joel Turner of Shot IQ.
Belle has over 20 years of experience in training, coaching, and other adult education in a variety of fields. Before coming to FAS, she was the volunteer rangemaster at Jefferson County Sportsmans’ Association from 2014 to 2016 and assisted at Arms Pro, LCC, a gunsmith in Port Townsend, WA.
ERIK L. KNISE
Erik Knise is the Operations Manager, resident tech guy, and a Staff Instructor for FAS. He started training here in 2016 and after completing nearly the entire FAS curriculum in 2017 he was invited into the FAS Apprenticeship Program where he received his instructor certifications in Handgun, Rifle, and Shotgun in 2018. Erik has instructor certifications from Tom Givens/Rangemaster, MAG Deadly Force Instructor, Patrol Rifle and RDS Instructor from Centrifuge Training, Shot-IQ Pistol Instructor, Handgun & Patrol Shotgun Instructor from WA CJTC, and is a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor.
His outside training includes Massad Ayoob, John Farnam, Chuck Taylor, Tom Givens, Gunsite, Rob Leatham, Larry Vickers, Jared Reston, Steve Fisher, Zach Campbell, Tim Herron, AJ Zito, Mike Pannone, Earnest Langdon, John Holschen, Erick Gelhaus, Gabe White, Caleb Causey, William Aprill, Paul Sharp, Varg Freeborn, Lee Weems, John Hearne, Karl Rehn, Ed Monk, John Murphy, Marc MacYoung, Terry Trahan, Kerry Davis, Dan Smith/Centrifuge, Bones LSP/Centrifuge, Joel Turner Shot-IQ, and has taken multiple shoot house classes, including force on force, with Joe Weyer of Alliance Police Training and Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts.
Erik is the only person to have passed Chuck Taylor’s Handgun Combat Masters Test with a traditional DA/SA (Beretta 92A1). He is a Master class IDPA shooter and won the Stock Service Pistol division at the 2018 Washington State IDPA Championship hosted here at FAS. He also holds Tim Herron's Barrel Drill Patch #28.
BRIAN YIP
Brian began his journey with F.A.S. as a student in 2007, spending the next several years mastering the foundational handgun curriculum. Invited into the F.A.S. Apprenticeship Program in late 2016, he earned his Handgun Instructor certification in 2018. A dedicated student of the craft, Brian specializes in long-range engagements and holds instructor credentials from the NRA, Tom Givens (Rangemaster), and Joel Turner (SHOT IQ).
His extensive training background spans the country’s most prestigious instructors and institutions , including Massad Ayoob, Tom Givens, Marc MacYoung, Rory Miller, Joel Turner, and Kerry Davis (Dark Angel Medical). He is a Gunsite 499 graduate and continuously sharpens his skills through advanced training at renowned facilities such as Hat Creek, Accuracy 1st, and other private training entities.
Bringing a highly practical, real-world edge to his students, Brian actively competes in long-range disciplines and has assisted with both local law enforcement and international military training. Professionally, he leverages over 15 years of industry experience as a Regional Sales Manager working for one of the leaders in the long range sector, offering students deep technical expertise in firearms and accessories.
Outside of teaching and training, Brian enjoys the simpler things in life—spending time with his senior dog and training at the gym.
CHRIS HAROLD
Chris Harold came to his first class at FAS in 2011, and has been a familiar face ever since. He was invited to join the FAS staff in 2020. Chris comes to us with a background in adult education, and for most of his adult life he’s been teaching in one form or another, including four years working with novice shooters at an indoor range.
Outside of his training at FAS, Chris has taken multiple classes with Tom Givens/Rangemaster, James Yeager/Tactical Response, Massad Ayoob, John Farnam, Steve Fisher, Jared Reston, Ed Monk, the Appleseed Project, and Dark Angel Medical. In addition, he has studied with Ken Hackathorn, Craig Douglas, Tim Herron, Eric Pfleger, Karl Rehn, Gabe White, Lee Weems, Joel Turner, Terry Trahan, Dustin Saloman, Steve Shields, Front Sight, and several others.
Chris has an Advanced Instructor certification with Rangemaster, is a certified MAG Deadly Force Instructor, Shot IQ Pistol Instructor, and an NRA certified Pistol Instructor. At FAS Chris teaches Handgun, Rifle, and Shotgun courses with a master rating in each. Chris was also certified by former FAS director Marty Hayes as a Defensive Revolver Instructor. Chris is a lifelong student of the art, a life member of the NRA, and is passionate about the 2nd Amendment. He enjoys helping students reach their potential when it comes to the defensive use of a firearm.
BRIAN E. BOLDT
Brian began as a student at FAS in 2020 and completed the full program in 2023. He has achieved master-level certifications in defensive handgun (right- and left-handed), revolver, shotgun, and rifle, and was invited into the FAS Apprenticeship Program where he received his instructor certifications in Handgun and Rifle in 2025.
He is also an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, MAG Deadly Force Instructor, and a Glock Certified Advanced Armorer, having completed their curriculum in Smyrna, GA. He has studied with Massad Ayoob, Joel Turner, Mike Pannone, Steve Fisher, Jared Reston, Craig Douglas, Erick Gelhaus, Greg Ellifritz, Tim Herron, Marc MacYoung, John Murphy, Ed Monk, Mark Fricke, Darrel Bolke, Rob & Matt Haught, Dark Angel Medical, Ridgeline Defense, and holds an Expert Rifleman Ranking with Project Appleseed.
Brian has a diverse background beyond firearms, ranging from music education to martial arts, and works as a professional fitness coach. He has a passion for body mechanics and helping students achieve their best in their ability to defend themselves.