About Spartan Group / Instructor Cadre
Spartan Group Instructor Cadre
Program Director - Tactical Operations - Mark Callahan
Mark Callahan has served extensively in various capacities within the US Army Special Forces. As a senior weapons specialist assigned to an Operational Detachment – Alpha (ODA), he trained, assisted, and advised numerous foreign military and police units throughout Central and South America. Mark has served combat tours in Afghanistan in 2003, 2006, and 2009. In his 2006 deployment, Mark served as a Special Forces Team Sergeant where he directed and supervised various SF combat embedded advisors teams assigned to special operations coalition forces to include elements from France, Poland, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates. During 2009 he again served as a Team Sergeant tasked with the advising and leading of the Tier 1 Afghan (2nd Commando) Kandak operating throughout Southeastern Afghanistan. Mark has been assigned as a Committee Chief for the Special Operations Training - Detachment (SOT-D) where he has been instrumental in the training of US Special Operations forces in Close Quarters Battle and supporting skills. Prior to his selection to Special Forces, Mark served with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany and is a graduate of the Special Operations Counter Terrorism Course (SFARTAETC).
Program Director - Tactical Operations - Karl Duenzl
Karl Duenzl is a 22 year veteran of the NYPD with 15 years spent in the Emergency Service Unit. He has been one of the primary instructors for the Emergency Service Unit Specialized Training School for 9 years. He has served on countless high-risk dignitary protection assignments (Including POTUS, VPOTUS, the Pope, and numerous foreign heads of state) as well served thousands of high-risk warrants and barricaded subject calls. He served as a senior divemaster and tactical medic (NYS EMT-P) for the unit. He is also a member of NYTask Force-1 (USAR task force). Other ESU duties include vehicle extrication specialist, Haz-Mat Technician, high-angle/confined space rope technician and maritime interdiction specialist. He is an NRA certified pistol instructor and one of the SureFire Institute low-light tactics instructors. As part of his teaching assignments he has trained numerous federal, military and local law enforcement officers to include several tier 1 level units as well as numerous international law enforcement and miltary units.
Program Director - Tactical Operations - Kristian Davenport
Kristian Davenport has an extensive career operating in various capacities within both the US Army Special Forces and the United States Marine Corps. As both a junior and senior weapons specialist assigned to an Operational Detachment – Alpha (ODA), he trained, assisted and advised numerous foreign military personnel while on several combat tours to Afghanistan and other parts of the world. Kristian has been on multiple exchange trips with the British SAS and has extensive training in Close Target Reconnaissance (CTR). He has served as one of the Close Quarters Battle (CQB) instructors for the Special Operations Training- Detachment (SOT-D). While with the USMC he served with the 2nd Battalion 3Rd Marines and then with Diplomatic Security Service with the State Department at various United States Embassies to include Hungry, Serbia, and Australia. Kristian has served as a sworn police officer assigned to the full time SWAT team located in Little Rock, AR and has a Bachelors of Science degree from AMU in Sports and Health Sciences.
Program Director - Tactical Operations - Kenneth Van Cott
Kenneth Van Cott served for 25 years on the NYPD including 20 years with the Emergency Service Unit. He taught the ESU SCUBA program as a PADI Instructor and assisted in various other classes as an adjunct instructor including tactics, vehicle extrication, water rescue and maritime interdiction training. He has been on numerous dignitary protection assignments and served countless high-risk warrants during his carreer. He has trained several federal and local law enforcement units to include the USSS CAT Team. Ken holds numerous certificates relating to law enforcement duties including Structural Collapse Technician, Haz-Mat technician, Rope Rescue Technician and NYS certified EMT. Ken is also a SureFire Institute low-light tactics instructor.
Senior Instructor Cadre - Tactical Operations / Unarmed Combatives - Fred Killian
During his twenty-five years of service with the Howell Township (NJ) Police Department, Fred Killian served as Operations Sergeant for the SWAT element. He is a USMC combat veteran of the Vietnam conflict and former member of the US Army Special Forces. As Team Sergeant on a Special Forces "A" Detachment he trained, assisted, and advised units throughout Europe and South America in unconventional warfare parameters, foreign internal defense, and counter narcotics. He has also trained and advised select US National Level Assets in counter terrorism and hostage rescue. Fred is a Master Breacher and Explosive Entry Technician and is cross-trained in Intelligence. He is currently a GHCA hand to hand instructor, 2nd Degree Black Belt, and has been responsible for the training of numerous police, military and protective service personnel in various unarmed combat parameters. Fred is the Chief Instructor of Spartan Group Combative System. Fred has operated both as the Agent in Charge (AIC) and Shift Leader for the Diplomatic Protection Missions in Bosnia (BiH) and has also been responsible for the training of foreign nationals in all facets of the dignitary protection mission.
Instructor Cadre - Law Enforcement Training - Scott Sayre
Scott Sayre is a 20 year veteran of the Newark (NJ) Police Department where he currently serves as a Troop Leader for the SWAT Element and supervisor assigned to the Special Operations Division. Unit duties include Counter Terrorism/Hostage Rescue, High Risk Warrant Entry, Hazmat intervention, and various rescue parameters. Scott also serves as a supervisor for the Rescue Dive Team and in that capacity serves as a Master Dive Instructor for all tactical and SCUBA operations. As a law enforcement trainer he has instructed numerous municipal, county and federal law enforcement members in advanced tactical weapons and entry techniques. Scott has also served with the Spartan Group as a Shift Leader, Protection Agent, and Counter Assault Team member operating throughout the metropolitan area and eastern United States.
Instructor Cadre - Law Enforcement Training - Salvatore Galvano
Sal Galvano is currently assigned to the Newark (NJ) Police Special Operations Division where he serves as a cell leader for the SWAT Element. He is a member of the training cadre for the unit and Primary Instructor for Close Quarters Battle and supporting skills. He has been instrumental in the training of team members and municipal and county agencies in all aspects of advanced marksmanship and the high risk entry mission. Prior to his selection to the Special Operations Division, Sal has served in the patrol division, the plain clothes anti-crime unit, and Criminal Investigative Division. In addition to various firearm instructor qualifications he holds certifications as a HAZMAT Technician, less lethal/chemical munitions instructor and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and has served as a police academy instructor.
Instructor Cadre - Tactical Operations / Law Enforcement Training - Charles P. Mollineaux
Chuck Mollineaux is a 15 year veteran of the Law Enforcement community and his career includes service in Corrections, Gang Intelligence, Police Academy and the Patrol Division. Chuck is currently assigned to the Belleville (NJ) Police Department's Emergency Services Unit where he serves as an Assistant Team Leader, Assault Team Member, Breacher, and Firearms and Tactics Instructor. He has an extensive background in Close Quarters Combat (CQC) and is certified in Explosive Breaching, SWAT tactics and Precision Marksmanship. Chuck also serves actively as a military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and during his 16 year military career with the United States Army and United States Air Force he has served as an Armor Crewman, Airbase Ground Security, Combat Arms Instructor, and Intelligence Analyst. Chuck is a decorated veteran of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom and has served as an Adjunct Instructor and Advisor to Spartan Group for eight years.
Instructor Cadre - Law Enforcement Training - Peter Bumanlag
Pete Bumanlag is an operational member of the Newark (NJ) Police Emergency Response Team assigned to the Special Operations Division where he serves as a cell leader and Close Quarters Battle instructor. In that capacity he has been involved in the training and assessment of various tactical teams throughout the central and northern New Jersey area. Prior to his selection to the Special Operations Division, Pete served in the Patrol Division, Narcotics Squad, and the legendary Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF). He holds various instructor certifications to include defensive tactics, diversionary device implementation, and unarmed edged weapons defense. He is a current Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and adjunct Police Academy instructor.
Instructor Cadre - K-9 Operations / Law Enforcement Training - Gabriel Rispoli
Gabe Rispoli is a 22 year veteran of the Essex County (NJ) Sheriff’s Office with the majority of his career spent in law enforcement special operations. He is currently assigned to the Tactical Response Team, the Detective Bureau, and serves on a warrant execution squad. Gabe previously worked full-time in the Executive Protection Unit and served 12 years as a member of the countywide K-9/Bomb Squad as a K-9 handler and K-9 trainer for narcotics detection, explosive detection, and human tracking. As a K-9 handler, Gabe participated in the service and execution of countless high-risk search warrants resulting in the seizure of large volumes of narcotics and firearms. He is also the owner and President of Alpha K-9, a private security firm providing K-9 explosive detection services to the corporate sector including major shipping and receiving facilities and cruise lines. Gabe holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development as well as several certifications in SWAT tactics, Methods of Instruction, SCUBA operations and freefall skydiving.
Instructor Cadre - Master Fitness - Dr. Walt Andzel
Dr. Andzel is a professor of Exercise Physiology at Kean University in New Jersey. He received his PhD in Applied Physiology from Columbia University. At Kean University, he is coordinator of the Adult Fitness Program and Director of the Exercise Physiology Lab. He has completed research papers on the effects of warm-up on cardio-respiratory endurance performance and on the physiological profiles of military, firefighter police personnel. He is a consultant to man Top Amateur and Professional athletes including the New York Giants. Dr. Andzel is also a special exercise consultant to the Medical Naval Advisory Board for Special Warfare Operations. This includes the SEAL pre BUD/S, BUD/S, the United States Marine Corps, and many other Law Enforcement and Military Units. He is also a Graduate Adjunct Professor in the Health Administration Program at Kennedy Western University. Dr. Andzel is also a featured author in many fitness and exercise magazines.
