Government Training Institute Instructors and Staff
The cadre of the Government Training Institute is comprised of tactical leaders from a diverse background of military and law enforcement fields. This diverse group of instructors has delivered and designed numerous military manuals and specific course curriculums for state, local and federal agencies. Combined together, with a theoretical and research-based initiative, GTI delivers sound, tested, operational experience and course development.
President and founder of the Government Training Institute, Chadd Harbaugh has worked in the field of homeland security, defense and law enforcement since 1989. Described as an analytical and progressive leader who strives for success at the highest levels of achievement, his creativity, desire, and aggressive pursuit of solutions has created numerous successful programs.
Mr. O’Connor has three years of military experience with the United States Army Military Police along with 25 years of experience in law enforcement. Dennis has participated in high-profile drug investigations. As a member of the S.W.A.T. team, he has participated in numerous S.W.A.T. operations.
Travis comes to GTI with a combined 12 years of Military and Law Enforcement experience. He has completed assignments with Third Battalion Third Marine Division, First Battalion Third Marine Division, and Chief Instructor of Third Marine Division Regimental Schools prior to joining a local Sheriff’s Office in the Southeast.
Mr. Gunderson’s areas of expertise -- conventional and non-conventional breaching techniques, close quarters combat (the Military equivalent to civilian SWAT), rifle, pistol and shotgun marksmanship, operation and mission planning, weapons maintenance and long range marksmanship.
Peter Spagnolo Senior Adjunct Instructor, Terrorism/Military
Mr. Spagnolo is a retiree of the 5th Special Forces Group. During his service, he spent a great deal of time in the Middle East, conducting real world operations in Kuwait, Kenya, Oman and the United Arab Emirates and a real world counterterrorism mission in Kuwait. During his active duty, Mr. Spagnolo has made an extensive study of terrorism as it relates to the Middle East.
Chris comes to GTI with a combined 15 years of Military and Law Enforcement experience completing enlistments in the 82d Airborne and the New Mexico National Guard prior to joining a local Sheriff’s Department in the southwest.
Jason Pietrzak has been a civilian law enforcement officer for nine years and has served at the state, county and city levels of government. His positions included patrol, CID, field training, SWAT, K9 and acting field commander.
Paul is currently assigned as a Sergeant for a County Law Enforcement Agency where he is both a member of their Special Response Team and Gang Specialist. Paul proudly retired from the United States Army prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office.
Detective Tony Taylor (Ret) has over 25 years of experience working narcotics under local, state and federal narcotics task forces. There are few people in the world that can match Tony’s experience in the field of counter-narcotic operations. As well as instructing for GTI, Tony also teaches for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
Mr. Wright holds memberships with the Idaho Narcotics Officers Association, the International Association of Undercover Officers, National Tactical Officers Association the United States Practical Shooters Association, and the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers. His current assignment: ACSO SWAT Entry Team Leader.
Paolo Simeone served 9 years active duty in the Italian Marine Reconnaissance and French Foreign Legion. Paolo performed deployments in Reconnaissance and Airborne/ Sabotage in Albania, Somalia, Djibouti, The Balkins and the Adriatic Sea. Serving in the Italian Navy Special Forces, Paolo is a Close Combatant Diver, Paratrooper, Free Fall Parachutist and Weapons Expert.
Valeria Castellani has worked as a PSD/ CP in Iraq, where she served as the Project Manager/ PSD in Baghdad for DTS Security. She also served as the Security Trainer for an American based company of Iraqi guards in Basra. Valeria taught Mine Risk Education in Angola and served as a VIP body guard.
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