About Us

Steven is responsible for advancing Accelerated Training Institute’s educational mission through strategic planning, program/curriculum review and implementing organizational systems that make learning possible. Steven brings over 25 years of experience in organizational planning and development as well as a passion for enhancing the lives of our students through the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Steven holds a BS in Human Resource Management and MBA in International Business both from University of Oregon

Gene has 20+ years of distance education business experience. Gene has a trade skills background, distance education credentials, and is a licensed contractor

Our Student Advisors are available to help students explore their academic interests, provide additional course information, and develop plans of study.

Liz offers student services and placement through well-developed process and a strong relationship with the students and leadership in the academic community. Liz’s love of learning is shown in her academic achievements with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy, MAM In Management, Masters in Psychology, PhD in organization development.

Providing telephone and online support to answer student questions and provide services for such needs as how to access and participate in online courses, online testing, taking retests, contacting faculty or any other questions they may have related to school policy and procedure that are not directly related to the instructional content of their course.

Vincent has extensive experience with using financial aid to facilitate an academic career. After attending Washington State and Gonzaga Universities for his bachelors and master’s program he was left with strong desire to assist others with their understanding and access to student financial aid. He now works with financial aid programs and with students to assist them with funding opportunities.

Master Gunsmith

Mr. Elola has more than 36 years’ experience in the electrical trade working as a licensed electrical contractor, college instructor, private consultant, senior electrical project engineer and electrical systems engineer. His passion is teaching the electrical trade. In addition to his electrical degree, Mr. Elola also earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering.

Mr. Burch is a retired second-generation licensed plumber with more than 52 years’ experience in the plumbing, heating and cooling industry and a business now run by his sons. Gene has also been teaching all aspects of the plumbing trade since 1969; and currently also teaches at a high school. He is certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to teach plumbing and a blended curriculum in construction technology.

Has been building, repairing, and modifying guns for over 50 years. A graduate of 20 consecutive summers at the NRA Summer Gunsmithing Programs at Lassen and Yavapai Colleges, he saved up so many projects to do there each year that Lassen created a new course called “Special Projects”. After 30 years in the security industry, he went to work for the American Gunsmithing Institute in 2005 where his broad knowledge and logical problem solving abilities resulted in his becoming the Tech Services Manager and “Go To” person for student and customer technical questions on the courses, content, and test questions. He has watched every minute of all of AGI’s videos and does the final proof on all new material. He does instructional videos, firearm and product evaluations, and answers Gunsmithing questions from our AGI students and Gun Club of America on our monthly webcasts

Mr. Woolman is an expert in all aspects of locksmithing and is considered the go-to-guy with regards to learning about rare and collectible locks and safes. He has worked in the Locksmithing trade and has owned his own company for more than 30 years

Mr. Rizzetto has more than 37 years of experience in the welding trade and is a NCCER-credentialed Welding Instructor. Because of his thorough training and experience, he understands exactly what is happening when students are welding and how to explain it to the student in a detailed, yet easy, way to understand. He enjoys teaching and introducing students to the amazing, demanding, yet rewarding world of welding

Mr. Bush is a Master Armorer and has a long and colorful connection with firearms. John is constantly traveling as a consultant to manufacturers and importers of military firearms, and he is certified as an expert witness in firearms casts.

Mr. Graham is a known authority, author and gunsmith specializing in Glocks and other handguns. An NRA-certified Pistol Instructor, T. R. has worked in all facets of the civilian firearms industry including research and development, public relations, manufacturing, instruction and gunsmithing. His personal training includes instruction and certification from several manufacturers on their weapons

Mr. Holland is well known as a custom rifle builder, writer and lecturer. He builds some of the tightest shooting rifles in existence. Darrell is always inventing new performance shooting products, and he is constantly pushing the envelope with regards to integrating the latest technology and ideas into his rifle designs to increase accuracy and improve reliability. Darrell has instructed many courses for the American Gunsmithing Institute that take advantage of his unique knowledge and expertise. His simple, direct instructional style makes learning any subject easy, and his attention to detail is legendary. He enjoys teaching and has taught gunsmithing and marksmanship courses internationally. Even the most experienced shooters and gunsmiths learn from his courses. Always pragmatic, Darrell is constantly looking for and testing ideas that “will work in the real world.” His unique “V Block” one-screw bedding system is an excellent example of his thinking and machining skill.

Mr. Shuey is a former Mr. America (1960), a top International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) shooter, a founding member of the Southwest Pistol League and a former consultant to Colt Firearms. He was also the first sectional coordinator and helped start IPSC in Texas. As a Master Gunsmith specializing in 1911-style IPSC limited and open class guns and high end custom rifles, Gene has contributed a great deal of knowledge and information to American Gunsmithing Institute’s instructional gunsmithing courses. Some of the American Gunsmithing Institute courses he has instructed include: Building the Reliable 1911, Building the Custom Mauser Rifle, Stock Refinishing, Glass Bedding, Professional Metal Finishing, Parkerizing, Rust Bluing and Professional Gun Cleaning: Tricks, Tips and Techniques. He has also provided consulting and insight on many of the School’s other courses.

Mr. Burch is a retired second-generation licensed plumber with more than 52 years’ experience in the plumbing, heating and cooling industry and a business now run by his sons. Gene has also been teaching all aspects of the plumbing trade since 1969; and currently also teaches at a high school. He is certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to teach plumbing and a blended curriculum in construction technology.

A graduate of and former instructor at the renowned Gunsmithing Program at Lassen Community College in Susanville, California, Ken works full time with Bob Dunlap at their shop in Coquille, Oregon. Ken also hosts online bi-weekly webcast technical classes for our gunsmithing students. When Bob retires from gunsmithing, he plans on turning his entire operation over to Ken because he has developed into such a great design, function and repair gunsmith.