Rich worked full time as a police officer in Northeastern Ohio from 2006-2018. During his time in fulltime law enforcement he worked as a patrol officer and served on the department’s multi-jurisdictional SWAT team for over five years. During his time in SWAT, he attained the grade of Master Operator and participated in real world operation involving search warrants, high risk arrest warrants, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and dignitary protection. He has experience and training in CQB (Close Quarters Battle), Vehicle CQB, Explosive, Thermal and Ballistic Breaching, low light operations and Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

In 2018 Rich made the tough decision to leave full-time law enforcement so he could focus on family and his two companies; Hart’s Gun and Lampas Security Consulting. Rich still serves the law enforcement community by working part-time for another police department and SWAT team in area where lives and operates his businesses.

At age 17, Rich enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served from 1999 to 2003. He was a maintenance manager (0411) and was attached to VMU-1 in 29 Palms CA from 2000 to 2003. He also trained to be a unit armorer, maintaining weapon readiness and inventory. After being honorably discharged from the military, he attended The Ohio State University from 2003-2006, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with two majors in Criminology and Sociology. While studying at Ohio State, he was a member of The Ohio State University NCAA Pistol Team and competed from 2003 to 2006.

Rich has over 14 years of experience as an NRA range safety officer and is a certified instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal protection inside the home, personal protection outside the home, and home firearm safety. Rich has over 10 years of experience working with civilians and has begun working with more and more law enforcement officers. In 2017 he was given the honor to teach multiple training classes for the Northern Ohio U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Taskforce in firearms and tactics. He has successfully completed multiple certification, instructor, and instructor development programs including, but not limited to, Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Glock- Pistol Instructor, Sentinel Concepts- Train the Trainer Course, LMS Defense- Gunfighter Instructor Course, 88 Tactical- Vehicle CQB Instructor Course, M.A.C.E- O.C. (Pepper spray) instructor, CTS- Flash Bang Instructor, and CTS- Chemical Munitions Instructor.

After a decade of police work in a city of 80,000, Rich has gathered a wealth of real world experience working in high stress and rapidly changing environments. He understands firsthand the cold realities that private citizens and armed professionals face on a day to day basis.

As an instructor, Rich understands the importance of being both a student and an instructor. Rich constantly participates in weapons, tactics, and medical care classes to maintain his skills as an armed professional, and as an instructor. He is dedicated to upholding a professional standard to ensure that his students are being trained in up to date and relevant curriculum and tactics.

Rich gives back to the community by donating time and resources to teach youth rifle leagues, Boy Scouts of America merit badge classes, church security programs, organizing local and state shooting events, and community outreach programs.

A full resume including certifications, professional development training, and military records is available upon request.