Jason Falconer
CEO / Instructor
Jason Falconer is the president and owner of Tactical Advantage and has also been operating Tactical Advantage Firearms Training, Inc., since 2003. Tactical Advantage currently concentrates on firearms training for individuals in a group or private setting, including Minnesota Permit to Carry courses. Jason has also created advanced and customized classes for individuals who desire more advanced safety training. As a consulting member of SMEAC, Jason specializes in reality-based training, law enforcement and personal security training. His business has grown primarily through student referrals and he takes great pride in providing the best training options available in central Minnesota.
Jason believes everyone can always learn something new, no matter what their expertise or discipline. That’s why continued education and training has been a strong personal interest of his. As a result, he’s attended some of the best firearms training schools in the United States. His goal is to teach individuals the mindset, knowledge and skills needed to be successful with firearms in order to secure their personal safety or that of their family; at home or in public. As a firearm training professional, he continuously researches and develops new curriculum and training methods to make the experience for his students the best they can get.
Since 2008, Jason has been assisting with St. Cloud State University’s Law Enforcement Skills Training in the disciplines of decision shooting and dynamic entry. He intends to use this experience to further develop the curriculum to help instruct law enforcement professionals and responsible citizens the benefits of reality-based training. Jason believes that although civilian and law enforcement students can obtain great firearms training from various sources, they are missing a key component in their personal safety training if that training is not reality-based.
Jason has a law enforcement background; he is the former Chief of the Albany Police Department and he continues to serve as a part-time officer with the City of Avon. Jason also serves as the department’s firearms instructor and has created POST Board approved firearms training curriculum.
He is an instructor with the United States Conceal and Carry Association (USCCA), a certified instructor with the National Rifle Association (NRA), a part of the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), a certified Glock Armorer and a member of the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Granite Lodge #17.
Jason has been a member of the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) as well as a local club, the St. Cloud Area Practical Shooter’s Association (SCAPSA) for many years. He competes at the SCAPSA outdoor range in matches and league competitions, and has attained several league championships in various divisions. Jason is an avid 3-gun competitor and has had the privilege to compete along side some of best 3-gun competitors in the shooting sports today. In June 2012, St. Cloud hosted the Canadian-American Police-Fire Games (CAN-AM) for law enforcement and firefighters from around the world. Jason was fortunate to compete in various CAN-AM events including two of his passions, shooting sports and ice hockey. For his efforts, as well as his team members, Jason earned 6 CAN-AM medals, 5 for shooting events and 1 for hockey. This was a tremendous experience to be treasured.
Jason Thompson
Instructor/Range Safety Officer/Sales
Jason Thompson joined the Tactical Advantage team in 2020 after an 18 year law enforcement career in central Minnesota. During his time in law enforcement, Jason was an instructor in several disciplines including firearms, defensive tactics, taser, active shooter, baton and edged weapons. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to assist our LE customers as well as civilian shooters. Jason quickly moved into an Instructor role after joining TA and has easily adapted his training style for our curriculum.
Jason has obtained his NRA Instructor certification for Refuse To Be A Victim, and has been involved in our Home Defense: Shotgun Workshop and Intro to AR Workshop as well as assisting in other courses. Jason is also one of our primary Permit-to-Carry Instructors and particularly enjoys this class as it gives him the ability to share his knowledge of situational awareness, crime prevention and laws pertaining to firearms and self defense, as well as teaching more people about gun safety and responsibility.
Corey Nellis
Instructor / Range Safety Officer / Sales
Corey Nellis is a part-time team member at Tactical Advantage; primarily working as a range safety officer and sales person and also occasionally assists with course instruction. He is currently the Chief of Police of Avon, and prior to that spent time between being the chief of the Walnut Grove Police Department and an officer in the Redwood Falls Police Department to span his 27 year law enforcement career. Corey joined Tactical Advantage in June 2014 where he assists with Minnesota Permit to Carry and Introduction to Handgun courses.
Corey earned his A.A.S. in law enforcement from Alexandria Technical College and also has experience teaching decision shooting, dynamic entry and response to active shooter classes to law enforcement students at Alexandria Technical College and St. Cloud State University.
Corey has been certified as a USCCA Instructor and is a member of the Stearns County Chiefs of Police Association (SCCPA) and Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA). He is also a firefighter and has been with the Avon Fire Department since 2001. He is a member of the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board and the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education.
In addition to his law enforcement training, Corey has also attended nationally recognized firearms training courses such as Handgun Combatives with Dave Spaulding. Corey is eager to continue his own personal development and also share the best of what he learns with our students and customers, especially in the introductory classes with beginning shooters.
Dennis Shafer
Instructor / Range Safety Officer
Dennis is currently one of the MN Permit-to-Carry Instructors at Tactical Advantage, and he has taught a variety of classes with Tactical Advantage since 2016 including Intro to Handguns and the Tactical Tuesday series. Dennis is a member of the NRA and is a certified NRA Range Safety Officer as well as being a certified USCCA Firearms Instructor.
Dennis previously received training at a Tier 1 Firearms facility working his way up to expert level in both defensive pistol and rifle. He has also been a student in the Defensive Training International class instructed by well-known firearms expert, John Farnam. This multi-dimensional firearms experience in addition to an extensive martial arts/self defense background, allows Dennis to bring a unique and very knowledgeable perspective to firearms training, specifically for the MN Permit-to-Carry class.
In addition to firearms training, Dennis enjoys training as an avid Crossfit athlete.
Todd Drayna
Instructor / Range Safety Officer / Sales
Todd Drayna has been a staff member at Tactical Advantage since May 2014, occasionally assisting instructors in their courses. He is currently a police officer, starting his career in 2002, and has been a detective with the Elk River Police Department since 2014. He received a degree from St. Cloud State University and later graduated from the law enforcement program at Alexandria Technical College. He has also attended firearms training at Thunder Ranch Inc. in Texas and has taken the tactical high risk warrant service course at the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center in Camp Dodge, Iowa.
Todd is a member of the NRA and is an NRA certified instructor in pistol, home firearm safety and personal protection in the home. He also participates in Glock competitions.
Todd enjoys helping students learn the tools and techniques needed to safely handle a firearm, and helping experienced shooters learn alternatives to help improve their abilities.
