All members of the INPAX® instructor staff have completed the 350 hour INPAX® instructor certification program developed by INPAX® founder Sam Rosenberg; One of the most comprehensive and challenging instructor programs in the industry.
All INPAX® instructors are CPR, AED and Emergency First Aid Certified, and are Pennsylvania Act 34-151 Certified to work with children and schools.
Comprehensive background checks and evaluations are conducted on all instructors prior to admitting them in the INPAX® instructor training program.
Sam Rosenberg has been a professional trainer in personal security since 1996—and has worked in defensive tactics, martial arts, wrestling and personal fitness since 1984.
A 1994 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Sam was a varsity team member of the school’s NCAA Division I wrestling program. Sam also earned a coveted berth in the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School, where he earned a commission as a USMC Lieutenant.
On graduation, Sam began his tour of active duty with the US Marine Corps. Attached to the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, in Quantico, Virginia, he received formal training in all aspects of small-unit leadership, weapons and tactics, counter terrorism and close-quarter battle—qualifying as an expert in both rifle and pistol marksmanship.
In addition to his formal training in the Marine Corps, Sam continued his private study of personal security and defensive tactics—practicing, teaching and competing in many martial-arts styles, including Judo and Jiu-jitsu.
Following his tour with the Marine Corps, Sam worked both as a martial arts instructor and an executive protection specialist, with an emphasis on high-profile, high-risk clients. He also continued to compete in martial arts, and in 2001 entered active competition in the International Defensive Pistol Association and the International Practical Shooting Confederation.
In 2003, Sam combined this wealth of experience and training into the system known as INPAX®: a practical approach to managing physical conflict in the real world.
In addition to his role as founder and president of INPAX®, Sam is also a faculty member of the Gentile-Meinert & Associates, Inc, Academy of Investigations and Protection; serves as a consultant in stress-inoculation training to Allegheny Singer Research Institute; and provides real-world conflict management training and support to companies, schools and non-profit organizations.
Sam was recently honored by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest, a group of notable business and community leaders. He also received the 2007 Tactical Instructor of the Year award from the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Sam’s first book, entitled INPAX: The Way of the Warrior, was published in 2007, and is available for purchase on most major internet booksellers such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and Borders.com.
Jhon began to train in the martial arts at the age of four under his father, Albert Yonan, himself a lifelong practitioner of Phillipino Martial Arts. Along with his father’s training, he was encouraged to explore different styles of combat Martial Arts throughout the years and to personally determine what was useful. Along this journey, Jhon has studied at some of the most widely recognized centers for Martial Arts, including the Inosanto Academy and the Gracie Academy, and has worked with many inspirational instructors including Guro Dan Roppo, who played an important role in Jhon’s development.
While attending the University of Illinois at Chicago for Exercise Physiology, Jhon worked at the Goldcoast Multiplex as a personal trainer and operations manager. Concurrently, Jhon continued training and competing with a variety of fighters ranging from Mixed Martial Arts to Shotokan. Jhon also worked as a doorman at a handful of bars in the Chicago area, gaining valuable experience in managing real world conflict.
In 2003, Jhon commenced his INPAX® instructor training under Sam Rosenberg. When Jhon found INPAX®, he knew he had found the system he was looking for. Adding the focused methodology for systematically managing conflict that is INPAX®’s hallmark to Jhon’s existing skills and knowledge, Jhon quickly established himself as a valuable member of the INPAX® instructor team.
With INPAX®, all of the training and development he had been working toward coalesced…everything just made more sense. Through INPAX®, he has developed insight on what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t, as well as what his priorities are when dealing with situations on the street. INPAX® has given Jhon confidence in his ability to deal with any situation he encounters.
Specializing in biomechanics, postural distortions, and integrated functional strength training, Jhon also works as a personal trainer and is in the process in publishing a book about increasing performance in combat through functional training. Furthermore, Jhon is pursuing his degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh.
An orthopedic surgeon by profession, Bruce brings his knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to the practice of defensive tactics. Bruce has been an avid student and practitioner of INPAX® personal security training since he began with Sam Rosenberg in 1997.
His enthusiasm, natural teaching ability, life experience, and personable nature make Bruce a valuable addition to the INPAX® team. Bruce primarily runs the Latrobe training division of INPAX®, conducting group and private instruction in the evenings.
Brian has been interested in Martial Arts, Boxing and combative sports since his first boxing lesson as a youth, but his training didn’t become serious until he started training with Sam Rosenberg in 1998.
A disciplined and accomplished athlete, Brian brought an intensity and focus to his study of INPAX® far beyond the norm. Having long ago completed the four primary Tiers of INPAX®’s formal training curriculum, Brian began to specialize in Ground Fighting and mixed martial arts.
Since 2003, Brian has continuously expanded his training horizons, studying with numerous grappling and mixed martial arts experts, and has contributed to the design and development of the INPAX® Tier III: Fundamentals of Ground Fighting curriculum.
Today, Brian serves as INPAX®’s Ground Fighting specialist; teaching group and private lessons in the North Hills region.
James Ali is a fifteen-year veteran of both state and federal law enforcement, and currently serves as an Inspector for the US Postal Service.
James is a certified firearms instructor and Armorer with the Postal Inspection Service, the NRA, and INPAX® Personal Security Training Systems, and has additionally been through numerous elite training courses throughout his career including the FBI’s Sniper-Observer school. He currently trains local, state and federal law enforcement officers including the Emergency Response Team.
Additionally, James assignment to the narcotics division guarantees he’s constantly on the "business" end of room clearing tactics, surveillance, raids and takedowns; bringing a plethora of first-hand, real-world, tactics and feedback to the INPAX® team – helping to ensure the INPAX® curriculum and methods are the best and most practical based on real-life application.
James has been an INPAX® Tactical Firearms Instructor since 2007, and currently conducts group and private firearms instruction, as well as Sim-City Tactical Self Defense Simulation training.
Joe Bellissimo is currently a Postal Inspector and has worked in Federal law enforcement since 1985.
Joe is a certified firearms instructor with the Postal Inspection Service, the NRA, and INPAX® Personal Security Training Systems, and has additionally been through numerous elite training courses throughout his career including: swat training, dynamic building entry, tactical training, and is currently an H&K MP-5 operator. He currently trains local, state and federal law enforcement officers including the Emergency Response Team.
Joe is a certified expert pistol marksman, and has attended the National Tactical Officers Training Course to include training in tactics, mindset and shooting on the move.
Since graduating from Robert Morris University in 1985, Joe has experienced almost all aspects of Federal law enforcement, having worked with the FBI, Department of Defense and The Department of Energy.
In addition to his law enforcement background, Joe has extensive Executive & Dignitary Protection experience, having been through both Basic & Advanced Protection training by the US Secret Service, and having been member of Sam Rosenberg’s Executive Protection Team since 2000.
Joe has been an INPAX® Tactical Firearms Instructor since 2007, and currently conducts group and private firearms instruction, as well as Sim-City Tactical Self Defense Simulation training.
Native to Pittsburgh, PA, Mike has practiced martial arts since 1994, specializing in Filipino Martial Arts and Jeet Kun do, and has been an avid shooter and firearms instructor since 2002.
In 2005, Mike began training formally with Sam Rosenberg and Jhon Yonan at INPAX. In Mike’s words, INPAX training “answered all the questions and doubts that the traditional Martial Arts couldn’t.”
In 2007, Mike earned his Defensive Tactics Instructor certification, and joined the INPAX instructor team. In addition, Mike drew on his firearm experience to become a founding member of the INPAX Tactical Firearm Instructor team.
In addition to his work with INPAX, Mike works as a Direct Support Professional taking care of profound mentally handicapped individuals with great physical disabilities. His naturally caring and patient nature allows him to excel as an instructor.
Currently Mike conducts group and private defensive tactics instruction, tactical firearms instruction, and Sim-City Tactical Self Defense Simulation training.
Eric has been an integral member of the INPAX training cadre since 2004, and serves as our chief technical officer with regard to firearms, and equipment.
With an extensive background as a nationally ranked tactical handgun competitor, executive protection specialist, and law enforcement officer, Eric has the training, real world experience and practical expertise to serve as a key member of the INPAX instructor team.
Eric’s firearm experience includes: certification by the National Rifle Association in Pistol, rifle and shotgun for home security and personal safety; certification as a range safety officer for the United states Practical Shooters Association (USPSA); Certification as a Tactical Carbine instructor through Bushmaster and Blackwater USA; and pistol Master Classification through the International Practical Shooters Confederation (IPSC).
Additionally, Eric has extensive experience in the traditional martial arts, and has been training with Sam Rosenberg and INPAX since 2002, and has served as a member of Sam’s Executive and Dignitary Protection Team since 2003.
Eric currently conducts group and private defensive tactics instruction, tactical firearms instruction, and Sim-City Tactical Self Defense Simulation training.
