Corsair Tactical Solutions
Meet Our Instructors
Every Corsair instructor is a credentialed professional — veterans, Texas DPS-licensed trainers, and community safety experts with decades of real-world experience.
20+
Years of Experience
4
Certified Instructors
500+
Students Trained
5.0
Star Rating
Leadership & Training Team
Certified. Experienced. Committed.
Our instructors hold active Texas DPS certifications, federal credentials, and real-world operational backgrounds — so every class is taught by someone who has been there.
Steve Hopwood
Founder & Lead Instructor
U.S. Navy veteran and Texas DPS-certified instructor with 20+ years of security and training experience. Steve founded Corsair to bring military-grade professionalism to the Texas private security industry.
Certifications & Qualifications
- U.S. Navy Veteran — 20 Years
- Texas DPS-Certified Instructor
- Licensed LTC Instructor
- USCCA Certified Trainer — Home Defense Fundamentals
- NRA Certified Instructor
- Private Investigator
- US Law Shield Instructor
- Armed First Responder / Tactical Medic Instructor
Hilton Jackson
Vice President of Operations
Hilton Jackson is the founder and owner of Gideon Training Solutions and Co-Chair of The Alliance Training Team. A certified USCCA and NRA instructor with a Texas DPS LTC license, Hilton brings a comprehensive background in personal protection, church security, and community safety education — including his partnership with Cook Children's Aim for Safety program. TWIC approved and licensed for security operations delivered in partnership with Corsair Tactical Solutions.
Certifications & Qualifications
- USCCA Certified Trainer — Home Defense Fundamentals
- NRA Certified Instructor — Pistol
- Texas DPS LTC Instructor
- USCCA Certified Range Safety Officer
- US Law Shield Instructor #USLS-1373-19909
- Texas Security Officer Level II, III, IV
- Texas Private Investigator #166431701
- TWIC Approved Credentials
- Co-Chair — Aim for Safety, Cook Children's
Dr. Casilda Maxwell
Instructor, The Alliance Training Team
Dr. Casilda Maxwell brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the Corsair training team, combining academic expertise with real-world security and defense knowledge.
Certifications & Qualifications
- Doctorate — Academic & Security Expertise
- Texas DPS-Certified Instructor
- Low-Key Defense — Founder & Lead Instructor
- Certified Firearms & Personal Defense Trainer
- Scenario-Based & Situational Awareness Training
Shannon Gulley
Instructor
Shannon Gulley is a certified instructor and valued member of the Corsair Tactical Solutions training team, bringing professional expertise and dedication to every course she leads.
Certifications & Qualifications
- Certified Firearms Instructor
- Texas DPS-Certified Security Instructor
- Personal Defense & Safety Training
- Church & School Safety Specialist
Why It Matters
Training You Can Trust
Texas DPS Licensed
All instructors hold active Texas DPS certifications for security and firearms instruction.
USCCA & NRA Certified
Nationally recognized certifications from USCCA and the NRA back every course we teach.
Real-World Experience
Military service, law enforcement support, and private security operations — not just classroom theory.
Community Focused
From church safety to school security, our instructors are embedded in the communities they protect.
Ready to Train With the Best?
Browse our full course catalog and register for an upcoming class led by our certified instructors.