Homeland Security expert invited to address Mountain Movers and Shakers

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Dr. W. George Gaines, Director of Open Enrollment at Israel Military Industries (IMI) Florida Academy for Advanced Homeland Security, is scheduled to address the Mountain Movers & Shakers Friday, Aug. 16, at 8 a.m. at Sundance Grill in Hiawassee. Meetings are open to the public.

“The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Caveat: Good guys need to be trained to use those guns,” Mark Wolchko, a spokesman for Mountain Movers & Shakers, said. “(Gaines) will speak to us about how Israeli Training is having an impact on U.S. law enforcement and civilians.”

IMI Florida Academy is an affiliate of Israel’s IMI Systems Advanced Homeland Security Academy, recognized worldwide as the leading provider of Homeland Security for integrated training solutions to combat terrorism.

Established in 1999 by veterans of the Israeli security forces, IMI Academy is a subsidiary of Israel Military Industries Ltd., a government-owned company. Like its parent, IMI Florida Academy offers advanced training to law enforcement, military, and security industry professionals by enhancing the human factor through methods and skills derived from the Israeli Military and Homeland Security Experience. IMI Florida Academy offers state-of-the-art training to law enforcement through NCJA.

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, fifteen members of U.S. Security agencies and police departments travelled to Israel in September 2015 to engage in counter-terrorism training sessions, led by Israeli counter-terrorism officers. The trip was sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, and according to the organization’s director, the participants, “learn[ed] lessons from Israel in terms of tactics and strategies and the evolution of terrorism.” Officials hailing from the U.S. Marshalls Service, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as the Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Seattle, Oakland and Miami-Dade police departments, participated in this training exercise. A diverse group of 52 law enforcement officers from 12 U.S. states visited Israel and participated in joing training sessions with their Israeli counterparts during September 2017.  This program, known as the Police Unity Tour, has been held periodically since 1997.

Dr. Gaines holds an impressive list of additional creditials, including:

• American Red Cross
  • Adult First Aid, CPR, AED #0Y14MN
• NRA Credentials #190369292
  • Certified Home Firearm Safety Instructor
  • Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
  • Certified Refuse To Be A Victim® Instructor
  • Recruiter #XI030621
  • Personal & Professional Instructor Liability Insurance # 1210024043
• State Credentials #190369292
  • Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License #WX1237800
  • Florida-Approved CCW Instructor FL s. 790.06
  • North Carolina Concealed Pistol Permit #1141268
  • North Carolina Justice Academy Certified CCP Instructor #0081-6013
• USCCA Credentials #190369292
  • Certified Instructor
  • Certified Training Counselor
  • Certified Women’s Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals
• US Gun Class Certified Instructor

Memberships & Honors

• Chatuge Gun Club Member
• Florida Carry Sustaining Member
• Florida Firearms Academy Member
• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Active Member
• Mountain Rod & Gun Club Member
• NRA Life & Endowment Member
• NRA Golden Eagles Member
• NRA National Patriots Medal
• Union County Gun Club Member
• USCCA Platinum Member

Firearms Experience

• First Firearm, .22LR Mossberg bolt action rifle, Age 14
• Carried Firearm Since 1968
• Competitive NRA Bullseye Shooter
• NRA Pistol Marksmanship Simulator Course
• Florida Firearms Academy, Rapid Draw Class
• FrontSight (Nevada) Defensive Handgun Course
• Stopping Active Threats – The Israeli Experience, Honors Graduate
• IMI Florida Academy Seminars, Chief Range Safety Officer

Formal Education

• B.A., University of Alabama, 1965
• M.A., Atlanta University, 1969
• Ed.D., University of Georgia, 1971

Previous Teaching Experience

• Florida, Georgia Secondary Public Schools, 1965 – 1969
• University of Georgia, Teaching Assistant, 1969 – 1971
• University of Georgia, Supervisor of Student Teachers, 1969 – 1971
• University of New Orleans, Associate Professor of Education, 1971 – 1976
• Louisiana State University Medical Center, Coordinator of Instructional Services, 1973 – 1976
• Conducted Professional Educator Workshops at Numerous Colleges & Universities, 1976 – 1982
• Directed and Mentored Junior Staff in Private Industry, 1983 – 2013
• University of Florida, College of Business, Visiting Professor, 2011 – 2013
• University of Central Florida, College of Business, Visiting Lecturer, 2012 – 2015