Jamie Anderson, Co-Founder and CEO of Weapon Brand and an accomplished advertising veteran, began her career in print media before transitioning to an exciting career in radio. In 2011, she started her own advertising agency (JAMM) that specializes in traditional media such as radio, TV, outdoor, and print.

After gaining extensive experience in advertising, Jamie was eager to embark on a new adventure with Weapon Brand. At Weapon Brand, Jamie has the opportunity to work with individuals, groups, and corporate clients to empower them with confidence-building training in areas such as self-defense, firearms, realtor safety, ride-share driver safety, active shooter response, and many more specialty self-defense classes, all tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Jamie's favorite aspect of her job is working with clients who have special needs through their adaptive training programs. These programs are designed to enable individuals of all "ability" levels to become their OWN WEAPON and learn to protect themselves, their families, and their employees.

During her free time, Jamie indulges in her love for adrenaline-fueled activities. Among her favorites are bungee jumping and white water rafting, which always get her heart pounding. When she's not seeking out thrilling experiences, Jamie likes to unwind by spending time at the beach or out on her boat. She also enjoys networking with the St. Pete Girl Bosses, a group of like-minded women, and exploring new destinations through travel and camping. Lastly, Jamie enjoys spending quality time with her family and attending music festivals to let loose and enjoy great tunes.

Photo by Felicia Henderson

Tara Pendleton started her self-defense journey in 2013 with an afternoon course as a check-off to a bucket list item. Having young children, a husband that traveled, and a job that took her all over the Tampa Bay area – self-defense gave her an outlet and kept her coming back. She also served as a Cobra system self-defense instructor and is now a proud instructor at Weapon Brand.

Not one to shy away from learning something new, Tara is constantly building her knowledge and pushing the limits of what she can accomplish, in the gym or elsewhere.

What to expect from Tara as an instructor: Tara’s easy-going approach puts participants at ease, whether they are learning something new or refreshing their skills. She provides hands-on, real-time feedback and regularly checks in with students to ensure they leave feeling confident about what they have learned.

Weapon Brand Instructor Terry Moore is a RN, licensed massage therapist, health educator and certified personal trainer. She has over 30 years experience training a variety of martial arts including Taekwondo, Shotokan, Fustyle Taichi, Bagua, and Judo. She was a National Champion in Taichi. She was also a NRA instructor and assisted with women’s gun and self defense classes. She also works for Combat Athlete Performance Academy

In healthcare she was an intensive care nurse. She trained critical care nurses and ran multiple community health and wellness programs from giving lectures to leading pulmonary rehab and arthritis exercise classes. Terry led a crisis prevention program for a healthcare system which involved early recognition of dangerous situations, de-escalation of emerging aggressive behaviors and physical control, and personal safety.

Life and her career have taught her that you need to be prepared for any situation. Whether it’s calming a scared and aggressive patient, defending against someone with road rage or surviving an illness like cancer. Her passion is training people to have the confidence, skills, mental resilience, and physical ability to handle the unexpected challenges that life brings.

Chris Hughes, an experienced instructor at Weapon Brand, has a strong background in law enforcement, having worked for the State of Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Canfield Police Department. During his time in law enforcement, he received extensive training and certification in defensive tactics, subject control, and firearms handling.

In addition to his background in law enforcement, Chris is also a certified personal trainer with a specialization in Exercise Therapy. With his expertise in both fitness and self-defense, he is uniquely qualified to provide clients with customized training programs that not only help them achieve their fitness goals but also teach them valuable self-defense skills.

At Weapon Brand, Chris is dedicated to empowering his clients to become their own first line of defense through confidence-building training programs. Whether he is teaching a self-defense class or leading a fitness session at Combat Athlete Performance Academy, Chris is passionate about helping his clients unlock their full potential and reach their personal goals.

Amanda Purdin is a highly skilled instructor specializing in the medical field for Weapon Brand. With a diverse background and extensive experience in various areas, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Prior to her career as an instructor, Amanda dedicated 15 years of service to the state of Ohio as a correction officer. During this time, she honed her teaching skills by instructing self-defense techniques, firearms training, and response to sexual violence and rape prevention. Her passion for empowering others led her to become an instructor trainer for self-defense, allowing her to train and mentor future instructors in this vital field.

In addition to her work in law enforcement, Amanda has been involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2004 and has been teaching the discipline for over 15 years. Her deep understanding of martial arts and self-defense techniques has been instrumental in shaping her teaching style and equipping individuals with practical skills to protect themselves.

In 2012, Amanda made a career transition and pursued nursing school. Despite shifting her focus, she remained committed to teaching self-defense and working with victims of domestic violence and rape. Her dedication to community safety extends beyond physical self-defense as she actively educates parents on keeping their children safe both in the physical realm and online.

With a passion for providing holistic care, Amanda is a certified dementia practitioner (CDP) with over 12 years of experience working with individuals living with dementia. Her expertise includes deescalation techniques, which she has effectively applied during her time working in behavioral health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) units. Amanda has also served on deescalation and emergency response teams, showcasing her ability to navigate high-stress situations and maintain a calm and composed demeanor.

Amanda Purdin's multifaceted background and unwavering commitment to education and community safety make her a valuable asset as an instructor for Weapon Brand. Through her dynamic teaching methods and diverse skill set, she aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the medical field and beyond.

Anna Maria Kovats, or Anna as she prefers, is a distinguished Certified Firearms Instructor at Weapon Brand's mid-west training academy in Ohio, bringing over ten years of dedicated experience in customer service and safety training to her role. Anna’s expertise in firearms training is accredited through the USCCA, where she achieved her certification, underscoring her commitment to teaching and safety.

Her role at Weapon Brand allows her to fulfill her passion for empowering individuals and groups through comprehensive firearms education, focusing on safety, proper handling, and defensive shooting techniques. She'll be teaching our Weapons Safety and Fundamentals class (called Got a Gun...Now What), Weapons Retention, Concealed Carry classes and empowering students at the range for precision and accuracy training.

Anna's approach to instruction is informed by her broad background, including her work in critical care environments and her experience as a certified Tour Director, which enhances her ability to deliver structured, engaging, and informative training sessions.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Anna’s enthusiasm extends into her personal interests where she enjoys outdoor adventures and cultural events like Comic Con (she's a self-proclaimed big time nerd). Recently engaged, Anna's personal life reflects her adventurous spirit, highlighted by a memorable proposal in front of the "Lord of the Rings" cast!

At Weapon Brand, Anna is dedicated to ensuring that every trainee not only learns the essentials of firearm safety but also gains the confidence to handle firearms responsibly.

Dylan Brieck is a seasoned expert in firearms instruction and training, particularly for law enforcement. At 29 years old, Dylan has a rich background in the military. He served five years in the United States Marine Corps and another seven years in the United States Army Special Forces.

During his time in the Army, Dylan was involved in many important missions and was responsible for training hundreds of soldiers and foreign military personnel. His team specialized in various skills, such as close combat, concealed carry tactics, small unit tactics, and urban movement tactics. Dylan also has extensive experience in logistics, ensuring all necessary supplies and equipment were available for successful operations.

Currently, Dylan is pursuing an Associate's Degree in the Science and Technology of Firearms from Sonoran Desert Institute, with plans to attend the Pennsylvania Gunsmithing Institute to eventually open a repair services shop.

Dylan is passionate about teaching and shooting, especially with pistols. He is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and skills with the community, helping individuals learn how to safely handle firearms and use them for self-defense. He enjoys spending time with his wife Mariah and their three children, Eden, Ajax, and Stella. Raised in Beaver County, PA, he currently resides in Industry, PA.

Dylan is eager to serve the community through Weapon Brand, providing valuable training to help others protect themselves and their loved ones.

United States Marine Corps (5 years)

3432 Finance Technician

United States Army Special Operations

Forces (7 years)

18C Engineer Sergeant, 5th Special Forces Group
Direct Action Team Member

Non-standard Mobility Team Member

Specializations

Close Quarters Battle (CQB)

Concealed Carry Tactics

Small Unit Tactics

Urban Movement Tactics

Long Distance Mobility

Special Reconnaissance

Controlled Demolitions

Logistics & Property Management

Advanced Skills Operator

Master Driver

Primary Breacher (Ballistic, Mechanical, Explosive)

Kevin Baker brings a lifelong dedication to self-defense and personal safety, encompassing a diverse range of disciplines. Starting with competitive wrestling in high school and college, Kevin built a foundation that would support his career-long commitment to personal protection. For over two decades, he worked in the heart of New York City, traveling extensively across the U.S. and encountering various safety challenges, from road rage to direct personal threats—a common reality in today’s fast-paced world.

To deepen his expertise, Kevin devoted seven years to mastering Isshinryu, a traditional Japanese martial art, achieving a second-degree black belt. His training has since expanded to include boxing and practical self-defense tactics essential for everyday protection. Though now retired, Kevin’s dedication remains steadfast. He continues honing his skills as a certified instructor with the United States Concealed Carry Association and Weapon Brand.

Passionate about empowering others, Kevin is committed to fostering threat awareness and equipping individuals with the tools to become their own weapon.