Dave is a former United States Air Force (USAF) security policeman, honorably retired California Highway Patrol (CHP) Lieutenant and honorably retired Ventura County District Attorney Investigator with 36 total years of training, investigative and teaching experience.  As a currently certified Active Shooter | Active Attack instructor and CA Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Firearms and Use of Force instructor, Dave provides in-depth training to schools, churches, non-profit organizations, businesses and government entities in the areas of Active Attack / Active Shooter, mass violence prevention planning, response and threat mitigation. Involved in two (2) active shooter / active attack events in Los Angeles, Dave marries his personal experience of police and civilian responses, and the lessons learned from these incidents, along with current tactics and lessons learned from numerous case studies and expert analysis reports.  Dave has formal instructor certifications, experience and training in dignitary protection, site vulnerability studies, emergency action plans, and CPR/First Aid/AED training. Dave has provided training, guidance, and planning in these areas to police departments, state, county, and local government agencies, along with schools, churches and businesses. Dave has been instructing law enforcement personnel in firearms training, handling and certifications for over 22 years.  Dave is also a certified Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) trainer for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department (VCSD), certifying residents of Ventura County since 2019. Dave holds both a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Criminal Justice. 

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Vanessa began her 17 year law enforcement career as a Public Safety Dispatcher with the California Highway Patrol and eventually transitioned to a CSU Police Department. Vanessa brings to Critical Advantage a unique perspective as a professionally trained communicator due to her many years of dispatch experience, as well as a specialty in bridging the gap of communication and understanding between the public and law enforcement professionals.

During their careers in law enforcement, both Vanessa and Dave experienced firsthand the incredible stressors that come from a career as law enforcement professionals.  As a result, Vanessa and Dave became passionate about pursing financial and emotional wellness.  Vanessa went on to complete her Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in Financial Coaching and endeavors to help others, especially first responders, create their own strategic plans for financial and emotional success and peace. Vanessa and Dave are CA POST Certified Academy Instructors. They currently teach new recruits a portion of the Officer Wellness Learning Domain, specifically related to Financial Wellness, at the Ventura County Justice Training Center.

Prior to her law enforcement career Vanessa worked in the capacity of a certified bookkeeper and business manager. Vanessa has also served the public within city government in her roles as a City Clerk and Executive Assistant to both the City Engineer and City Manager. Vanessa serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Critical Advantage Consulting, Inc.