Owner – MSG (Ret) Howard “Mad Max” Mullen
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Howard “Mad Max” Mullen, a 26 year United States Army veteran, is known as one of the most dynamic Rangers to ever serve in the US Army. Beginning in 1979, Mullen served with the elite fighting force group through the decade and into the mid-1990s. During “Operation Urgent Fury” on October 25, 1983, Mullen conducted a 500ft combat parachute assault on the island of Grenada. He has over 250 static line airborne jumps.
Known to most as “Mad Max” Mullen for his bold, motivating, and aggressive leadership style the three time Ranger Instructor of the cycle, has trained, served with, and mentored some of the who’s who in Special Operations.
Highly decorated, MSG Mullen has served with:
- 75th Ranger Regimental Headquarters
- A Co 1st Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment
- B Co 2nd Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment
- C Co 3rd Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment
- Charlie Company 4th Ranger Training Battalion
- 3rd Ranger Company “Morgan Team”
- HHC 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Air Assault) “The Rock”, 2nd Infantry Division
- A Co 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment “The Rock”, 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
- HHC 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment “Rakkasans”, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
MSG Mullen is also well known and respected in the mil-sim community and has participated in some of the largest mil-sim events in the US. His experience bridges the gap from real-world military and law enforcement to the tactical mil-sim community. In addition, Mullen has appeared in movies, books, magazines, commercials, and national print ads, as well as public speaking engagements.
Executive Officer – Mark Anderson
As a tactical instructor, and avid mil-sim event organizer, Mark has developed courses to promoting various training solutions for close quarter scenarios. Mark also has a professional background in internet programming, graphic design and marketing.
In his spare time Mark works as a movie consultant supplying military weapons, vehicles and consulting for movie the industry. Mark has worked on projects for the BBC, Valley of Elah, Farewell Darkness, and others.
Mark is currently trains with a wilderness search & rescue organization as a tracker and an emergency medical technician.
Mark’s “Can Do” attitude keeps him always on the prowl for more training, knowledge, and resources.
Director of Advertising – John Mirarchi
John is currently forty two years old and started his law enforcement career in his early twenties. Recently retired, John has an extensive background in criminal justice and business administration. During his law enforcement career, John instructed numerous tactical law enforcement courses. He also worked in investigations, S.E.T., administration, range master/department armorer, and served as lead security consultant for special events. John is a court recognized firearms expert and has consulted on TV and media projects.
In John’s leisure time, he enjoys off-roading, camping, shooting sports, teaching others to shoot, and he training in Tae Kwon Do with his son. He is also an avid mil-sim enthusiast and history buff.
Director of Sales – Paul Pawela
Paul is an American Christian and a nationally recognized trainer/ subject matter expert on military, police and security related issues. Paul retired from the 10th Special Forces Group with over 1000 static line and military free fall jumps and is a SOCOM hand to hand combat instructor. Paul is also a graduate of three different police academies and has served as a police officer in three different states. He currently works as an Adjunct Instructor for several nationally recognized training schools such as Lethal Force Institute, Defensive Training Inc, American Small Arms Academy, RedMan and ARMA.
Paul is a Graduate of the FBI Hostage Negotiation School, Smith&Wesson, H&K, SIG Arms Academy, NRA Police Fire Arms Instructor Schools as well as a graduate from ten different national shooting schools. With over 35 years of martial Arts experience, certified as a instructor in Jeet Kune Do and Kali, Paul is also recognized as one of the foremost knife Instructors in the country. Paul has served both in the military and law enforcement as a SRT Team Leader and is a certified Personal Protection Specialist and licensed Private Investigator.
Paul has written for Police, Concealed Carry, Combat Handguns, SWAT, GLOCK, Black Belt and many other self defense publications. Paul is the collaborator for Paladin Press The Special Operations Tactical Interdiction Sniper Manual and Tactical Response Solutions Extreme Russian Combat DVD staring Yelena Pawela.
Director of Marketing – Toni Anderson
Toni Anderson is an experienced Internet Marketing and SEO strategist who has been helping clients build positive online presences and reputations since 1998. She has over 10 years of experience in digital marketing, site optimization, project management, consulting and web design. In other words she makes it possible for people to find our site.
Senior Video Editor – Donnie Tyler
Donnie, also known as “Cowboy” to the TACSIM staff for his unconventional ways, is currently still actively serving in the U.S. military as an instructor of weapons handling, shooting tactics and techniques, and CAS (Close Air Support) planning and execution.
Donnie has been decorated for Valor for actions on the battlefield and brings tons of experience in the real tactical world.
Senior Editor – Don Roff
Don Roff entered the 3rd Ranger Battalion in Fort Benning, GA on October 1989 as an RTO (radio-transmitter operator). Within two months, he fought along with his fellow Rangers at Rio Hato during the invasion of Panama, Operation Just Cause. Originally attached to HHC Company, Roff soon transferred to Charlie Company. He participated in various simulated and live-fire exercises at the JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) in Fort Polk, LA and the JOTC (Jungle Operations Training Center) in Panama, along with Mad Max.
After Don left the US Army in March 1993, he authored eight books, including Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection by Chronicle Books. Also an award-winning screenwriter, he has a handful of film projects in development, one inspired by his experience with the US Rangers.
A weapons and martial arts aficionado for most of his life, Roff brings real-world combat experience and authenticity to the TacSim community.
Senior Layout Editor – Denny Fry
Denny Fry comes to the TacSim Team with over 10 years of journalism experience.
Writing for several national outlets eventually landed him in a print house where he spent several years laying out and designing pages for publications. While working in a local print house in St. Louis, MO, Denny was introduced to the fast-paced mil-sim events. It quickly became his passion and after 8 years of playing on a national circuit, Denny crossed paths with Mad Max.
Within a few minutes of discussion with Max, Denny was brought on board and has been writing and working with the layout of the magazine ever since.
Senior Photographer – Robert Ochoa
Robert Ochoa has been an apparel and shoe graphic designer for almost 15 years. His creative ability allows him to think outside the box and bring an edgy twist to all his designs. Not only does Robert design but he studies photography allowing him to encompass various areas of art. Robert is excited to unleash his design capabilities for TacSim and photograph for the west side.
