2025 PPC Board of Directors
Pima Pistol Club is governed by an elected Board of Directors. The Club President collaborates closely with the Range Manager to oversee daily range operations.
​
This page provides information and statements from the winners of the 2025 Pima Pistol Club Board of Directors election. Use it to learn more about the individuals seeking to guide our organization.
Click here for more information about Pima Pistol Club Bylaws and Elections.
2025 PPC President
Duties of the PPC President
The President shall preside over all meetings of PPC. The President may appoint committees as he/she sees fit and shall do so if instructed by the BOD. The President shall be responsible for the agenda of the Regular Monthly Meetings as approved by the BOD. In the absence of the Treasurer and Vice-President, and with the Treasurer’s permission, the President shall be the third signatory on the PPC checking account for purchases approved by the BOD. The President shall perform other duties as specified in the Bylaws.
.jpg)
Jeff Shi
My name is Jeff Shi, and I am running for President of the Pima Pistol Club (PPC). As the current Vice President and former At-Large Director, I have been deeply involved in improving the welfare of our club and driving numerous beneficial changes for our members. I am running as part of a dedicated team to continue representing the interests of all PPC members, from recreational shooters to serious competitors.
​
During my tenure, my fellow team members and I have accomplished the following:
-
Enabled virtual attendance for board meetings and electronic voting for bylaw changes, increasing member participation.
-
Significantly upgraded our aging club infrastructure, including essential physical and IT upgrades, greatly enhancing member experience.
-
Hired a talented Range Manager who successfully oversaw operations, managed range improvements, and processed new user groups, bringing additional income to the club.
-
Overcame significant challenges with insurance and Pima County Flood Control.
-
Brought in a variety of firearms and self-defense instructors to teach at PPC.
As members, you deserve a President who prioritizes our community. As a board member, I have consistently championed a customer-focused mindset. On numerous occasions, I have staunchly advocated for our members and patrons, personally driving
the resolution of member complaints. Whenever I am at the range, I dedicate time to personally thank our staff for their hard work and our members for choosing PPC for their practice and training needs. As President, my goal is to continue building our club’s reputation and expand our footprint as the premier shooting venue in Southern Arizona. My top priorities for the club in 2025 include:
​
-
Finding creative methods to increase club revenue and balance club budget, such as hosting more training courses and state-level matches.
-
Exploring practical ways to increase the availability of member-only bays.
-
Continuously driving common-sense improvements to our range rules.
-
Providing adequate support for all our matches.
-
Ensuring we hire and retain staff who vigilantly keep our members safe while demonstrating excellent professionalism and customer service.
-
Finding creative methods to increase club revenue and balance club budget, such as hosting more training courses and state-level matches.
-
Expanding opportunities for youth shooters.
-
Building a coalition with state-level 2nd Amendment organizations and local industry partners to promote 2A awareness and education.
Service and Experience:
United States Air Force Veteran, Type 03 FFL holder (Curio and Relics), USPSA and Steel Challenge A-Class competitor, Rangemaster certified handgun instructor, NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer & Pistol Instructor, 12 years of experience in project management and corporate leadership, 9-year PPC member, and Life member of Arizona Citizens Defense League, NRA, and Second Amendment Foundation
For more details on my platform, please visit this link: https://sites.google.com/view/jeff-shi-for-pima-pistol-club-/
Endorsements:
I proudly endorse and am endorsed by candidates TJ Kenney, Chelsi Remme, Greg Guertin, Lorin Jacobson, Chuck Philpot, Karl Hannestad (Steel Challenge Match Director), Erik Saldana (USPSA Match Director), and Mark Laster. Additionally, I am endorsed by Steve Caffrey (Action Pistol Match Director) and Ben Anderson (PPC Member and owner of Diamondback Shooting Sports).
2025 PPC Vice President
Duties of the PPC Vice President
The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her request. In the absence of the Treasurer and with the Treasurer’s permission the Vice-President shall be the second signatory on the PPC checking account, for purchases approved by the BOD. The Vice-President shall perform other duties as specified in these Bylaws.
T J Kenney
I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for a seat on the board of directors. I have been a member of Pima Pistol Club since late 2018 and have a background as a veteran of the U.S. Army Special Operations community and previous service spending 3 years as a club Range Safety Officer, I bring a unique blend of experience, dedication, and expertise to this pivotal role.
During my time as a member of Pima Pistol Club, I have demonstrated my commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming shooting environment for all members. I am dedicated to upholding and enhancing the club's appeal for prospective members while improving the experience for existing members. My passion for shooting extends beyond my military service. I am an active participant in various shooting sports, including USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge, and 2/3 gun competitions. These experiences have provided me with valuable insights into the needs and expectations of our club's competitive shooters.
I have a clear vision for the future of Pima Pistol Club:
​​
-
Growth: I am committed to increasing range utilization, with a particular focus on attracting military and law enforcement personnel. Their expertise and dedication can enrich our club and foster a sense of camaraderie among members as well as providing financial growth. ​
​
-
Range Utilization Management: I will work diligently to optimize the use of our facilities, balancing the needs of both regular members and competition shooters. Efficient range management ensures that everyone can enjoy the benefits of our club.
​
-
Competition Support: As an active competitor in various shooting disciplines, I understand the requirements and expectations of our competitive shooters. I will strive to create an environment where they can excel and continually improve.
I am excited to collaborate with fellow board members, club members, and the broader community to make these goals a reality. Together, we can ensure the clubs continued growth and success. Your support would be invaluable to me on this journey, and I am eager to contribute my skills and experiences to the benefit of our club and its members. Thank you for considering me as a candidate for the board of directors.
2025 PPC Secretary
Duties of the PPC Secretary
The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence of PPC. The Secretary shall keep a formal and true record of the minutes of all meetings held by the BOD. The Secretary, with the assistance of the Administrator, shall have custody or access to all previous books, papers or electronic records except those of the Treasurer. The Secretary, with the assistance of the PPC Administrator, shall be responsible for the true record of applications for membership to PPC. The Secretary, with the assistance of the PPC Administrator, shall be responsible for the collection of all fees and dues and shall remit the same to the Treasurer. The Secretary, with the assistance of the PPC Administrator, shall notify all members of meetings as scheduled by the President. The Secretary shall confirm the eligibility for membership and BOD election. The Secretary shall finalize the ballot for the BOD election. The Secretary shall provide a current list of members who are eligible to vote to the Ballot Committee. The Secretary shall keep a current copy of all contracts entered into by PPC. Many of the records that the Secretary is in charge of will be kept in the administration office and filed by the PPC Administrator as defined in Article VII, Section 7, number 6 of the PPC Bylaws.
Greg Guertin
I have lived in Tucson since moving here in 2014, and Pima Pistol Club is the place I discovered my love for competitive shooting, and I am running for the Secretary because I love Pima Pistol Club, and feel like that as an organization and feel like I can continue to do more for our membership and the greater Tucson community by making Pima Pistol Club Arizona’s premier location for the shooting sports! Pima Pistol Club is an organization with a robust and diverse group of members compromising recreational, competitive and educational shooters from all skill levels and walks of life, but regardless of our individual backgrounds, we all share a common interest– a love of the shooting sports!
​
All to often now, our community finds our enjoyment for shooting being challenged by outside influences, and I believe that best way to address these challenges is by encouraging the growth of shooting activities and sports, and doing so with an emphasis on education and safety. This serves to the knowledge, safe handling, marksmanship and enjoyment of firearms for our members and our community.I believe Pima Pistol Club can be promoted and developed into a name, and club, that is spoken of by sportsmen, enthusiasts, trainers, and industry professionals alike. The future of PPC lies in the voices of its diverse membership who all share these common beliefs of honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and patriotism.
As a current member of the Board of Directors I was the driving force behind implementing virtual meetings in order to allow members greater access to the board and better transparency in our operations. It is this same commitment to honesty and transparency that has motivated me to run for the position of secretary.
As a 19-year veteran of the US Air Force, and current member of the Arizona National Guard, I have spent years serving my country, and I want to continue to serve you, my fellow members of Pima Pistol Club! Please consider me for a position as Secretary in this year’s elections, and together we can strengthen and grow Pima Pistol Club, and our love of the shooting sports for generations to come!
2025 PPC Treasurer
Duties of the PPC Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge of all money, accounts and financial records of PPC and be responsible for depositing the same in PPC bank accounts as approved by the BOD. The Treasurer shall be primary signatory on the PPC checking account for purchases approved by the BOD. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all transactions and render a detailed report, with vouchers at the Regular Monthly Meeting, when requested by the BOD and the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer, with the help of the BOD, will prepare an annual budget for the new fiscal year, which shall be presented at the at the Regular Monthly Meeting one month prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year. The budget will determine the dues, fees, regular expenses and capital improvement expenses for the next fiscal year that will provide for a balanced budget. The BOD, at the Regular Monthly Meeting before the fiscal year starts, will vote and approve the budget. The Treasurer shall be capable of becoming bonded. The Treasurer will work with the PPC Administrator, contracted bookkeeper and contracted accountant to ensure all club transactions and records are in order and available for review.
.jpg)
Chelsi Remme
Service & Experience: 2023 Pima Pistol Club Treasurer, two consecutive terms as Pima Pistol Club Secretary, Civil Engineer, Armed Women of America (AWA) Chapter Leader
Hello Members - My name is Chelsi Remme and I have been a member of Pima Pistol Club since 2015. For the past year I have served as PPC Treasurer, for the previous two years I served as the Secretary of the Club and I am now running for the position of Treasurer. I am a civil engineer and I am looking forward to providing my skill and expertise in evaluating projects for the Club.
I am also a Chapter Leader of Armed Women of America (AWA) Shooting Chapter (a woman’s shooting club) which meets monthly at Pima Pistol Club.
I am asking for your vote so that I can continue to be a part of Pima Pistol Club’s leadership and to serve the best interests of all our members.
2025 PPC Directors (aka Members at Large)
Duties of the PPC Director
Directors shall attend all meetings of PPC unless excused. They shall make themselves knowledgeable of the activities of PPC. Directors shall make themselves available to the general membership for assistance, as may be necessary, and shall act in the general best interest of PPC. Directors shall assist with the preparation of the budget and any committees formed at the direction of the BOD.
Karl Hannestad
Service & Experience: PPC Steel Challenge Match Director, Shooting Sports Competitor, Engineer, Hunter, Fisherman, Underwater Photographer, avid 2nd Amendment Supporter.
I am asking for your support to continue my service as an at large board member for Pima Pistol Club. I am a retired engineer that was involved in development for defense electronics and communications products and was an early developer of WiFi. I am an avid sailor, scuba diver and underwater photographer, and of course shooter. I am the current match director for the Steel Challenge Match at Pima and shooter in the Rimfire, Action Pistol and IDPA matches. I want to see Pima Pistol Club continue to provide the finest, safest shooting experience possible.
Lorin Jacobson
Lorin developed a passion for the sport of shooting and competition starting in 2022. Since then, she has been active in her training and developing her competitive sport skill. She is also a certified USPSA Range Officer. She has lived in Arizona for 25 years and been a Pima Pistol member since 2022. Lorin Jacobson is the Owner and General Contractor of Jacobson Custom Homes in Tucson Arizona. Lorin has been in construction since 1990 and owned her own business since 2008. Jacobson Custom Homes has a passion for excellence in design and craftsmanship with builds throughout Southern Arizona. From her background as a business owner, she has the skills and knowledge that are needed to be an active board member for Pima Pistol. She welcomes the opportunity to be part of the Board.
Mark Laster
For those who don’t know me, my name is Mark Laster. I have been the Director of Operations for Purcell Tire with direct responsibility over multiple locations in three states, as well as General Manager of Purcell Tire here is Tucson for almost 20 years. In a nut shell I currently manage a large, and very successful commercial tire dealership doing in excess of $13 million dollars in sales annually in my Tucson location alone. To say I have an extensive back ground in both sales and operations management would be an understatement.
My passion for firearms started at a very young age and I have been an avid gun collector since long before I was actually old enough to do so. In my adult life I have always enjoyed shooting competitively, either on my own with IPSC in Ca. or with my children who all grew up shooting Trap, Skeet, in S.C.T.P. (Scholastic Clay Target Program) here in Az. I have been certified by Az game and fish and NRA as a youth Shotgun instructor, as well as an IDPA CSO. I also currently serve on Pima Pistol Club BOD as a member at large. and its members.
I started shooting at Pima pistol club about five years ago and got my first exposure to IDPA. I instantly fell in love with both the sport and amazing people I met that I now am honored to call friends. I am very passionate about the few things in life that actually bring me joy. These are my wife and family, God, and Guns. I take great pride in being supportive of the club and shoot every match I can.
Over the past few years, mine, and my Wife’s Businesses both, have become staple contributors and sponsors of multiple local as well as regional IDPA matches in multiple states. Quite frankly, I’m not just opinionated, I actually put my money where my mouth is.My goal is to help make Pima Pistol one of the best competitive shooting facilities in the state. This would require creating a facility, environment and shooting experience worthy of attracting the level of competitors needed to achieve this goal. Truly making PPC a destination level club, with events capable of creating a following that people look forward to attending annually, not unlike a Cameo or Ben Avery.
I am a realist, and absolutely understand some of the financial differences in the operation mentioned above. Again, as a professional businessman this is my space. I have a keen awareness of budget realities, and yet have a proven track record of creating exponential growth, that is both profitable, and sustainable.
I would be honored to be considered for an opportunity to continue to serve PPC.
Charles Philpot
Greetings Pima Pistol Club Members,
My name is Charles Philpot, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for a position on the Pima Pistol Club Board of Directors. With a profound passion for the sport and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging environment, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of our club.
​
Having been a member of the Pima Pistol Club for approximately 15 years, I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of our community and the invaluable relationships that are forged through our shared love for shooting sports. Over the years, I have served on the Board of Directors in 2015, 2016, and again in 2024. My previous experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the operational facets of our club and the dedication required to create a thriving environment for all members.
In addition to my board service, I have had the privilege of acting as a match director for several competitive shooting events, including USPSA, Steel Challenge, Steel Workers, and the PCSL 2-Gun competitions. These roles have honed my organizational and leadership skills, allowing me to effectively coordinate events that not only challenge participants but also foster camaraderie among all involved. I take great pride in promoting a culture of safety, respect, and sportsmanship at every event I oversee.​
As I seek to serve on the Board of Directors once more, my vision for the Pima Pistol Club centers around engaging with our diverse membership. I believe that the input and feedback of our members are crucial in shaping the future of our club. I am committed to listening to your ideas and concerns and ensuring that every voice is heard. Together, we can develop programs and initiatives that enhance our shooting range, appealing to both seasoned marksmen and newcomers alike.
I am particularly passionate about expanding training opportunities, increasing community outreach, and enhancing our facilities to ensure that we remain the premier shooting range in southern Arizona. My experience, dedication, and collaborative spirit will enable me to work harmoniously with fellow board members and management to implement positive changes for our club.Thank you for considering my candidacy.
I look forward to the opportunity to work together to make Pima Pistol Club not just a place to shoot, but a thriving community where we can all grow learn, and enjoy the sport we love.
.jpg)
Erik Saldana
My name is Erik Saldana, and my journey has been an exciting blend of construction, telecommunications, and a deep passion for shooting sports. I began my professional career in 1990 by working for my father’s grocery store remodeling company. While running a construction crew and attending Yuba College, I participated in track and field for two years. After transferring to Sacramento State, I switched gears and rode on the crew team for another two years. ​After a motorcycle accident cut short my college years, I joined Pacific Bell in 1996, starting in collections and quickly advancing to lead trainer. By 1998, I shifted to cable splicing and became head of the Digital Electronics Group, overseeing telecommunications equipment maintenance for commercial, government, and residential agencies.
From 2010 to 2022, I specialized in fiber optics and copper plant splicing across California and Nevada, managing repairs and infrastructure relocations. After 26 years, I retired, proud of my impact on the telecommunications field.
Beyond corporate life, I owned a bicycle shop for six years and, from 2016 to 2021, ran a coffee roasting business, selling both online and locally.​
​
Alongside this, shooting has been a significant part of my life for over 20 years. For the last three years, I’ve been actively competing in USPSA, serving as a Range Officer and working my way into the role of Match Director at Pima Pistol Club in Tucson, where I have lived for a little over a year. I’ve enjoyed being involved with various local matches from the beginning and have helped run numerous Level 2 matches in California. I’m grateful to be part of a strong network of shooting friends, many of whom are also Match Directors.As Match Director at Pima Pistol Club, I’m committed to preserving the club's rich tradition while bringing improved matches to our community.
My goal is to create a positive view of firearms, encouraging more people, especially the youth, to engage in shooting sports. I want to extend my gratitude to the previous Board members and president for their hard work and dedication to the club. I believe in keeping the club in top shape and fostering camaraderie among members, whether through cleanup days or organized classes.
I’m excited about the potential of hosting larger matches at Pima, as discussed with the area coordinator for USPSA at the nationals. With the right effort, we could accommodate over 300 competitors, generating significant benefits for the club and helping to bring in new members. Additionally, I see great opportunities for educational classes that focus on basic gun handling, serving as a gateway for new shooters and promoting active membership at the club.
My journey has been diverse, and I look forward to continuing to contribute positively to the Pima Pistol Club and the shooting community as a whole. Please consider me for an opportunity to serve Pima Pistol Club as a Board Member.