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MSA Instructors

At MSA, we place an unwavering focus on safety. We know what’s at stake and recognize that education and training play an integral part in our mission to keep you safe. We are committed to providing superior training courses taught by subject matter experts and qualified professionals. Our instructors have an average of 10+ years of experience in the industry and an established background in the subject matter they teach.

Expressly designed to attract the best talent, all training instructors undergo a stringent, comprehensive screening and training process consisting of:

  • Completion of a detailed application with a minimum experience requirement
  • Co-teaching at least three courses in each subject area with a seasoned MSA Training Instructor who observes and evaluates their performance
  • Formal evaluation after each class from course participants
  • Quarterly instructor audits/reviews by the training manager

The area of knowledge and experience of the instructor is specifically matched to the unique needs of the client organization. Instructors are selected based on the following criteria:

  • 1. Subject matter expertise
  • 2. Industries served
  • 3. Experience with specific audience levels

MSA Instructor Justin Bell

Justin Bell

Specialties

  • Fixed Gas/Flame Detection Instruments
  • Portable Gas Detection Instruments

Certifications

  • Expert adult trainer - Cornell University’s TCI/RCP

Background

Justin Bell is a North American Training Instructor. Beginning his MSA journey in 2017, Justin was involved in the manufacturing and testing of MSA’s ElectroChemical sensors. Working in this capacity, he was exposed to MSA’s proprietary gas detection sensor manufacturing process. This level of experience lends to his knowledge of utilizing the XCell sensor technology to its fullest potential to create a safe and efficient customer experience.

Justin has over 10 years of training experience working with adult learners and developing training programs. Furthermore, he also spent time as an Emergency Services Dispatcher working hand and hand with First Responders utilizing MSA safety products. Justin has dedicated his professional career to the philosophy of educating individuals through lifelong learning.

MSA Instructor Skyler Cook

Skyler Cook

Specialties

  • Fall Protection
  • Confined Space Entry/Rescue

Certifications

  • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC):
    • Fire Officer II
    • Fire Instructor III
    • Hazardous Materials Incident Commander
    • Confined Space/High Angle Rescue Technician
    • Hazardous Materials Technician
    • Airport Firefighter

Background

Skyler Cook is a North American Training Instructor with over 20 years of experience in the life safety field. Prior to joining MSA, Skyler was a firefighter in the United States Air Force. He received his fire protection training at the DoD Louis F. Garland Fire Academy in San Angelo, Texas.

Skyler spent 10 years active duty in the Air Force, and six years as a DoD contractor in Kuwait. He also spent four years as a fire ground operations instructor at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy. After his military career, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety and Health Management from Slippery Rock University, PA. Upon graduation before coming to MSA, he began his safety career at an international distribution company as a Safety and Health coordinator.

MSA Instructor Peter Elliott

Peter Elliott

Specialties

  • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
  • RITE
Background

Peter joined the MSA CARE Training team in 2014 as a technical instructor. Prior to joining the Training team, he spent over 5 years with MSA's Customer Service department working as a specialist with the First Responder Team and 2 years on MSA's Inside Sales and Business Development Team as the First Responder specialist. Peter was a volunteer firefighter using the MSA SCBA since 2007. It is during these years that Peter received his experience and knowledge with various types of MSA SCBAs. In all, Peter brings over 8 years of technical knowledge and front-line experience with the MSA SCBA.

MSA Instructor Kristin Grossman

Kristin Grossman

Specialties

  • Fall Protection

Certifications

  • OSHA 10 Hour General Industry
  • OSHA 30 Hour General Industry
  • Rigging and Material Handling

Background

Kristin Grossman is a North American Training Instructor. Prior to joining the Training team, Kristin spent several years in the MSA Customer Service Department. It is during this time Kristin gained valuable knowledge of the MSA Fall Protection product line.

Kristin received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Slippery Rock University. She has completed OSHA: 10 and 30 Hour General Industry, Rigging and Material Handling along with MSA Competent Person Safety at Heights classes. Kristin’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She serves on the MSA Young Professionals Newsletter Team and IDEAS Leadership Team.

MSA Instructor Chris Irwin

Chris Irwin

Specialties

  • Fall Protection
  • Confined Space Entry/Rescue
  • Competent Person
  • Train-The-Trainer
  • Towers
  • Wind Turbine
  • On-site OSHA-style safety inspections - 1910 and 1926 regulations
  • Certified OSHA 10 and 30-Hour trainer - General Industry
  • Certified OSHA 10 and 30-Hour trainer - Construction

Certifications

  • ASP
  • CMC as a Confined Space Rescue Technician

Background

Chris Irwin is a global training instructor and safety program developer with MSA. Chris has worked on the development of both fall protection and confined space entry training programs for the company and within the field of health and safety since 2008. Having received a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety and Health Management, Chris began his career at an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star manufacturing facility as an Environmental, Health, and Safety specialist before moving on to work as a site safety supervisor for the general contractor of a construction company of 150 union boilermaker workers and the oversight of pipefitters, iron workers, electricians, and general laborers at a dual-cycle power plant build.

Since 2009, Chris has worked full-time as a safety trainer for open enrollment and contractual trainings. Within the industry, he has worked inside a diverse group of industry sectors, including power generation, automotive, steel, and petrochemical production while at the same time working with construction firms in the civil, residential, tower, and city commercial construction projects.

MSA Instructor Jason Jenkins

Jason Jenkins

Specialties

  • G1 SCBA
  • Galaxy GX2 Automated Test System

Background

Jason Jenkins started with MSA in 2003 as a Customer Service Associate and has obtained valuable knowledge on MSA products, service and support. Prior to joining MSA, Jason worked for an industrial supplier as an employee trainer and product specialist. Jason was an MSA Customer Service group team leader, where he supported and trained our own Customer Service associates and worked closely with our channel partners and end users. He has also been on the front line of support for many of MSA's current product launches including the G1 and GX2, and has worked on various specialty teams projects including our Issues Resolution group.

MSA Instructor Matt Klein

Matt Klein

Specialties

  • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Background

Matt has been a CARE technical instructor since 2008. Prior to becoming an instructor, Matt worked for 10+ years with MSA Customer Service, 5 of which were as a specialist on the First Responder Technical Support Team. It was during that time of working his way up the Customer Service ladder that he honed his knowledge and experience in SCBA maintenance and support. Matt has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

MSA Instructor Justin Lewis

Justin Lewis

Specialties

  • Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

Certifications

  • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC):
    • Firefighter I/II
    • Fire Instructor I/II
    • Fire Officer I/II
    • Technical Rescue – Ropes
    • Trench Rescue
    • Vehicle and Machinery Rescue

Background

Justin Lewis a native of North Carolina has been involved in the fire service since 2012, lastly serving as a Captain at Morehead City FIRE/EMS. During his tenure, he functioned as a Company Officer, Paramedic, Field Training Officer and as a preceptor for the local college. Justin holds an Associate Degree in Emergency Medical Services as well as a technical certificate in automotive repair.

Before joining the fire service, Justin was an ASE Master Technician for 10 years, working with multiple manufacturers and being exposed to various dealer level training programs. Justin took his fire and automotive experiences and started an emergency equipment service and testing company. They focused on fire apparatus repair and all forms of NFPA testing including hose, ladder, and pump testing.

The joining of his careers has provided him with a wealth of experience and opportunities to interact and work with many manufacturers and their equipment.

MSA Instructor John Onuska

John Onuska

Specialties

  • Fixed Gas/Flame Detection Instruments
  • Portable Gas Detection Instruments
  • Confined Space Entry/Rescue

Certifications

  • Firefighter 1
  • Hazmat
  • Vehicle Rescue Tech

Background

John Onuska is a North American Training Instructor. John has dedicated his career to the safety industry. He has over 10 years of experience training worldwide on gas detection with both portable meters and area monitors, in addition to certification training to repair them. These trainings have given him a wide range of knowledge and experience in many different industries such as metal/non-metal mining, pulp and paper, chemical plants, marine and shipping, and petrochemical.

John has over 20 years’ experience as a volunteer firefighter. He is also a member of the Beaver County Hazmat team located in Pennsylvania and an Emergency Management Coordinator for South Beaver Township. John has a degree from Pittsburgh Technical College in computer forensics and network administration.

MSA Instructor Robbie Russell

Robby Russell

Specialties / Certifications



  • Vehicle Extrication Instructor (Basic & Advanced)
  • Radio Tower Rescue Instructor
  • Hazwoper
  • Rescue Systems
  • Hazmat Awareness
  • Hazmat Technician
  • National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) Instructor I & II
  • NPQ Fire Officer I, II and III Instructor
  • NAUI DART, Rescue Diver, Public Safety Diver, Divemaster Instructor     
  • NPQ Live Fire Instructor
  • NPQ Trench Rescue
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • CPR / AED / First Aid Instructor (AHA, Red Cross)
  • NASCAR Track Emergency Services Instructor Level 3
  • High Angle Rescue I, II, III, Technician
  • Structural Collapse
  • Trench Rescue
  • Hazmat Operations
  • OSHA 500
  • NPQ Instructor Trainer
  • NAUI SCUBA Instructor
  • Swiftwater I & II Instructor
  • NPQ Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF)
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Instructor
  • Basic Trauma Life Support Instructor (BTLS)
  • American Heart Association Training Center Facility (AHATCP)
  • National Incident Manager System (NIMS) Instructor
  • Confined Space Rescue – NPQ, GA Tech, USAR, GSAR, GFA
      (5 separate certs.)
  • Robby Russell has a colorful background. He was in the US ARMY for five years as a Crash Rescue Specialist, he has devoted 33 years of his life in the fire service and as a paramedic. These roles have provided relevant knowledge and experience laying a foundation for Robby’s expertise and skills in teaching rescue, confined space, and safety at heights training, as well as several specialty training courses. When Robby is not training and traveling, he loves to enjoy time with his wife, daughters, and beautiful grandchildren.

    MSA Instructor Scott Shepherd

    Scott Shepherd

    Specialties

    • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
    • Fall Protection
    • Fixed Gas/Flame Detection Instruments
    • Portable Gas Detection Instruments

    Background

    Scott Shepherd joined our Training team as both a CARE and MERIT instructor in 2015. He began his career with MSA in 1997 working as a Service Technician for Surety Manufacturing. He continued to work on and expand his technical expertise over the years eventually becoming a senior technician with MSA’s Repair and Service department. Scott continued to hone his extensive product knowledge and skills working as a Field Service territory manager responsible for the Fixed Gas and Flame Detection field service in Western Canada.

    MSA Instructor Dave Volk

    Dave Volk

    Background

    Dave started in the safety equipment industry in 1988 and has been with MSA for the last 21 years. Dave’s had many roles at MSA including SCBA Product Sales Manager, Strategic Account Manager, Regional Manager, Global Director of SCBA and Fire Helmet Sales, and Fire Service Training Manager. In this role, Dave is responsible for training our fire service channel partners in MSA products and how to sell them.

    Dave was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area but has lived and worked in Southern California and Chicago and has lived back in the Pittsburgh area since 1993. He and his wife Karen have four kids. Dave enjoys off-road motorcycling, woodworking, and working at the family farm in Fayette County, PA. He is also the Emergency Management Coordinator for his town.

    MSA Instructor Cerina Yeaton

    Cerina Yeaton

    Background

    Cerina Yeaton has been the Sales Training Instructor for the Globe turnout gear line since September 2013, but has been with Globe since 1992. Cerina started working in the Technical Services Lab where she gained extensive knowledge on materials, NFPA testing requirements, and experience with garments returned from the field for repair. She also spent four years in Customer Service before being chosen to help develop and manage Globe’s CARES program in 2007, which aids customers with training to the NFPA 1851 standard. As the Sales Trainer Instructor, she is very excited to work with the First Responder Sales Managers to help increase the knowledge of all our Channel Partners, as well as expand their selling techniques.

    Cerina lives in New Hampshire with her family. Cerina’s husband is a 4th generation dairy farmer, recently retired from milking cows. She has a daughter and son that are both grown and living far from home. An avid do it yourselfer, she enjoys home projects, reading fiction, and travelling with their new camper to explore new places.

    MSA Instructor John Zaginaylo

    John Zaginaylo

    Specialties

    • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
    • Fall Protection
    • Confined Space Site Audits and Hazard Assessments
    • Safety at Heights

    Background

    John Zaginaylo is a North American Training Instructor. Prior to joining MSA, John served 11 years within both the United States Marine Corps, and then the United States Army, deploying several times and being recognized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

    In addition to his exemplary military service, John brings 17 years of extensive experience in the construction industry where he led numerous blasting projects including natural gas pipelines, bridges, and structures. John held roles in project management and safety specialist, where he facilitated safety analyses highlighting risks associated with challenging operations. John graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science in Safety Management and holds numerous professional certifications.