WELCOME TO THE SWAMP
Who is the Swanson Media Group and what is "The Swamp"?
In March of 2011, Trampas and Candace Swanson established the Swanson Armory, LLC in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina as a new venture following Trampas's retirement from law enforcement. Over the next couple of years, Trampas worked as an armorer and certified DuraCoat specialist, creating unique camo patterns and more on client's firearms along with Candace in the shop.
In November of 2012, after the company relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, Bill Pryce Thomas discovered the Swanson Armory, LLC website and Facebook page along with blogs about the gun industry Trampas had written. After chatting back and forth, Bill asked Trampas to begin writing articles for .22 Shooter Magazine. Over the next few years, other publications started noticing their work and opportunities began to grow for both of them.
On Jan 1, 2016, the Swanson Media Group (SMG) was officially formed to help pay it forward and bring on other aspiring writers from solid outdoor, law enforcement, medical and military backgrounds to write reviews rather than fluff pieces all too common found in large publications today. The company is currently based in Middleburg, Florida with assets in Arizona, North Carolina, Nevada, Alaska, England and Luxemburg.
"The Swamp" - while it is often referred to as our private training grounds owned by team member, Jerry Moody, located the swamp covered area of north Florida and used for teaching classes as well as our video and photo shoots, it actually has a much deeper meaning. "The Swamp" is a state of mind, its in the hearts of every shooter who yearns to be on the water fishing, to be in the woods hunting or simply camping to hone bushcraft skills. For our team, it is our version of a lush green Valhalla.
Trampas SwansonSMG Founder, CEO & Managing Editor
As a lifelong hunter & former LE SWAT Sniper, Trampas has extensive knowledge of a wide range of firearms from full auto M4 machine guns to .22 caliber squirrel rifles. It not a job to him, its a true lifestyle. He and his wife, Candace personally operate each of the 3 companies under the Swanson Armory, LLC brand and find time to volunteer for not only two chapters of the not for profit org, The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters, but also plan and maintance a 200+ person state event for the ladies each year. Trampas strives to not only grow each company but provide more opportunites for everyone involved as well. |
Candace SwansonSMG Co-Founder, Editor & Photographer
For a small, grassroots company, Candace has done it all from hot days in the field capturing all the action on camera to writing her own content shared not only by print publications but dozens of chapters of the national not for profit org, The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters. Aside from being COO of SMG and its two sister companies under the Swanson Armory, LLC banner, she still manages a day job of being a construction project manager handling millions of dollars in contracts! Make no bones about it, if it weren't for the sacrifices and time spent by this lady, there would be no SMG! |
Jamie HeadleyAs an instructor for Steel n Stilettos Training in Michigan, Jamie has a passion for shooting and the firearms community. She enjoys using her skills as an instructor to help students safely learn skills as well as her corporate consulting and marketing background to help gun ranges increase revenue and customer satisfaction.
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Jim Wenzel
Former Law Enforcement Officer, Trainer and current civilian Firearms Instructor and Security Contractor, SMG Writer, Jim Wenzel adds more real world "Been there, done that, got the T shirt" expertise to an already ready loaded cast of characters and high speed personalities. There is a lot of wisdom and "big picture" concepts and ideas in his writing.
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Shawn Swanson
SMG Writer (Call sign: Lunchbox)
As a full time Private Military Contractor, Shawn has seen parts of the globe most can't even point out on a map. He brings his straight forward, professional thoughts to our readers for each issue of PMCI Magazine. Based in AZ, Shawn is our west coast boots on the ground and a key member of the SMG SHOT SHOW team. |
Jared Peltz
SMG Outdoor Writer & Survivalist
Jared is a true outdoor adventurer. Like Candace, Jared comes to us from the construction world in which his professional attitude and work ethic carry over into the SMG team. Jared is more than just pretty beard, he is a valued member of our SMG SHOT SHOW team, helping land new accounts and vendors every year. Not to mention, nobody smokes bacon, brisket and other meats like Jared! |
Rick Swanson
SMG Field Tester & Photographer
Rick, father of SMG founder Trampas Swanson, has spent the bulk of his life as a hunter and fisherman. From the frozen rivers of Canada to the soybean fields of eastern NC, Rick enjoys it all in the chase to catch that perfect rainbow trout or seasoned mature buck. When it comes to an open flame, "Kill it and Grill it" is Rick's long time motto! |
Amy Lucas
Amy Lucas is the owner and lead instructor for Steel n Stilettos Training in Michigan. Amy brings even more real-world experience to the SMG team with her Law Enforcement background and success in training civilians.
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John Phillips
SMG Photographer & Holster Maker
John is also known as the "King of Kydex" due to his amazing work through Survivor Creek Tactcial building custom holsters, sheaths and other innovative products from the popular medium. John is a veteran member of the SMG SHOT SHOW team in which he brings his eye for the industry to our readers and YES, in his spare time, he likes to wrestle Bigfoot! |
Doc Burger
SMG Photographer & Videographer
Doc comes to us from the frozen lakes of Alaska. What he can do with a camera is simply amazing. Doc lives for the outdoors and loves to put together musical montages to capture the fun and excitement of events. Doc is simply another true X factor for the SMG SHOT SHOW team whose presence adds to the chemistry and strengthens the team during a grueling week of work and socializing. |
Bill Pryce Thomas
SMG Writer & Mentor
Bill comes to us from across the pond in the UK. To say there would be a Swanson Media Group without Bill would be hard pressed. As former editor of .22 Shooter Magazine, Bill gave Trampas his start in the gun writing world and continued to mentor him through his journey in creating the SMG team. Now, as editor of PMCI Magazine, Bill continues to bring opportunities not only to the publication, but the entire SMG team as well. He is a valued member of the SMG IWA team hosted in Germany each year. |
Rodrigo Muller
SMG Writer & Photographer
Coming to us from the South American country of Brazil, now located in Orlando, FL Rodrigo brings a unique blend of wit and charm to the team. As a former Federal Law Enforcement Trainer, Rodrigo has traveled internationally to train and learn various tactics used by some of the top teams in the world. As an accomplished Firearms and Martial Arts Instructor, Rodrigo is a wealth of information and a valuable resources for the Swanson Media Group. Did I mention, he is an amazing cook? |
Steve Blaschette
SMG European Liason
Every good team has that one member who always "knows a guy". Stuck in the Antarctic and need to rent a dogsled? Give Steve 2 mins and you'll be up to your eyes in Huskies. When leads don't pan out Stateside, Steve is always a "go to guy" to find a European connection to a popular vendor or asset. The man knows his guns, his business and how to network like no other! |
Angela Osmond
SMG North Writer
AKA Baby Goes Pew Pew to many of her loyal Instagram followers. Angela isn't just another pretty face with a gun, she is real deal steel. Teamed with her partner, Gavin, these two are constantly on the road training as well as letting their voices be heard on the popular show, Canadian Patriot Podcast. Look for Angela and Gavin as part of the extended SMG SHOT SHOW crew! |
Gavin Bequiri
SMG North Writer
Like his partner, Angela, Gavin travels the world training and acts as a voice of the Canadian people via Canadian Patriot Podcast. Its a shame these two are north of the border, because they would instantly make damn fine Americans! As a Firearms Instructor at Ragnarok Tactical, Gavin is not only highly skilled but a valued mind in the training world. |