Staff

Carol Ruh

President/Founder
NRA Certified Instructor

In 1998 Carol started working at an indoor range in Phoenix opening a new world of opportunities. She saw the need for women instructors and accepted the challenge becoming and NRA instructor, and in 2009 a Training Counselor. More recently she has become the Women’s Director of the Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association’s Women’s Division.

Carol has worked hard throughout the years studying not only to become a better shooter, but also to pass along what she learned. She feels that every woman should have the opportunities to learn and become more confident and not depend on another for her safety or her families.

“If a woman can teach another woman the importance of this sport, she would be willing to pass this to her children ensuring the future of the shooting sports. The key is education”.

Marie Thompson

Vice President
NRA Certified Instructor

Marie moved to Arizona in 1989 after accepting an offer for a new position from her employer.

"After visiting Ben Avery and participating in an introductory firearms program presented by Ben Avery, I became interested in learning more about firearms and what programs were available to women.

A brochure from the Arizona Women’s Shooting Associates (AWSA) provided the perfect information and schedule for courses to further my interests in pistols while building firearm confidence and knowledge.

Practice sessions provided many different shooting scenarios while fostering the greater depth of knowledge and confidence I was looking for. I have also expanded my experiences into occasional recreational skeet shooting and rifle target shooting.

I continued my firearm education with AWSA and received my NRA Certified Pistol Instructor Credentials in 2019. My vision is to continue my firearms education with AWSA and pass on my knowledge and help to other women".

Kim Campagna

Secretary
NRA Certified Instructor

Kim was born in Portland, Oregon, and moved to Arizona in 2001. After moving to Arizona she purchased a handgun and got her CCW.

Still wanting to learn more about firearms, Kim took a class on "Personal Protection in the Home" through Arizona Women's Shooting Associates and became a member in 2016.

"Once I started attending the pistol and rifle practice nights, I gained a lot of confidence in my ability to react and shoot my firearms in different scenarios. Each practice night was very informative and I learned something new each time".

"Continuing my firearm education with AWSA in 2017 I became an NRA Certified Instructor in several disciplines. I would also like to see more women build their knowledge and skill using firearms for personal protection and enjoy the sport of shooting".

Betsy Kavash

NRA Certified Instructor

A new job brought Betsy to Arizona in 1996 from the Northeast.

"Although I never thought about or ever held a gun before, something about living in the Southwest led me to sign up for the ‘Women on Target’ clinic taught by Carol Ruh at the Ben Avery Shooting Range in 2016.

This hands-on class of firearm safety and orientation to marksmanship, encouragingly taught by Carol and the other women on her staff, made it comfortable and safe for me to learn a new skill and eliminated any misgivings or fear I had about guns and shooting.

I liked shooting targets and started attending the bi-monthly pistol and rifle practice nights run by the Arizona Women’s Shooting Association (AWSA). It was during these sessions that I gained experience and confidence in my shooting ability.

I joined the AWSA and the women’s division of Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association (ASRPA) and planned to continue improving my skills. Since then, I have taken more classes through AWSA and became a certified NRA Pistol Instructor".

Helen Papietro

NRA Certified Instructor

Helen is a 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.

"I worked half of my career in narcotics. Field narcotics including street arrests, combined federal-city task forces, served hundreds of search warrants (kicking doors and chasing felons)

I taught shooting at the academy for 2 years. I was a handgun instructor since 1997, patrol shotgun since 1998, entry-team Benelli shotgun since 1999.

In addition to patrol and narcotics, I worked gangs and auto detectives.

I've been a competitive handgun shooter since 1998. Mostly I compete in Police Pistol ( emphasis on accuracy) but have also competed in steel challenge and action pistol."

Julie Schwalbe

NRA Certified Instructor

Julie is originally from central Illinois. She moved to Arizona in 2012. While she began shooting while still living in Illinois, it wasn’t until she moved to Arizona that she really was able to develop a true passion for the sport. She got her CCW and learned the importance of shooting with others in various groups in the Phoenix area. One of those groups was AWSA, where there was a wealth of information to be learned from group leader, Carol Ruh.

“Once I met Carol, I wanted to just keep learning. I got my NRA Certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and also a Range Safety Officer. I have taken countless classes through the years from many different teachers and Law Enforcement personnel. Every time I show up, whether it’s to a group practice, a lesson, or practice on my own, I take something beneficial back home with me.”