Mark Bates has worked in the lock industry for over twenty-five years, starting as a locksmith and safe technician. In 1993 he founded MBA USA, Inc. which has grown to be a leading provider of security education and equipment.

Mr. Bates is a longtime member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA), the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), and the Safe and Vault Technicians Association (SAVTA). In 2000 he was inducted into the SAVTA Hall of Fame. Mark is the author of the reference book "Modern Safe Locks", and has contributed articles to leading industry journals.

In addition to his duties as instructor at MBA, Mark has conducted classes for ALOA, SAVTA, and for numerous regional associations. These classes have taken Mr. Bates throughout the U.S. and Canada, to England, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Italy, and the Middle East. From these travels, Mark has developed a deep understanding of locks and security from a global vantage point.

Chuck has been in the physical security field for almost 20 years. He owned and operated a locksmith shop for 12 of those years. In those 20 years he has had many unique opportunities to work with many branches of the government, and law enforcement, and brings a wealth of knowledge in covert and surreptitious entry techniques. No stranger to education, Chuck has thousands of hours under his belt instructing technical courses throughout the world. Chuck has also been a member of ALOA since 1995.

Andy Dennison has been a locksmith for over nineteen years. His experience covers a wide variety of locksmithing services with the majority of his time spent in the area of safes, vaults, and GSA containers. Before becoming a locksmith, he spent four years in the U.S. Navy and another four years in the Naval Reserve. Before joining MBA, he taught certification classes for Mas-Hamilton/Kaba Mas for seven years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him. Andy has been a member of SAVTA and ALOA since 1992.

Ryan is among the new talent coming into the security industry. He is very knowledgeable in mechanical safe locks, manipulation, Group 1 manipulation techniques, safe deposit lock service and bypass, time locks, vault locks, safe opening and electronic safe lock servicing and defeat. He has designed many of today’s most popular safe tools and equipment including the Helix universal safe drilling template, JumpBox electronic lock power booster, Gizmo emergency safe dial and JackHammer safe punches. He has served as an instructor for numerous associations including SAVTA, Yankee Security and Texas Locksmith Association. Ryan has also written over 30 articles for Safe & Vault Technology and Locksmith Ledger. He has worked as a consultant for multiple manufacturers on physical security equipment. He has been a SAVTA member since 2009.

Following four tours of duty in Viet Nam (holding a Top Secret Crypto clearance), Mr. Cortie spent several years in law enforcement before apprenticing as a locksmith in 1977. Joe opened his own locksmith shop in 1980, successfully operating it for 15 years before joining Mas-Hamilton as a high security lock instructor. Joe's years at Mas-Hamilton gave him a commanding knowledge of electronic safe locks which has proved invaluable in the classroom.

In 2001 Joe joined MBA USA. He has been instrumental in the development and teaching of material relating to locks used on GSA Security Containers. Joe's expertise has made him a popular instructor, respected as much for his knowledge as his "hands-on" style of teaching.

Mr. Cortie is a longtime member of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and the Safe and Vault Technicians Association (SAVTA). In 2003 he was inducted into the SAVTA Hall of Fame. He has served on the SAVTA board of directors for a number of years and is now the Vice President of SAVTA. In 2009 Mr. Cortie received the Gerald Connelly Award from the Philadelphia Locksmith Association.

John Falle is the brilliant designer of scores of ingenious lock opening tools, and his enthusiasm and genius is evident in his superb classes. John is the designer of numerous advanced opening tools, as well as the renowned Falle Pick Set. Mr. Falle's services are available in North America exclusively through MBA USA. Please contact us for your training requirements concerning John's advanced equipment, and we will give you a quotation. These courses require up to one year advanced notice to schedule, and are available only to select government agencies.

Martin is a recognized expert on lever-type key locks, and has extensive knowledge of other mechanical locking devices. He has a background as a covert-entry specialist, making him an ideal instructor for our tactical training courses. As a partner in the U.K. firm, "Safe Ventures", Martin keeps his expertise up-to-date with constant practice in the field. Available to select government agencies.

Ed is an automotive locksmithing specialist with many years working in the automotive industry. Ed is a consultant to many manufacturers of automotive locksmithing related tools and equipment and is a Certified ACE Instructor, a long time member of ALOA and has taught automotive locksmithing classes at ALOA conventions and at ACE class events. Ed is the 2006 recipient of the ALOA Continuing Education (ACE) Instructor of the Year award which is presented annually by the ALOA Training Department.