About Mike

Mike Centola

Mike is an active member and entrepreneur in the firearms industry, current President & CEO of Allstar Tactical, a Firearms Instructor, and a contributor to Personal Defense Network, as well as other blogs and publications. Although Mike has only been in the firearms industry since 2007, he has acquired many hours of training and firearms knowledge in order to supplement his involvement in Allstar Tactical as well as with other ventures and industry friends.

Mike has various firearms-related certifications. He spends a large amount of his time at local ranges helping the community with firearm safety and knowledge of the AR-15 weapons platform. Additionally, Mike continues to further his skills by training with various major training outfits such as I.C.E. Training, Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts, Modern Defensive Training Systems (MDTS), and many more. Mike logs over 100 hours of training throughout each year to further his firearms industry knowledge.

Firearms Certifications

  • Combat Focus Shooting Instructor Certification (I.C.E. Training)
  • Personal Security Operator Certification (PFC Training)
  • Association of Defensive Shooting Instructors Member
  • NRA Basic Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Home Firearm Safety Instructor

Complementing his extensive gunsmithing experience, Mike is a certified M4/M16/AR15 armorer as well as a Glock handgun armorer. He is sought out for specialized work on the AR15 platform but can customize and modify many different firearms. Through Allstar Tactical and in collaboration with I.C.E. Training, he offers various-level armorers classes around the continental United States.

Additionally, Mike co-founded the New York based website, NYFirearms.com, which is a rapidly growing community for Firearms enthusiasts in New York State. He also contributes to the blog by posting product reviews as well as industry news.

Prior to Mike’s involvement in the firearms industry, he was heavily involved in Business and Technology. Beginning in 1996, at the age of 15, Mike created his first small business and has been involved in business ever since. Forming several small businesses throughout high school, and working with his father in his successful small businesses, Mike acquired the experience and knowledge necessary to become a successful entrepreneur.

In 2003, Mike graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering, with a specialization in Networking. In 2004, Mike received his Master’s degree, also from RPI, in Information Technology with a concentration in Network Security. While completing the degrees, Mike also received IT certifications including A+/NET+/SERVER+, Cisco CCNA/CCNP, CCDA/CCDP, CCSP and passed the written test for the CCIE.

Before graduation, Mike was recruited by IBM Global Services as a Network and Security Specialist. He worked on projects for large corporations such as Husqvarna Outdoors and the NYS DMV. In 2006, Mike left IBM to work for PAETEC as a Backbone Engineer before leaving to pursue his two businesses full time.

As former owner and President/CEO of Technotic Media Inc, he ran a successful graphic design business that began as a Photography and Video services company. As a professional photographer and videographer, Mike secured many gigs for the automotive industry as it is one of his hobbies. In 2009, Technotic Media Inc launched it’s most successful venture to date: ihatestickers.com, a sticker and vinyl graphics company. In late 2010, TM launched StickNoEvil.com to accommodate high volume business customers.

In March of 2014, Mike transferred his shares of Technotic Media Inc to his wife Erica, and she will continue to push the company in a forward direction.

Mike also started a network services and complex web hosting company, True Negative, in order to provide hosting services for his various companies. In addition to these services, True Negative provides basic to complex hosting services across several different industries, including the motorsports and firearms industries. Mike uses his extensive knowledge in Information Technology and Networking to support True Negative’s clients.

When not active in his various entrepreneurial ventures, Mike is involved in several hobbies including motorsports, electronic music, radio controlled vehicles, watches, fitness, vaping, family and causing his wife grief.