New Area Coordinator announced in the Mountain West
Michael Knehs (aka Special K) from Hotchkiss, Colorado, has been announced as the new Area Coordinator for CO, WY, ID, MT, AK, effective immediately. 
The ESP and CO Master (also known as Special K) has been shooting IDPA since 1999. Knehs says, “After an initial GLOCK GSSF ‘match’, I became extremely interested in action pistol sport opportunities and met Tom Judd, who was heading up Front Range IDPA at the time and had also been to the inaugural IDPA match. After my first IDPA match I was hooked not only to the sport but the camaraderie. I have found a close-knit shooting family thanks to this sport – the members of which are so much more than friends.”
He continues, “I would very much like to see the area grow – more sanctioned matches, provide clarity regarding rules, be an easily approachable ambassador and asset for the sport and its participants. I understand that the matter of rules and their understanding/implementation and adherence can be seen as a challenge and has been an impediment to the growth in some states. As I spend a lot of time at matches (both local and throughout the western states) I hope to engage with a lot of shooters and be able to do a lot of ‘on the ground’ work. Rules of the game are simply there to provide a repeatable, level playing field and I hope to be able to highlight that the positives far outweigh perceived negatives.”
The new AC gives a lot of credit to his predecessor. “Shawn Hallinan is a respectable and great person, and I was lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him at the 3rd Rock in Colorado. I hope to be a worthy successor.”
When asked about upcoming sanctioned matches in his area that he would like to highlight, he says, “Having just had one of the premier (dare I say… best) matches in the Country, the 3rd Rock, I am sad to say that there are currently no other sanctioned matches in the books for this area. However, that is something that I hope to change – here’s looking at you, Idaho!”
Outside of IDPA, Special K has a robust life. “With a daughter in college and a wonderful partner, my two dogs, Vesper and Boba, round out my inner circle. I’m still active in the shooting and firearms industry as an exporter, along with working for FedEx. I am an avid motorcyclist, love hiking and mountain biking and tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.”
Special K has a message for members in his area. “I am exceedingly approachable. The good, the bad and the ugly – let’s talk about it! At the end of the day I am just a regular guy who loves to turn money into noise whilst enjoying the company of my peers!”