Shawn Hallinan Appointed as Area Coordinator
Shawn Hallinan has been appointed as Area Coordinator for Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska, effective immediately.
Prior to becoming AC, Shawn was the Washington State Coordinator. His home clubs are Renton Fish and Game Club in Renton, Washington and Paul Bunyan Rifle and Sportsman’s Club in Puyallup, Washington. where the Hunter’s HD Gold/Archangel Washington State IDPA Championship will be hosted in July 2025.
Hallinan shoots SSP or ESP as Sharpshooter in each and MM/ CCP. “I have been shooting IDPA for over 6 years. I was attracted to IDPA by the people! My wife and I have been helped, coached and mentored by so many great people along the way. Our competitive shooting journey began shooting Steel Challenge and then Action Shooting International and finally agreeing to try IDPA. I loved it! My wife tolerated it, but it has since grown on her. Much to her chagrin, I have also grown to love the planning and match management side of IDPA. The people attracted us, and the people kept us coming back. We were welcomed, coached and encouraged the entire way. My hope is that we are also the great ambassadors that those before us were”.
The new AC has a couple of goals in mind:
“I want to continue to be an ambassador by helping grow and spread the love of our sport to the next generation of shooters.”
“I believe ladies and children are the future of the shooting sports. Getting ladies involved furthers the sport because these ladies are daughters, sisters, girlfriends, wives and mothers with a huge influence on a significant part of society. We need to welcome, encourage and foster these ladies; change their perception and make them a welcome part of the shooting sports. The other option is relying on what they are hearing and seeing on mainstream media. If we expect to counter that, we must start with those who have such a great influence in homes: ladies…daughters, sisters, girlfriends, wives and mothers. Those who know and understand the truth are more likely to help the next generation of shooting enthusiasts…our children.”
“I will work to improve communication and how information is distributed and I want to work with other Area Coordinators and our RACL to close the gap on information flow down to the shooter level. Changes to guidelines and rules needs to be seen by our members before they get to a sanctioned match. I want to be a part of streamlining that process.”
Shawn credits several folks in IDPA for his progression. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve as Area Coordinator. I would be remiss if I did not thank Lars Liden, my predecessor as Washington State Coordinator and Frank Strong, the previous Area Coordinator. Frank has moved on to become the Regional Area Coordinator Lead and I look forward to continuing working with him. These men believed in me: they assisted, coached and mentored me. Both are valued sources of insight, and each has been instrumental in my development leading to this point of my IDPA journey.”
Asked if there are any upcoming sanctioned matches in his area he would like to highlight, he says, “There are three upcoming matches in my area that I am currently involved in: two in Washington and one in Idaho. I am the Match Director for the Hunter’s HD Gold/Archangel Washington State Championship hosted at Paul Bunyan Rifle and Sportsman’s Club in Puyallup, Washington in July. Prior to being appointed Area Coordinator, I accepted the role of AC delegate for the Idaho State IDPA Championship, in Nampa, Idaho in September and the 3rd Annual Western Washington Regional IDPA Championship hosted at Renton Fish and Game Club in October. Idaho and Renton had both been on sanctioned match hiatus. Idaho came online for a long-awaited State match in 2024. Unsure of the level of support the match would get, it was held as a Tier 2 match. After overwhelming support in 2024, the 2025 Idaho State Championship will be a Tier 3 match. Renton Fish and Game Club will come back online this year hosting the Western Washington Regional as a Tier 2 match.”
Hallinan is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer and current DOD civilian. “I provide field support for software used in Army Command Posts. I am truly blessed that my work schedule allows me the time to do the things I enjoy.” And what does he do when not shooting IDPA? “Both my wife and I love to camp. Our weather in Washington is usually mild and we do so in our travel trailer year-round often combining camping trips with match weekends. Reloading ammo has always been a therapeutic hobby. I began reloading rifle ammo 26 years ago and started loading pistol ammo about 8 years ago. I still reload on a single stage press for several reasons: I handle the brass more so defective cases are less likely to become a functioning cartridge. Although often mundane, the prep work involved gives me plenty of time to talk to the Lord. I do not reload for volume, but for solitude and reflection. One might say it is a way of keeping my hands and mind occupied.”
“I am honored to be one of the fortunate few able to shoot and compete with my wife of nearly 38 years (August 2025). I am blessed to have her support in this new role. I am not certain I would still do it without her unwavering support. Jacquie is my trusted confidant, she keeps me grounded and she is a very patient, tolerant lady! I am truly blessed! Most of my friends agree, but my dear friend Marshall Reed puts a fine point on it, “The Always Lovely Infinitely Patient Mrs. Hallinan.” Hopefully her patience can endure!”
Is there anything else this leader would like his constituents to know about him as he assumes the position of AC? “I am a Christ follower, and I try to live my life standing on these truths:
With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)
Therefore, I am grateful for each day that the Lord allows me to wake up, for my family, for the opportunity to do the things that I enjoy and for the opportunity to serve the great people within the IDPA community.”