What we’re made of

World-class shooting, agile software development, and a commitment to our nation’s armed professionals.

How it all began

The story of Scoring Tech began in 2007 when founders Ken and Brian Nelson were competing in USPSA pistol matches. Ken had volunteered to direct a local match and asked Paula his wife to input all the paper scorecards into Excel for final results. After graciously performing this time-consuming task, Paula informed Ken that she would no longer be offering her Excel services. Ken, being the CEO of an agile software company, quickly solved the problem of paper scorecards by having his developers create an app for electronic scoring.

After building the PractiScore app, Ken and Brian continued competing in and assisting with matches across the country and shared their new app with match directors wherever they went. PractiScore gained traction throughout the shooting sports and became the de facto scoring app for practical shooting matches around the world.

With its widespread use in the civilian market, PractiScore caught the attention of personnel at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in 2019 who had been tasked with timing and scoring hundreds of Marines by hand. They quickly realized the need for electronic scoring and timing and reached out to PractiScore for a custom software solution. Ken jumped at the opportunity to help ONR and assist the U.S. Marine Corps. He rapidly put together a small team of engineers and shooters from his company and began development of the Joint Marksmanship Assessment Package (JMAP).

After years of working alongside Marines on both coasts, developing custom scoring tools, and scoring thousands of infantry, JMAP was officially adopted by the USMC in 2024 to score their rifle and pistol qualifications. Today JMAP is used by the DOD, DOJ, and local law enforcement groups across the nation.

Ken and Brian at one of their early pistol matches.

ADMIN & FIELD SUPPORT

  • Ken Nelson, CEO

    Founder, CEO, Army veteran, competitive shooter, and father. Ken is known throughout the shooting sports industry as the creator of PractiScore, the de facto scoring tool for practical shooting around the globe. Locally Ken co-founded and led the Southern Utah Practical Shooting Range where he ran some of the nation’s largest shooting matches and championships.

    While running the SUPS range, Ken also co-founded the Tactical Performance Center (TPC) where he helped train thousands of students including Mil/SWAT/SF/HRT units in high-speed and high-accuracy marksmanship.

    Ken currently serves as CEO for both SciTools, a software company specializing in advanced software analysis, and Scoring Tech where he leads the ongoing development of JMAP and other products for our military and law enforcement customers.

  • Jay Phillips, COO

    The most interesting man in the room. Jay has over 33 years of experience in the firearms industry doing everything from selling thousands of tons of bullets to dealers across the nation, to designing world-class record-setting rifles, to training some of the best pistol shooters in the world today.

    Jay joined Scoring Tech in 2019 and onboarded the Navy as Scoring Tech’s first customer. Since then Jay has played a key role in the development and distribution of JMAP across our military and law enforcement customers.

  • Chris Jones, DoD Liaison

    With over 26 years of experience in the United States Marine Corps, Chris is our resident military expert. Chris retired from the USMC with the rank of Gunner in 2021, completing his service at the world-famous Edson range as the Chief Range Office and the OIC of the MCRD Shooting Team.

    During his military career, Chris participated in combat operations in Liberia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He served as a machine gunner, scout sniper, and formal school instructor. He also deployed in support of the 22nd, 26th, and 31st MEUs, and participated in JTF drug interdiction operations on the U.S. border with Mexico.

  • Greg Huffman, Senior Data Scientist

    Dr. Huffman earned a PhD from the University of Toronto, where his research focused on cognitive processes involved in detecting, identifying, and acting upon visual stimuli. Following postgraduate work at the University of Notre Dame, he joined the Naval Health Research Center’s Warfighter Performance Department as the primary scientist in the Marksmanship and Tactical Research Group for developing novel marksmanship assessments, data analysis methods, and providing insight into interpreting the results of those analyses.

    His work informed the United States Marine Corps’ evaluation, selection, and continued development of the Advanced Marksmanship Assessment Package (now the Infantry Marksmanship Assessment Package) at the Schools of Infantry. Dr. Huffman has also consulted with Marine Corps Systems Command to evaluate human performance impacts of hardware changes to the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System and the feasibility of passive aiming devices in low-light conditions. In this role, Dr. Huffman has published articles on effective marksmanship assessments, analysis techniques, and training evaluation methods.

  • Brian Nelson, Senior FSR

    Brian has been competing in the shooting sports since he was a boy and is now one of the top competitive shooters in the world. He is a five-time USPSA Grandmaster (Limited, Carry Optics, PCC, Production, Single Stack) and has been on the USA Rifle Team, USA Practical Shotgun Team, and the USA Pistol Caliber Carbine Team.

    With a deep understanding of shooting, training, and firearms, Brian helped to found the Tactical Performance Center (TPC), Scoring Tech, and Nelson Performance. He has instructed thousands of students, developed the carbine doctrine for TPC, and was one of the original AMTP/IMTP instructors.

    Brian currently serves as one of our Field Support Reps while also competing in major matches and providing firearms training to military and law enforcement groups across the country.

  • William Ring, Lead FSR

    William is a former Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He served for eight years active duty in a large number of roles: Foreign Weapons Instructor Course Chief, Primary Marksmanship Instructor Chief, Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course Chief, Combat Marksmanship Trainer Course Chief, Curriculum Developer, Certified Master Instructor, and AMTP Instructor.

    William has been using or supporting JMAP since 2021 and was one of our very first field service reps. He currently leads our field service reps and enjoys competing in USPSA and PRS matches.

  • Stephan Valentine, Field Support Rep

    Former Sgt USMC (0331)

    Section Leader V1/8 CAAT

    SOI-E Combat Hunter Course Chief

    SOI-E MCT Lead Marksmanship Instructor

    SOI-E ITB original IMC instructor group

    SOI-E ITB original AMTP instructor group

    ScoringTech FSR running dozens of IMA / RMA / AMTP / IMTP  events. 

  • Jonathan Charles, Field Support Rep

    Retired Gunnery Sergeant 0369, USMC

    Jon Charles served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps infantry where he spent fifteen years employed as a scout sniper, holding every billet associated with the military occupational field.  He was responsible for training hundreds of students across the joint and international force during three separate tours as a Scout Sniper Instructor, Advanced Scout Sniper Instructor and Sniper Employment Officer Instructor.  Jon was also a member of the USMC Shooting Team where he competed in precision rifle matches and sniper competitions.

  • Andy Kester, Field Support Rep

    Former SSgt, USMC (0331)

    13 Years Active Duty

    Weapons Platoon Sergeant 

    Marine Advisor

    Combat Marksmanship Coach

    Combat Instructor

    SOI-E ITB Combat Instructor Education Program Chief

    SOI-E ITB MOUT/CQB Lead Instructor 

    SOI-E ITB IMC original instructor group

    SOI-E ITB original AMTP instructor group

  • Will Robinson, Field Support Rep

    Will Robinson graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Human Biology (Cum Laude) with a minor in Occupational Science.  As an NROTC student and collegiate student-athlete, he had the unique opportunity to observe and actively contribute to world-class organizations that led, trained, and executed at the highest levels of sport, education, and professional vocation.  Upon graduation, Will was commissioned as a Marine Officer and served in various company grade billets within the Military Police occupational field. 

    Following his active duty service, Will completed his graduate studies and earned a M.A. in Coaching & Athletic Administration.  He has continued implementing leadership training, executive coaching strategies, and performance-based developmental programming to a wide range of student-athletes and working professionals in a variety of sports and disciplines.  He is excited to use his background to positively shape future generations of armed professionals and competitive shooting sports.

  • Darin Ellington, Field Support Rep

    Former SSgt, USMC (0311)

    10 years Active duty

    60mm mortar section leader, 3rd Bn 4th Mar.

    Line Platoon Sergeant, 3rd Bn 4th Marines

    SOI-W IMC Alpha Company pilot course instructor

    SOI-W TSB marksmanship instructor

    SOI-W ITB Marksmanship Section SNCOIC and Lead AMTP Instructor 

    Curriculum Developer (MLF - Employ a service rifle 2023 ed.)

    Author of shooting packages used to train approximately 10,000 infantry students and 200 instructors. The latest edition is still currently in use. 

    OIC/RSO directly overseeing 15 million 5.56 rounds fired across multiple range complexes with Zero safety incidents

    ScoringTech FSR running over 100 IMA / RMA's and dozens of AMTP / IMTP  events. 

  • Joshua Cardenas, Field Support Rep

    8 years Active Duty USMC 

    Currently a Reservist under the IMA DET at

    Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, VA

    Member of the USMC Shooting Team

    Rifle and Pistol Distinguished 

    USPSA Grandmaster 

    IMTP/AMTP Instructor 

    Foreign Weapons Instructor 

    TECOM Instructor of the year (2024)

  • Austin Hill, Field Support Rep

    Former SSgt USMC (0352)

    10 Years Active Duty USMC Infantry

    Distinguished Rifle and Pistol Shooter

    GySgt. Carlos Hathcock Award Winner (2024)

    Coach of the Marine Corps Rifle Team

    Chief Instructor AMTP/IMTP

    Chief Instructor Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course