IDPA Names New Mid-Atlantic Area Coordinator

Why it matters: If you're shooting IDPA matches in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or DC, you've got a new boss—and this one actually knows what he's doing. Noel Gardner from Roanoke just took over as Area Coordinator, effective October 28th.

Gardner isn't some desk jockey who got handed the job. The guy's been grinding through IDPA since 2013, starting as a regular competitor at his local club in 2007. He earned his Safety Officer credentials in 2014, made Chief Safety Officer in 2016, and worked his way up to Match Director for the National Championship.

Between the lines: When someone gets promoted to run Nationals after serving as Assistant MD for four years, that tells you headquarters trusts them not to screw up their biggest event. Gardner will keep the Match Director role through 2026 at Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio.

Here's where it gets interesting—Gardner competes in damn near every division IDPA offers. We're talking CDP/MM, ESP/SS, SSP/SS, CCP/SS, CO/MM, REV/SS, BUG/MM, and PCC/MM. Either he's genuinely that versatile or has a gear problem that would make most of us jealous.

"I usually compete in SSP or PCC, but I shoot in all the divisions," Gardner said. That's not just talk—his match history backs it up.

The big picture: Gardner replaces Cody Claxton, who ran the Mid-Atlantic region for a decade. That's solid continuity from someone who knows both sides of the sport—running matches and actually shooting them.

Outside IDPA, Gardner works as a Deputy Fire Marshal for Roanoke Fire-EMS, where he's put in over 30 years. When he's not working or shooting, he collects motorcycles. So basically, he's got good taste in dangerous hobbies.

What's Actually Changing

Gardner's not coming in with some grand revolution. His goals are straightforward and practical:

• More sanctioned matches: The four-state area needs more opportunities for shooters to earn classification points
• Better safety officer pool: Can't run good matches without qualified SOs who know their stuff
• Regional resource: Be available when clubs need help with rules, disputes, or match organization

"I plan to promote IDPA across the region by being a resource to shooters," Gardner said. "I hope to bring more sanctioned matches to the area and work with the Safety Officer Instructors to provide a strong base of safety officers."

What this means for you: If you're shooting in the Mid-Atlantic region, you'll likely see more match opportunities and better-run events. Gardner's match admin experience means he understands what works and what doesn't.

The region's already been growing steadily, with clubs in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware running regular sanctioned matches. More events means more chances to improve your classification and prep for major matches without traveling halfway across the country.

The bottom line: IDPA just put someone in charge who actually shoots the sport and knows how to run matches. For shooters in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and DC, that's about as good as it gets.

Gardner emphasized he's available as a resource: "I am honored to be able to serve the shooting community in a new and challenging way. If you have any question or I can help you in any way, please reach out to me."

You can contact him through IDPA headquarters or catch him at matches throughout the region—assuming he's not too busy switching between his eight different division setups.

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Read the original article in The Handbook | By BGC Staff

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Join the Discussion

Has anyone here competed in IDPA matches in the Mid-Atlantic region, and what would you want to see improved or expanded under new leadership?