SAMUEL MCCUE

FOUNDER/OWNER

Samuel was an avid distance runner in high school, passing on scholarships to run collegiately, and instead joined the United States Marine Corps. During ten years of active-duty service, he served as an Infantry Machine Gunner and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq on two separate occasions. After re-enlisting, he served on a special duty assignment as a Combat Instructor at the School of Infantry – West teaching principles of machine gun employment to entry level Marines. He finished his career as an Infantry Unit Leader, as well as a Black Belt – Instructor in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, before deploying in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Pacific.

Upon separating from the ranks of active duty, he moved to the Black Hills, where he focused on completing his B.S. in Sports and Health Science through American Military University. During that time, he earned certifications as a USAW Sports Performance Coach, his CrossFit – Level One and CrossFit Competitor certificates, while also completing an internship as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Mountain Tactical Institute in Jackson, Wyoming.

Once completing his degree, Samuel entered law enforcement, where he served for eight years with both county and state agencies. Throughout his law enforcement tenure, he served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor and advisor on the Use of Force Review Board, SWAT Sniper, and as a team member on several state and federal task forces aimed at criminal interdiction and fugitive apprehension. Samuel continues to compete in powerlifting and train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he currently holds a Blue Belt.

CATHERINE DANNER

DIRECTOR - BRAND STRATEGY

Catherine brings a unique blend of healthcare leadership, human performance, and community engagement to False Summit Defense. Raised in a home decorated in military service and achievement, she earned her Master of Healthcare Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina and has built a career centered on education, wellness, and operational excellence. 

A certified Pilates instructor with a passion for strength training and functional movement, Catherine specializes in improving mobility, injury resilience, and movement efficiency for athletes and tactical professionals.  Her extensive work travel and life experiences also provide a unique and highly sought after perspective on awareness, safety, and preparedness.

As the Director of Brand Strategy at False Summit Defense managing day-to-day operations, she is helping establish and grow the organization through strategic partnerships, sponsor relations, event planning, and educational programming. An avid strength athlete and gravel cyclist, she applies functional movement principles to real-world performance and tactical readiness, while fostering a welcoming, yet demanding high-performance training environment.