Adding to the diverse experience of the Armed Women of America’s Board of Directors is the newest director elected earlier this month: Patricia “Tricia” Tjark Reiss, from Montana.

“We are excited to have Tricia joining the Board of Directors,” said AWA Board President Michelle Camp of Utah. “Tricia has been a part of AWA since our early days and brings considerable experience to the board.”

She is a seasoned instructor with multiple NRA/USCCA and Montana State Instructor certifications with more than 1,200 certificate hours of firearms and related training. She has taught more than 4,000 students in Basic and Intermediate Handgun classes and has certified over 100 Range Safety Officers. She has previously worked as an executive

When Tricia began her firearms journey in 2009, she saw the need to help women find concealment options that were not readily available, and to offer training opportunities where women felt safe and confident. She created the first Women’s Concealed Carry Holster Fashion Show (WCCHFS), which became an annual event sponsored by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. Carrie Lightfoot, founder of The Well Armed Woman, LLC and TWAW Shooting Chapters, Inc. was the keynote speaker for the second event. After meeting Carrie, Tricia began her first AWA/TWAW Chapter in New York in 2013.

Tricia has served as a match director for the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), and her articles have appeared in IDPA Tactical Journal. In 2016 Tricia and her husband moved out west, and she soon started her second TWAW/AWA chapter in Southwest Montana.

One of her most rewarding accomplishments is the Montana Maggie’s Female Training Group that she formed in 2019 to help develop Range Safety Officers to volunteer for the AWA Chapter that she leads. The Maggies are all AWA Members and volunteers who attend weekly practice to improve their personal shooting skills and become better equipped to assist the AWA members. Tricia also currently works as the lead female firearms Instructor for her host range.

Tricia is a Second Amendment advocate and understands the importance of “showing up” to make your voice heard. She attends legislative meetings with the Montana Shooting Sports Association, and in 2021 she served as the Montana Assistant State Director for the DC Project/Women for Gun Rights.

Tricia is a proud military mom of two career Navy Chief sons, two daughters, one stepdaughter, and five grandchildren. She enjoys exploring the “Last Best Place” and appreciating the handiwork of God especially in big sky country.

She joins existing directors, President Michelle Camp (UT), Treasurer Jamie Green (AR) and Secretary Toni Gleeson (AZ).