Tom Severin, President Badlands Off-Road Adventures

Tom Severin is an International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association certified professional 4WD Trainer and a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). He is an instructor for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and the California Association of 4WD Clubs. As a former Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer for the State of Pennsylvania, his duties included law enforcement activities, game stocking; public relations and speaking; hunter education; landowner relations; small animal complaints and highway-killed deer retrieval.

He has an extensive background (forty plus years experience) with four-wheel drive vehicles, on and off road, in various conditions and countries. He imported a Jeep while living in England and used it on vacation in France.

Tom is a graduate of Purdue University and a recognized expert in shared service accounting management and management information systems. Tom is an accomplished leader with a comprehensive background directing global support centers processing high volume transactions and high volumes of customer interactions. He was a presenter for the 1996 International Conference on the Study of Work Teams and was a frequent speaker on self-directed work team concepts.

Badlands Off-Road Adventures offers 4WD training and 4WD guided tours specializing in Four Wheel Drive vehicles. The company has trained hundreds of students, including the Orange County (CA) Sheriff’s Department, the Gas Company, the National Park Service, and the US Marine Corps.

Badlands Off-Road Adventures strives to provide instruction in a friendly, casual, non-judgmental environment. Non-lethal mistakes are encouraged as a way to learn under the watchful eyes of the instructor.

Excerpt from Death Valley Excursion: An Overland Adventure with the Right Mix of Guide and People
Story by Denis Snow
Off Road Adventure Magazine August 2013

Picking the right 4WD guided tour operator is like picking your friends. You want them to be intelligent, loyal, trustworthy, knowledgeable and easy to be around; because for the duration of your adventure, they are the ones you’ll be depending on to: lead the way, set the pace, be your spotter, help with trail repairs, be the source of information on every rock, plant, crawly thing, and safety as well as on the human and geological history of the area, AND tell great stories around the campfire. (Click here to read the full article )

Tom Severin, President of Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc. is just such a tour operator. In business for 19 years, he is an International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association certified professional 4WD Trainer and a Wilderness First Responder among many other certifications. He’s obviously, very knowledgeable and leads several excursions throughout the year as well as conducting clinics on such subjects as: beginning off-roading, basic to advanced winching, tire repair on the trail, wilderness first aid, etc. He also frequently emails out various articles covering subjects like: Building Your Own First Aid Kit, Reading the Weather, Keep Recovery Gear Accessible, etc., and other valuable advice, tips for safe wheeling, new gear reviews, inside hints on upcoming events, etc. You can sign up for these at: https://www.4x4training.com/w/contact-us/.

---

Rick Anderson, Instructor Badlands Off-Road Adventures

Rick has a significant background (thirty plus years experience) with four-wheel drive vehicles, on and off road, primarily in desert environments.

Rick is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara (B.S. Chemistry) and the University of California Davis (Ph.D. Chemistry). His professional career spans more than forty years creating some 27 rapid diagnostic products for clinical laboratory use in both hospital and doctor’s offices, including one of the earliest Point of Care rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 antigen testing. He is a named inventor on 23 patents and patent applications and an author on 15 scientific journal articles.

 

---

Bruce Bogart, Instructor Badlands Off-Road Adventures

Working with Badlands Off-Road for 12 years, Bruce (Slim) is an instructor and guide for Badlands Off-Road Adventures. He had guided over 15 multi-day trips on the Rubicon trail.

Bruce has a Bachelors degree in business. He has been operating off road vehicles for almost 30 years.

Prior to development of his four-wheeling addiction, he was an executive with an investment company and subsequently a real estate agent in the Beach Cities.

He is now a successful auto mechanic specializing in exotic and 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Bruce is the recipient of the prestigious Liars Club award recognizing excellence in campfire truths.

---

Mike Moutes, Instructor Badlands Off-Road Adventures

A Southern California native Mike started his outdoor adventures at an early age.
After attending CSUN Mike pursued a career in the commercial construction industry.
A retired licensed building contractor in California and Hawaii, Mike now enjoys working with
guests in the Badlands classes, touring with them in the outback and wrenching on his Jeeps.
A licensed ham operator and certified in Wilderness First Aid, Mike continues his education in all
aspects of off-road life.

	Tom is Master Tread Trainer Certified which is the highest level of training available through Tread Lightly. Please contact Badlands Off-Road Adventures if you would like Tread Trainer training for your club.
	International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association The mission of the International 4-Wheel Drive Trainers Association (I4WDTA) is to set the highest level of standards to promote safe and professional 4-wheel drive training.
	United Four Wheel Drive Associations Protecting, Promoting, and Providing 4×4 opportunities worldwide Through the UFWDA 4WD Awareness program, UFWDA has trained and introduced thousands of four wheelers on the components of their 4×4 vehicle, proper off-highway driving techniques, proper vehicle recovery, courtesies related to four wheeling, and environmental awareness utilizing the Tread Lightly! philosophy.
	Wilderness First Responder by Wilderness Medical Associates This 8-day (72 hour) course is the industry standard for outdoor professionals. The course is recommended for outdoor professionals as well as outdoor recreationalists who lead adventure trips and those who are in the backcountry for days or weeks and may have to care for a patient for days Wilderness First Responder courses developed by Wilderness Medical Associates are widely considered the most complete medical training for outdoor professionals.