The Gripknife Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Founder & CEO
Daniel Caldwell
A visionary leader with an unyielding passion for adventure and innovation, Daniel Caldwell has built a legacy in turning bold ideas into global successes. As the co-founder and former CEO of the iconic Mixed Martial Art brand Tapout, he scaled it from humble beginnings to a $300M powerhouse in the combat sports industry. Leveraging his disciplined background as a Law Enforcement Officer with the LAPDS, he infuses resilience and strategic precision into every venture. Now a key partner in BKFC, Dan excels at navigating the thrill of serial entrepreneurship, mastering every facet of brand development--from concept to market domination--to create enduring, high-impact enterprises.​

Product Strategist, Project Manager, & Inventor
Michael Rice
A graduate from Kent State University in Business Administration with a proven track record in transforming research-driven concepts into market-leading products, Michael excels at assembling high-performance teams to deliver scalable, manufacturable solutions that drive exceptional shareholder value through robust profit margins. He masterminds end-to-end strategies--from ideation to production and multi-channel marketing--ensuring rapid go-to-market success and sustainable growth in competitive landscapes.

Chief Engineer
Shane Tully
Shane is a technical master and innovator who bridges engineering excellence with cutting-edge machine learning to solve complex challenges. As Chief Egnineer, he architechs scalable systems and leads groundbreaking projects that drive efficiency ande innovation. With a proven expertise in advanced engineering and machine technologies, Shane transforms visionary concepts into robust, real-world solutions, fueling growth and competitive advantage in dynamic industries.

Product Specialist
Rich Graham
A battLe-tested innovator and elite trainer, Rich Graham leverages his distinguished service as a Navy SEAL Team 10 Operator and Sniper to design cutting-edge products and training programs that redefine combat readiness. As the founder of Full Spectrum Warrior--a holistic system built on 12 pillars of warrior philosophy--he has empowered thousands of civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel worldwide with dynamic, real-world skills since 2008. With a track record that includes training security forces for the 2004 Olympics, overseeing high-stakes security teams, and creating the Navy SEAL Kettlebell DVD series, Rich excels at blending tactical expertise with product innovation to drive peak performance. His appearances on the covers of numerous publications and leadership roles, such as President of Home Front K9 Project, underscore his commitment to excellence and impact competitive, high-risk environments.

Director of Product
Chris McKinley
A decorated combat veteran and multifaceted leader, Chris McKinley draws on his elite experience as a U.S. Navy SEAL (18-Delta Special Forces Medic) with extensive close-quarters combat operations across global theaters to drive innovation in product management and high-stakes consulting. After retiring from service, he earned a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and now serves as a preventive medicine specialist while leading Intracoastal Medical Solutions, PLLC, and Coastline Wellness, LLC, focusing on functional medicine, wellness, ketamine therapy, hormone replacement, and weight loss programs. As the founder of INVICTVS Group—a Special Operations Consulting Consortium—he provides strategic expertise to elite clients, blending tactical precision with business acumen. Chris is also a best-selling author of “Undaunted: Life’s Toughest Battles Are Not Always Fought in a War Zone,” an inspirational memoir, and a musician with released singles like “American.” His diverse career extends to film and television, including acting roles, technical advising, and appearances in documentaries, showcasing his adaptability and leadership in dynamic environments.

Director of Graphic Design
Mark Allen
A visionary art director and designer with a profound blend of creative expertise and philosophical insight, Mark Allen transforms concepts into compelling visual narratives that captivate audiences in competitive landscapes. Holding a B.F.A. in Communication Design and Art Direction, a seminary degree in philosophical theology, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy with a concentration in the philosophy of art, aesthetics, and modern art history, he serves as a senior lecturer and director of the Temerlin Creative Program at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts. There, he inspires students to craft award-winning designs, featured in outlets like Lürzer’s Archive, Adweek, The Art Directors Club, and CMYK Magazine, while facilitating placements at premier brands and agencies through immersive experiences like New York City agency tours and portfolio exhibitions.
Professionally, Mark has delivered standout work for iconic clients including the New York Yankees, History Channel, HBO, The Walking Dead, Martha Stewart, Smithsonian, and the U.S. National Parks Service, earning recognition for creative and strategic excellence from prestigious awards such as the Clios, Graphis, and American Advertising Awards. His commitment to craftsmanship, beauty, and ethical design principles underscores a relentless pursuit of excellence, thriving in high-stakes, high-risk environments where perfectionism and innovative storytelling drive impactful branding and lasting cultural resonance.
