Meet Our Instructors
Matthew S. Vollers
Head Trainer of Training and Education for the Heritage Guild Training Academy
Matt, like his peers, has grown up around firearms thanks to his family's strong interest and background in hunting, collecting firearms, and target shooting. Matt is an NRA Certified Instructor in First Steps and Basic Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun. Matt is also an NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, certified to teach Personal Protection Inside and Outside the Home, as well as Shot Shell and Metallic Cartridge Reloading. He has worked with fellow NRA Instructors to modify law enforcement and military tactical training courses for civilian use. "I found I've loved teaching people how to become more confident with a firearm."
Will Carvounis
Will served with New Jersey State Police for over 15 years being assigned to several specialized units including the Tactical Patrol and Executive Protection Units. During this time he gained experience working internationally with several Federal Agencies and Military Branches. Will taught as a Firearms and Tactics instructor for the Pistol, Shotgun, Carbine, and Submachine Gun disciplines in addition to other Tactical Skills such as Low Light, Active shooter, and Force on Force Training. Will competed regularly on the IDPA and GSSF tours and is an avid hunter enjoying domestic and international travel hunting. Will brings this experience to the customer through the Heritage Experience Program helping the customer accomplish their sporting and defensive goals.
Chris Freitag
Chris is a US army veteran with two years experience in the infantry. He had developed a passion and respect for firearms and enjoys both shooting and sharing the experience with others. Chris is a Certified NRA handgun instructor where he takes pride in teaching others to safely handle and shoot various firearms.
Rich Gajda
Rich has been a firearms instructor since 1998 and trains over 100 students a year. He is an NRA-certified to instruct pistol, rifle, shotgun, and range safety. Rich collects, displays, and does formal public presentations on historic firearms. He competes in NRA Bulls-eye, USPSA, and historic arms competitions. In addition to coaching experienced shooters, Rich enjoys training new shooters, getting them safe, proficient, and prepared for future firearms sports and activities.
Shane Humphrey
Shane Humphrey is a former Special Police Officer from Hampton VA, an avid pistol shooter, and NRA certified Firearms Instructor. He enjoys the shooting sports and instructing new and experienced shooters in the various aspects of firearms. Shane looks forward to meeting you in one of the many Heritage Guild Firearms classes.
Justin Kozero
Justin love guns. Coming from fours years in the US Army, he was in the infantry during his time of service. During his time at the Heritage Guild, he became a Range Safety Officer (RSO) and is now a NRA Pistol instructor. Justin shared, "My goal is to pass knowledge about firearms and firearms safety. I love knowing that at the end of the day, somebody will obtain the skill and knowledge to become a safe and responsible gun owner."
Jerry Kuntz
Jerry has been a certified archery instructor since 2016. He has been shooting recreational archery for over 50 years and has been shooting competitive 3D for 5 years. Jerry is also an avid whitetail bow hunter. He is an instructor at our Branchburg location. Jerry teaches the Beginner Archery and Crossbow classes.
Ed Natale
Ed had an early start hunting and shooting with his family at four years old. Adding to his shooting sports experience, he began to specialize in all facets of hunting in Pennsylvania and New Jersey including Deer, Waterfowl, Small Game, and Archery. Ed serves as Lieutenant with the Milford New Jersey Fire Company and has continued his Tactical firearms training shooting regularly with active and retired Law Enforcement and competing in the world of Three Gun. Having over four years in the firearms retail industry, Ed continues to express his love of shooting sports and world of firearms every day.
Samantha (Sam) Rodden
A certified archery instructor with USA Archery, Sam's journey with archery actually stemmed from her love of books (House of Night, P.C. & Kristin Cast) and from there, she went on to take courses in archery and eventually to get her Certification. Sam is The Heritage Guild's primary archery instructor and teaches Beginner Archery in the Branchburg location. She enjoys getting to know her students and teaching them how fun archery can be!
Jack Sweeney
Jack is a four year veteran of the Marine Corps where he served in the infantry. Jack has had the opportunity to be trained on a variety of firearms platforms as well as shooting styles and has a great passion for all things firearms. He is a NRA certified pistol instructor and strives to get better everyday.
John Vallen
John started at The Heritage Guild in 2015. He is the lead Range Safety Officer and an NRA Certified Instructor. John has been around firearms all his life and served in the NYC Transit Police in the 80's. His family was all military, from World War II to Vietnam. John loves his job and where he does it. John gets incredible fulfillment from instructing and watching shooters improve which shows him what he knows and his ability to transfer his knowledge and experience to someone else.
