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.
Dan Finn
Dan is a Range Safety Officer for The Heritage Guild and has been around firearms for 30+ years. Dan teaches private lessons and is involved in our group lessons and events.
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.
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.
Robert Michell
Robert was raised with a love and respect for hunting and the shooting sports. Through the years he has competed in rifle, pistol, and shotgun. He became an NRA certified instructor and Range Safety Officer to share his enthusiasm and knowledge of shooting with others in a safe and responsible environment.
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.
Mitchell Repak
Mitch has been a certified archery instructor since 2016. He has been shooting recreational archery for over 10 years and has just recently started getting in to competitive 3D. Mitch is also an avid bow hunter. He is the head instructor at our Branchburg location. Mitch teaches the Beginner Archery and Crossbow classes as well as the Intermediate archery class. He loves the sport of archery and enjoys seeing people enjoying and getting involved in the sport.
Jim Shane
Jim wanted to be an instructor so that he could introduce new shooters to the sport and give them a proper foundation to build on, particularly as it pertains to safety. Teaching allows Jim to dispel misconceptions about the shooting sports and firearms in general and has enabled him to broaden his options at The Heritage Guild.
