Youngsville Gun Club & Range is committed to providing the most in-depth firearms training in the Raleigh area. In addition, we boast the best instructors and most entertaining environment you can possibly train in. As a result, you’ll be glad you made the investment in YGC firearms training!
Deen Alexander
Range and traning manager
Deen is a firearms industry professional with a unique background that includes military service and extensive experience in the firearms industry. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, He developed an early interest in firearms and their use, which led him to pursue a career in the military.
Deen served a total of 14 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, where he gained valuable experience in firearms handling, training, and tactical operations. During his military service, he developed a strong sense of discipline, attention to detail, and leadership skills that he now brings to his work in the firearms industry.
After leaving the military, Deen turned his passion for firearms into a career. For the past 11 years, he has worked in the firearms industry, gaining extensive knowledge of firearms and their use, as well as developing skills in sales, customer service, and marketing. Deen is committed to providing his clients with the highest level of service and expertise, whether they are experienced firearms owners or new to the industry.
In his free time, Deen enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He also volunteers his time to organizations that support veterans and the firearms industry. Deen is proud to have served his country and looks forward to continuing to serve his community through his work in the firearms industry.
Bridget Walker
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
From no firearms experience to passing her conceal carry test in 2 weeks, Bridget Walker has been excited to learn about firearms performance and safety for a dozen years. After past work experience in the medical field and college athletics, Bridget is excited to join the YGC family and welcome all people with a passion for practical, tactical fun to the range. Serving as membership director, Bridget will lead the team on establishing a membership culture where everyone gets the most out of what the facility has to offer. She would love to discuss membership benefits with anyone looking for a place to learn, train, and build a community.
Bridget lives in Youngsville with her husband, Thomas, and their son, George. Her favorite firearm is her FN Reflex and she most looks forward to continuing her firearms education with the classes YGC offers.
CHRISTIAN BECK
ONLINE SALES MANAGER
BIO COMING SOON
jody NESSELROTTE
GUNSMITHING
BIO COMING SOON
Darryl Evans
INSTRUCTOR
I am NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer. Life member of the NRA and the USCCA. I am also a current member and employee of YGC.
I can provide over 47 years’ experience in Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun. I shoot competitively and provide Private instruction, Basic Handgun, Defensive Handgun and enjoy teaching NC CCH classes, while providing a positive atmosphere for all levels of students.
I hold a 3rd Dan Black Belt in TAE KWON DO and use this experience to help students with situational awareness and other important factors for self-defense.
Shelley Esposito
INSTRUCTOR
With over 15 years of shooting experience and 12 years of firearms training experience, Shelley brings a real-world approach to her classes and lessons. Shelley served as a police officer with the City of Durham and maintains reserve LEO status to keep her skills sharp. With her current and previous work in law enforcement, she can bring a dynamic and defensive mindset and approach to self-defense shooting, making her personal lessons exciting, interesting, and as realistic as possible. She shows students not only how to be prepared, but also why being prepared is so important. She weaves real-life scenarios into every training session providing students a way to get the most out of their time on the range. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Shelley appreciates how differently women learn and how they want to be taught. With the numerous training courses that Shelley has developed and taken over the years, she can bridge the gap between learning the fundamentals of shooting and becoming confidently prepared to carry a handgun for self-defense. Shelley has a genuine passion for watching her students grow in their abilities and confidence.
Bruce Kaplan
INSTRUCTOR
Education:
B.S. in Physical Education, M.A. Health Education
Related work experience:
Teaching and coaching
Volunteer Deputy Town Marshall in Indiana
5 years teaching Basic Handgun Fundamentals
5 years RSO (Range Safety Officer)
Certificates:
NRA certified in Basic Handgun Fundamentals and Range Safety
Though I only taught and coached for a few years, I love to teach, whether it’s a class or an individual.
I especially enjoy taking new shooters, teaching safety and fundamentals and taking them to being comfortable handling a firearm. It’s my objective in teaching Basic Handgun Fundamentals to make my students want more instruction and to be more confident coming to the range to shoot on their own.
Sean Newton
INSTRUCTOR
Over 30 years in Law Enforcement. I am originally from Upstate NY. I was a firearms instructor in NY. I teach for a local police academy. I am currently an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor and an NC Concealed Carry instructor. I enjoy teaching the legal part of CCH as legal issues and the use of force is what I teach at the academy.
Jonathan "Jon" Lapidow, LTC (R) US Army
INSTRUCTOR
Jon grew up in Hillsborough, NJ where he spent his childhood with his younger brother, Mike and sister, Becky – as the son of COL Stanley and Ruth Lapidow.
Jon began his military career in 1989 and became an officer in 1993. His primary job as an officer was as a Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot. Jon deployed to combat in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005.
Academically, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University, followed by a Master’s in Homeland Security & Emergency Management. After his deployment to Iraq, he returned to Rutgers University as the Assistant Professor of Military Science, teaching potential future Army officers in the ROTC Program.
His last four years in the military were as the NJ Counter Drug Task Force Commander. In this post, he led an Aviation Detachment and 40 Intel Analysts to support the FBI, DEA, ICE, State, and Local Agencies against the scourge of Fentanyl on our streets.
Jon honorably retired in 2019, after 30 years of serving our Country. As a result, he moved from NJ to Franklin County, with his wife, Chrissie. This is when he officially started his career as a Certified Firearms Instructor.
Jon’s goal as an Instructor at YGC is to provide realistic, evidence-based, and practical firearms training to the public at-large. His mission is to create a quality mindset and skillset that his students can incorporate into their daily activities.
His objective is to prepare students of ALL backgrounds, experience-level, and capability, the attitude and tools necessary to counter the growing threat in today’s modern society.
Jon’s training philosophy is designed to incorporate evolving societal standards, yet still provide fun, safe, and effective training to our customer base!
Paige Klas
INSTRUCTOR
Paige discovered her love of firearms during a random night out with a friend in early 2019. Looking for something interesting to do they found a nearby gun range and decided to give shooting a try. They were warmly welcomed and instructed in the basics. By her third visit, Paige was completely hooked and applied for a job. Due to her limited knowledge, she started at guest services and began training with several instructors. Before the end of her first year, she received her Range Safety Officer credential through the NRA.
During the first two years of the pandemic, Paige noted the number of individuals who were buying a gun for the first time. Most of those she spoke to had never fired a gun before and they mirrored how she felt just a few years before when she was new to the firearm community. Wanting others to love the sport as much as she did, Paige became an NRA-certified Pistol and Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor. Helping others to become safe, proficient, and responsible gun owners is Paige’s way of serving her community.
In addition to teaching several different classes and private instructions, Paige also enjoys co-leading YGC’s Guns & Gals program. Knowing that Paige and her partner, Shelley Esposito, help women of all ages develop the confidence and skills needed to defend themselves and their families gives her a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Tommy Grasso
INSTRUCTOR
Thomas J. Grasso is a highly decorated Green Beret with over two decades of U.S. Army Special Forces experience, now specializing as a firearms instructor. His extensive training and commendations, including the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor, highlight his expertise.
As a Technical Advisor, Thomas enhanced mission effectiveness for US Government clients. He now brings this precision and safety focus to his firearms instruction.
Thomas holds a BA in Sociology from Western New England University and has pursued advanced studies in Education. His distinguished career and dedication to excellence make him an exceptional firearms instructor.
eD fLETCHER
INSTRUCTOR
Ed is a NRA certified Pistol, Personal Protection, and Range Safety Officer (RSO), as well as a certified instructor by the USCCA (United States Concealed Carry Association). He is certified by the NC Department of Justice to teach the NC Concealed Carry Certification and is also H&K full auto certified.
He has instructed firearms for several years to include YGC since the range opened in March of 2023. His previous instruction included Triangle Shooting Academy in Brier Creek and at the Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center in Apex.
RIAN FREEMAN
INSTRUCTOR
Rian spent 3 years in the USANG as an Infantryman and has been involved in the firearms realm for over 10 years. He is certified under the USCCA and the NRA, holding a total of six licenses for instruction in rifle, pistol, defense, and safety. With extensive experience in competitive shooting and years of tactical training, Rian has a wide scope of knowledge to teach you just about anything you want to know. He loves working with both new students and experienced individuals looking to improve their skills.
Antonio Seward
INSTRUCTOR
BIO COMING SOON!
