Get to know your instructors

Meet our Training Department

At our facility, you will find a team of highly trained and enthusiastic instructors, passionate about elevating your shooting skills to new heights. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to gain confidence or an advanced shooter aiming for perfection, we have you covered. Our instructors are dedicated to providing top-notch guidance and support, both in group classes and private lessons. No matter your level of experience, our goal is to help you reach your full potential and become a more skilled and confident marksman. Join us on the firing line and unlock your shooting prowess under the expert guidance of our exceptional instructors.

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Mandi Ruffin: Director of Training

Mandi is the Director of the Training Department at The Range Austin. With a background in special education and curriculum development spanning over 10 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Prior to assuming the director position, Mandi served as a firearms instructor, a role she continues to fulfill by offering private lessons and teaching the New Pistol Shooter class. She firmly believes in building a strong foundation of firearms safety, using it as a cornerstone to cultivate safe and effective shooters. Mandi especially enjoys working with women and children, empowering them to develop confidence, proficiency, and responsible firearm skills.

Certifications: License to Carry (LTC) Instructor, USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamaentals Instructor

To book a lesson with Mandi, contact her directly at mandi.ruffin@therangeaustin.com or click HERE.

Garrett Jester: Lead Instructor

Garrett comes from a varied professional background that includes performing arts, high ropes instruction, and EMS. Since joining The Range in 2018, he has continuously developed his firearms skillset and shared his knowledge with students and staff. He is both an NRA Certified Instructor as well as a Texas DPS LTC Instructor. Garrett believes that the best way to train his students is to help them assemble a “toolbox” of different techniques and disciplines to support their needs. His particular focus is on self-defense and defensive theory. When not teaching, he also enjoys building and modifying his own firearms. Whether you’re looking to establish foundational skills, gain greater technical knowledge about your firearm, or polish up existing technique, Garrett is invested in making sure you perform to the best of your ability.

Frank Tooker

Frank has been involved in training safe and practical shooting skills to others since 2011. He is a certified NRA Pistol and Rifle Instructor, a certified NRA Range Safety Officer and is a certified Instructor through the Institute of Homeland Security and Training. He is also a certified TX DPS License to Carry Instructor, Texas PSB Level 3 Security Instructor, and certified LEOSA instructor. He has over 30 years of experience and training with some of the best units in the US Army, multiple Police Agencies, and private sources. He has competed in USPSA, IPSC and 3 Gun events for the last 20 years.

MARCUS SMITH

Marcus is an experienced shooter who gained his knowledge over a combined 21-year career. His career started in the US Air Force as a Security Forces member, with two deployments to Iraq, and ended as TCOLE certified Texas Peace officer. He has a passion for training new and beginner firearms owners. He enjoys watching them grow from being unfamiliar or nervous with firearms to being confident and having the skills/knowledge to practice what they are learning between lessons.

BILL GO

Bill is a retired U.S. Marine officer with over 30 years’ experience instructing tactical firearms and tactics to military, law enforcement and civilian clients. A former Blackwater/Academi contractor and staff instructor, he was the 2006 Blackwater Instructor of the Year. He is an avid practical pistol competitor, currently classified as an IDPA Master (Stock Service Pistol, Enhanced Service Pistol) and USPSA “A” (Production). Bill has trained with some of the best-known names in the industry, including Pat Rogers, Louis Awerbuck, Larry Vickers, Mike Pannone, Paul Howe and Ernest Langdon and he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with staff and students. His other qualifications include EMT and Texas LTC Instructor.

ENRICO VENDITTI

Rico is a seasoned shooting instructor with over a decade of firearms experience and a four-year degree in Historical Studies and Research. Blending technical proficiency with a deep understanding of firearms’ usage, mechanics, and historical context, Rico offers tailored instruction to students of all skill levels. His passion for gun ownership and commitment to ongoing research makes Rico a respected and integral part of the instructional staff at The Range at Austin.

Thomas brings 21 years of combined military and civilian law enforcement service to his community and country. Thomas began his Army career as a Combat Engineer, and later went on to re-class to Military Police for the Virginia Army National Guard. During his military career, Thomas participated in 2 deployments: Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Other notable experience includes mission planning and execution, executive protection work, and entry breaching operations (explosive, mechanical, etc.) Thomas has trained with the US Army Marksmanship Unit and shot competitively in state and national competitions. His civilian law enforcement career includes two local law enforcement agencies: Arlington County Police Department in Virginia, and Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Texas. In the private sector as a software consultant and project manager (PMP).

Thomas is a Certified LTC Instructor and NRA Instructor for Pistol, Chief Range Officer, CCW, Protection Inside & Outside the Home.