TEAM LEADS | Master Proven

OUR TEAM LEADERS

MASTER SERGEANT GRADY BURRELL

Master Sergeant Grady Burrell, US Army (Ret) is a lifelong outdoorsmen who served 20 years in the US Army. He served in a number of billets beginning with Military Police, Company Armorer, Recruiting and Retention NCO, MP Investigator, Recruiter and Dept. of the Army Senior Advisor. Grady has met and studied with knife designers in Germany, Japan, Singapore, Peru, Colombia, Austria, Afghanistan, England, Mexico and Canada. He owns a home and workshop in Tok, Alaska (the coldest inhabitable city in the USA), allowing him to test knives, firearms and other kit in extreme cold weather conditions. Since his retirement Grady has served as a Military Liaison, Government LE Representative, Director and Vice President (respectively) for three US Military Contracting Companies. His most unique experience may have been meeting King Abdullah II of Jordan and advising him on equipping his military—the King was a Sandhurst-trained soldier, and extremely well versed in military tactics and operations. Working with him on

the subject of equipment was both challenging and rewarding. Grady is a longtime fan of NASCAR and MMA fighting, and enjoys trout fishing when he can.

MASTER SERGEANT BRIAN HEISHMAN

Master Sergeant Brian Heishman, USMC (Ret) is a retired Marine with 5 years in the infantry and 16 years in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Mr Heishman has over 28 years working with explosives and has extensive experience and knowledge in physical security, humanitarian demining, explosive ordnance, demolitions, breaching techniques, and explosive safety. While in the Marines, Brian served with 5 US Special Forces units in Cambodia and Laos teaching Humanitarian Demining. Brian has twice deployed to North Vietnam as the ordnance specialist for Joint Task Force Full Accounting. Brian has spent 4 of the last 6 years in Iraq. He has trained hundreds of US, Coalition and Iraqi forces on IED’s and explosive detection. He still travels the world training explosive properties and explosive detection techniques.

MASTER SERGEANT RICHARD WOODRUFF

Master Sergeant (Ret) Richard Woodruff, US Army, enlisted in 1988 as an 11B Infantryman. He did 21 years before retiring, serving in several light/airborne/LRSD units with 3 deployments to Iraq, 1 to Africa and 1 to Kuwait. He currently works as a Designated Defensive Marksman on a PSD detail at a deployed location.

Among the units MSG Woodruff served in were 3RD BN/325THAirborne BCT, 3RD BN/505TH PIR, LRSD 25TH ID, TF 1 Opns Group Ft. Polk and the National Police Transition Team Samarra Iraq. He has been an infantry team and squad leader, infantry platoon sergeant, LRSD surveillance platoon sergeant, Battalion and Brigade Operations NCO and Transition Team Operations NCO. He has a number of schools and decorations under his belt, including the Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Unit Armorer, PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, Emergency Medical Technician Course, Rappel Master,

SPIES/FRIES Master, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger School, Sniper School, and the Combat Advisor Course. Decorations earned include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award) Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Bronze Star (Two Awards), MSM (Two Awards) and many others.

CAPTAIN ROBERT PHIFER, MASTER FITNESS TRAINER

Captain Rob Phifer started his career in the USMC and worked his way up through the enlisted ranks until receiving a commission as a 2nd LT in 2007. Rob has over 20 years of service ranging from intel operations with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Security Force Operations with the ANG 122nd Fighter Wing and is currently serving in the Army National Guard. Rob is an endurance sports enthusiast who has completed multiple full distance Ironman Triathlons as well as numerous ultramarathons. Among other service related awards, Rob has been awarded 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, and an Airforce Achievement Medal along with a Volunteer Service Medal.

GW AYERS

GW was a career soldier, retiring from the Army after 22 years of service. He served in the 2nd ACR, 3RD ACR, 116TH Infantry Regiment, 3-7 CAV, 1-7 CAV, US Army Recruiting Command and 214 CAV 1st brigade 25th Infantry regiment (Stryker). During the course of his career he attended numerous leadership schools, including all those that were rank and MOS specific along with Lvl 2 CT and FEMA Operations. He deployed to OIF 3 and 4 and has served in all NCO billets that a recon specialist can hold, including as a Scout Platoon sergeant. GW was one of the first senior enlisted advisors posted to an Iraqi infantry battalion and served as a tactical HUMINT supervisor on the ground in Iraq. He is a passionate Harley lover, currently riding a Street Glide 2010.

SCOTT SHAFFER

Scott has background in tactical response and canine handling and is a current member of a Southern California Law Enforcement Agency SWAT team and Canine Unit Officer. As a previous member of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Scott gained a wealth of knowledge in the tracking and apprehension of high-risk fugitives using investigation and surveillance.

He has a diverse background in tactical law enforcement operations that include: certificated Arrest and Control Instructor, Weaponless Defense Instructor (Multiple Levels), Academy Instructor Course, Tactical Breacher, Canine Basic Handler, Canine Narcotics Detection, Intermediate SWAT School, Simunitions Instructor, Tactical Canine Course, Special Impact Munitions Instructor, Advanced Handgun, Low Light

Pistol, Commercial Vehicle Narcotics Interdiction, Defensive Handgun (I & II), Range Master/Firearms Instructor School and Tactical Carbine.

DILLON DAMARIN

Dillon has a unique background within the sporting goods industry. He has been involved in the industry since a very young age. He is constantly looking for better gear to use in the field as an avid bowhunter. He does not only have skill and experience in compound and traditional archery, but rifle and shotgun hunting as well. Often hunting in extreme weather and rugged terrain, the gear he uses is taking a beating. With all of these aspects, Dillon brings a new side to Master Proven gear for the outdoor enthusiast.