Meet Our Instructors
Pete Morelli
Chief Firearms Instructor
Pete was first introduced to firearms at Norwich University where he trained with M-16s and M-60s. After Norwich, Pete became a member of law enforcement and served for 33 years. During that time, Pete was on the Derry Police Special Operations Unit and, eventually, became a SWAT team leader for the Southern NH Special Operations Unit. Pete has a true passion for teaching firearm safety. When Pete isn’t teaching, you can find him in the woods hunting or fishing.
Pat Cassidy
Senior Firearms Instructor
Pat has been an instructor at Granite State Indoor Range for over 6 years now. Before Pat was an instructor here, he served in the Army and as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer for 15 years. During his time as a Capitol Police Officer, Pat was selected to be a Capitol Police Firearms Instructor. Working as a firearms instructor inspired Pat and after retiring from the Capitol Police, he became a middle school science teacher (which he still is). Pat’s hobbies include golf, making craft cocktails, and building his own candle business.
Forrest Owen
Firearms Instructor
Forrest grew up shooting trap and skeet with his family. His uncle was an Olympic trap coach, and his cousin was on the USA Shooting Team. Naturally, this led to Forrest getting more involved with firearms and training. Forrest has now been an instructor with us for over a year and has already completed several high-level instructor courses. Aside from being an instructor, Forrest runs a residential real estate business with his wife. In the little spare time Forrest has, he enjoys playing tennis (which he played in college), ice skating (his wife was a collegiate figure skater), skiing, traveling, and woodworking.
Arrash Bitaraf
Firearms Instructor
Arrash is an Army Veteran of 12 years and has been training with rifles for over 25 years now. In 2004, Arrash was deployed to Iraq and did not retire until 2009. He taught firearms instruction informally in the military but it wasn’t until he started working here that he was doing it professionally. Arrash teaches all our Youth Safety and New Shooter classes. When Arrash isn’t working here he is busy being an administrator at Red Hat. On his days off, you can find Arrash hiking, working out, or playing video games with his kids.
Derek Puzzanghera
Firearms Instructor
Derek shot his first rifle at 8 years old and was hooked ever since. Present-day, Derek has a combined 13 years of Military/LEO experience. Derek has been teaching various weapon systems ranging from 9mm pistols to heavy machine guns since 2012 but it wasn’t until 2016 that he began taking his own training and instructing more seriously. Derek’s favorite part of being an instructor is giving people the confidence and tools to defend themselves. Derek’s strengths are working from concealment and pistol red dot instruction. Outside of work, you can find Derek traveling, hiking, climbing, and practicing Jiu-Jitsu.