As an introduction to our valued staff and key people here at Brays, this blog series offers insight into the people that help shape our tight-knit community each and every day.
Justin Rhoten is a professionally certified Level II NSCA Shooting Instructor, and an integral part of the Brays Island community. As the Director of Shooting Sports, Justin manages our Gun Club, which includes a 15-station sporting clays course originally designed by Holland and Holland, FITASC, skeet, trap, five stand, a rifle range, a pistol range, and an archery course.
Justin has been with Brays Island for 17 years, and brings a wealth of knowledge to our Gun Club. Providing everything from gear outfitting to private instruction, he helps Owners meet their goals on the clays course and in the field.
What is your background?
I’ve been at Brays Island Plantation for 17 years this May. Like most kids I grew up outside, playing sports, exploring, fishing, camping, traveling, and that carried through high school and college. After I graduated from Miami University, I moved to Colorado where my love of the outdoors only grew. I enjoyed shooting before I started working at Brays Island, but never received any shooting instruction. I learned how to shoot properly, then began to enjoy it even more after beginning my journey as an NSCA Shooting Instructor and currently have a Level II Certification.
What are some of the things you do for Owners?
That’s the great thing about Brays Island – we really do it all! I help introduce Owners to our shooting sports, from just a casual conversation at another event on property, to basic equipment knowledge and function, shooting fundamentals, techniques, practice habits, and instruction to every level of shooting ability. I believe a good shooter is one of any skill level who is willing to learn and improve their game at any time. I help people find the right gun and fit for their shooting activities as well as all the ammunition and accessories they may need. I set targets on all of our shooting sports venues and oversee the upkeep and maintenance of our beautiful grounds. Planning and executing events of all shapes and sizes that cater to every shooting level is an extremely important part of what we do here.
Whether it’s a handful of new young shooters or hundreds of experienced shooters like our Outdoor and Shooting Exposition, they are all equally important to those participating so they have to be important to us. I really do it all from weed eating and cleaning up clays, to wearing a suit and tie to Board meetings. Most shooting instructors at any reputable club will do many things, but it's all the extra stuff that I and the other Brays’ employees do that sets us apart. Some of that includes fixing flat tires, sitting with new hunters in deer stands, delivering shells and even installing gun safes in Owners’ homes.
What is your favorite thing about working at Brays and the community here?
We tell new people about the area, where to shop and eat, I’ve hung pictures at peoples’ houses and even rescued a dog stuck 20 feet up in an oak tree in someone’s yard. Brays Island is truly a community where we all help each other regardless of our role here. Over the years I’ve gone above and beyond to do some pretty amazing things for people because it’s really just the right thing to do – especially when you work at a place that does the same for you. Brays Islanders have always gone out of their way to provide me with amazing opportunities, and taken care of my family. I took a job here 17 years ago while I was looking for a “real job,” and am very thankful I’ve been able to turn my passion for shooting into a career.
What is one fun fact about you that people might not know?
If I had to pick something I would say that I’ve been lucky enough to travel quite a bit and do many kinds of exciting and potentially dangerous, adventurous stuff throughout my life, but despite all of that, I’ve been known to cry during movies or upon occasion during an emotional commercial at the drop of hat, so I guess I’m really just a giant softie.