Goldeneye Training Academy

About Us

Goldeneye Training Academy offers premium instruction regarding CT Pistol Permits, Security Guard, Armed Guard training, and private pistol instruction.

Whether you’re entering this arena to begin a hobby or are seeking advanced instruction, Goldeneye Training Academy has something for everyone.

Are you looking to provide personal protection for a loved one or yourself, want to enter into competitions, seeking employment? You’ve come to the right place.

Are you seeking employment in the security industry and need to obtain your certification? Are you already in the security field and want to expand your knowledge-base and credentials? If so, you have also come to the right place.

Our staff are professional firearms, security and medical experts who have been employed in different levels of the criminal justice and medical industries for decades.

Our classes are held in Orange, CT however we can also hold a course, depending on the course sought and number of participants, at your location!

Below are our staff and their backgrounds. Please take a read to get to know them better.

Joseph Porto - Owner / Operator

Joe Porto - Handcuffing Class

With over 25 years of experience in this field, Joseph Porto brings unique talent and leadership experience to the team. As the founder of Goldeneye Training Academy, he has devoted his time and effort to building and leading this organization since 2012, which has also seen him offer adequate training in areas such as Basic Pistol, Pediatric First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Multi-State Licensing Course, CT Self Defense Law, CPR / AED, First Aid, and Firearm Maintenance Workshop. His other areas of interest include Pistol Skill Builder, Advanced Pistol, CT Security Guard Certification Course, Armed Guard Certification Course, Handcuffing, Police Baton, and O.C. Spray training. Joseph Porto is a Certified Range Safety Officer, Firearms Instructor, Instructor in Personal Protection Inside and Outside of the Home (NRA), and Taser Instructor among other certifications in law enforcement for firearms, victim safety, self-defense, and policy combat systems. He is an NRA Patriot Life Member – Endowment Level, and the United States Practical Shooting Association Life Member.

Porto is passionate about utilizing his skills and talent to teach people life skills, develop new courses for training, and collaborate with others to create growth opportunities. He possesses unique love for his country, guns, and his family. He likes working with open-minded students who are ready to learn, as he finds happiness in guiding different categories of learners to help them realize their true potential. Porto is a father of one lovely daughter and a husband to Jeannine with whom they have been living together for 4 years.

Jeannine Porto - Company Director / Instructor

Jeannine Porto is the current Director of Goldeneye Training Academy where she also serves as an Instructor. For five years now, and with an experience of over 15 years, Jeannine has been offering exceptional training services to learners at Goldeneye Training Academy covering different areas, including Pediatric First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider, CPR / AED and First Aid. She holds various credentials like Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Nurse’s Assistant, Nationally Certified Phlebotomist, and United States Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor. Porto is also a Notary and American Heart Association Certified Instructor in the following: Pediatric First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider, CPR / AED, and First Aid Instructor. For Jeannine, helping people learn more about firearm use and safety measures is a priceless experience. She is motivated by students who understand that knowledge is power and are ready to invest in themselves to develop their intellectual capacities. Her caring and compassionate approach to teaching and responding to people’s needs is notable. Jeannine is a full-time mother of three and a wife who also loves baking, cooking, firing handguns, dancing, listening to music, and empowering women.

Anthony Cuozzo - Senior Instructor

Anthony Cuozzo

Anthony Cuozzo Sr. is a lifelong Orange Resident and 27-year police officer with the Orange Police Department. Anthony was the Assistant Chief of Police, and held assignments as the Administrative Lieutenant, ISU commander, Patrol Commander, Patrol Sergeant, Youth Officer, Statewide Narcotics Task Force and Patrol Officer. Asst. Chief Cuozzo was the Department’s first D.A.R.E. officer and developed many of the community programs still in use today during his seven-year tenure as Youth / Community Relations Officer. He is a P.O.S.T. certified instructor in several areas and most notably co-wrote the P.O.S.T. curriculum for “Response to an Active Shooter” and “Patrol Rifle Instructor”. He has worked closely with the Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking in the development of undercover sting protocols and has been a featured speaker at their annual conference. Anthony has presented nationwide on the safe use of the internet in the classroom and internet safety.
A 2005 graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 220th session, he is Past President for the Connecticut FBINA Associates. He holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice/ Minor in Business and a M.A. in Leadership, both from Albertus Magnus College, as well as numerous professional certifications including National Incident Management System (NIMS) Instructor and Emergency Medical Technician.
Anthony began working at Goldeneye Training Academy since 2019 as a Basic Firearms Instructor and has since gained the title of Senior Instructor based on his dedication to education and drive to further help his community.
Married to his wife for 29 years, they have three children.

Christopher DeVitto - Senior Instructor

Christopher DeVitto

Christopher James DeVitto is an accomplished instructor with 32 years of experience in delivering relevant training and guidance to his students. He has continually demonstrated his dedication and talent in assisting students with different needs, which he has been doing for the last 4 years at Goldeneye Training Academy. His areas of concentration include CT Guard Card course, CT Law Seminar, CPR/AED and First Aid Course, Handcuffing, Police Baton and O.C. Spray Course (Assistant), Situational Awareness Seminar, and Basic Firearm Safety. Prior to this role, he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and an Executive Protection Officer with various organizations. Christopher finds joy in helping students align their goals with their life purpose to help them realize their full potential. He holds various certifications, including the CT Security Officer Identification Card, CT Armed Guard endorsement, CT Security Officer Instructor, CPR/AED, and First Aid Instructor. A father of five boys and one girl, his interests are woodworking and Golf, which he enjoys during his free time.

Todd Cannarella - Instructor

Todd Cannarella

Military veteran and renowned instructor Todd Cannarella has an unmatched passion for imparting knowledge to diverse categories of learners. With over 25 years of experience in his field, he enjoys seeing his students excel and grow into skilled and talented individuals in the areas he teaches. Todd is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina in Columbia SC and an MBA from Albertus Magnus in New Haven CT. He has spent 1 year at Goldeneye Training Academy where he teaches Basic Pistol Safety. Todd has distinguished himself as a highly knowledgeable instructor with an exceptional ability to remain patient under tough situations and deliver excellent training even in new subject areas. He holds various certifications like the GA Police Officer, DUI SFST Instructors, General LE Instructor, Field Training Officer, OC Instructor, ASP Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. He worked in the military as a Coast Guard before becoming an instructor. He is a baseball enthusiast, a lover of physical activities, and a family man who enjoys spending time with his loved ones.

Jamie Vincent - Instructor

Jamie Vincent has established himself as a competent and passionate instructor with 31 years of experience in public safety. He has been working at Goldeneye Training Academy for over a year teaching Basic Pistol Permit classes. He is driven by a genuine desire to respect other people and provide every learner with the opportunity to grow and excel in their specialties. His ability to tailor his teaching to the needs of every student and to convey information effectively to learners is worth noting. He is an open-minded, attentive, and supportive individual whose aim is to listen to every problem that comes his way. He is a Certified Instructor, Certified Fire Investigator, and Fire Marshal in addition to his qualifications in advanced personal protection training, shotgun training, construction, care and maintenance of AR platform rifles, and active shooter training. He won the Firefighter of the Year, 2015 Excellence Award for an outstanding investigation into An arson case. Outside his work, Jamie spends loves fishing, spending time with his family, and working on cars.

John Gondor - Instructor

John Gondor is an astute instructor whose contributions to the team have led to significant results within the organization given his 30+ years of experience in his field. He is a State of CT Certified Security Officer Instructor, Certified Instructor with the American Red Cross, Basic and Senior Police Firearms Instructor, Active Shooter / Aggressive Subject Instructor, Police Patrol Rifle Instructor, Smith and Wesson, and AR-15 Armorer, 12 gauge specialty impact munitions instructor, and a Taser Instructor. He obtained a Basic Active Shooter Level 1 from Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, Active Shooter Intervention, FBI Hostage Negotiation, and Law Enforcement Suicide training. John has been with Goldeneye Training Academy since May 2021where he teaches CT Security Officer Certification Course, ARC CPR / AED, and First Aid. John is a father of two adult children, Jessica and Jack, and a passionate lover of Freelance graphic design and illustration, which he does during his free time.

Brian Glynn - Instructor

Brian Glynn is a military service personnel currently working with the Coast Guard where he renders excellent services per his mandate. Brian has worked for 14+ years in the U.S military both in active service duty and in reserve. He also has 7+ years of experience as an instructor. He joined Goldeneye Training Academy back in 2020 and he has been offering excellent training in areas like CPR/BLS, Basic Firearm Safety, and Private Lessons since then. Brian is a trained Large Caliber Weapon System and Explosive Ordnance Technician, Military Firearms Instructor, Maritime Law Enforcement Instructor, and Combat Medic Instructor. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC Charleston) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He also obtained his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training from the same institution.
Brian is passionate about equipping his students with well-rounded knowledgee to help them master the art of self-defense. He also encourages his learners to share their knowledge with others to help them build their proficiency in their areas of expertise. Brian was intrigued by the mechanical nature of firearms and ordnances right from his youth, which he explored and turned into his hobby and later into a career. He also likes spending time with friends and colleagues with whom he enjoys sharing ideas. Brian is a proud father of one daughter and a loving husband to his wife.

Below are some credentials held by our staff

  • United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) Training Counselor and Certified Instructor (Basic Handgun, Concealed Carry, Home Defense)
  • National Rifle Association (NRA) Certified Instructor (Basic Pistol, Personal Protection Inside of the Home, Personal Protection Outside of the Home)
  • NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
  • United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) Certified Range Officer
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Certified First Aid, CPR & AED Instructor
  • American Red Cross (ARC) Certified First Aid, CPR & AED Instructor
  • Certified Security Instructor: State of Connecticut – Division of State Police
  • Certified Firearms Instructor: State of Connecticut – Division of State Police (P.O.S.T.)
  • Police Combat Systems Certified Instructor (O.C. Spray, Police Baton, Handcuffs)
  • Sig Sauer Academy Certified Instructor (Pistol)
  • International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
  • Federal Commissioned Officer
  • NRA Patriot Life Member – Endowment Level
  • Connecticut Citizens Defense League (CCDL) Member
  • International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Member
  • United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Life Member

As Seen on TV

Testimonials

Went here for two training courses, more as refreshers than new instruction. Instructors were excellent and had great new perspectives. The courses just flew by. Especially excellent if you are new to the area, as Joe and Jeannine have a lot of connections to good people in the healthcare and self defense industries of Connecticut. They deserve the reviews on here. – Jonathan

Took my pistol safety class at this fine facility. Instructors made what would be a long a boring class engaging and fun. They addressed any and all questions. I will be returning very soon to take advantage of all their other classes and benefits. Also pricing is beyond fair you get more than your money’s worth. – Kevin

Took my first aid/cpr/blood born pathogen/aed class with them and loved it. I was engaged and tentative the whole time. If the teacher, Jeannine didnt have the answer off the top of her head she was able to get it with out the help of google.

I would recommend them to anyone needing any of their courses…. – Victor

I went through Goldeneye Services for my blue card recertification and the triple certification package (handcuff, baton, and oc spray) and I was very impressed. Out of the numerous instructors I have trained with in the past, Mr. Joseph Porto has by far been the best. He is a very hands on and helpful instructor. His instruction methods are very informative and very good at holding your attention due to his passion for his work and his experience. – Brian

The way Joe spoke and got all of us involved in his content delivery. He was a bad-ass, he held the room’s attention with his style of instruction. I now know how to hold a gun in a safe position at all times and how to effectively check when a gun is unloaded by looking down the chamber through the grip as well as placing my finger in the chamber and feel down the barrel. I liked his attention to detail.