Meet the Team | Click the image for more info!

 

Sean Manning
Owner / Manager

White Birch Armory was founded in 2014 by Sean Manning. Sean is a Purple Heart recipient who spent 8 years serving with the United States Marine Corps. There, he deployed multiple times to Iraq as a Reconnaissance Marine and Scout Sniper. Before starting WBA, Sean spent 10 years working in the firearms industry as an Engineering Technician and later, Testing & Evaluation Manager. Sean is also a master firearms instructor and Precision Scoped Rifle Competitor. When not running his business, he is often learning new DIY skills or relaxing at his family cottage in Maine.

David Guard
General Manager

Dave served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for 10 years as a Motor Transport Operations Chief. He is an Iraq veteran who also served in Africa and Central America. Before joining White Birch Armory, Dave worked for 5 years in the firearms industry as an Engineering Technician, Rifle Assembler, and Testing & Evaluation Supervisor.  When not working, he is an avid outdoors-man who can usually be found hiking, fishing, or taking in the NH sites on his motorcycle.

Joe DiChiara
Director of Sales & Marketing

Joe originally joined WBA in 2023, stepped away for two years to lead Sales and Customer Service operations for a national travel company, and returned in 2025 to oversee WBA’s sales, marketing, and revenue growth strategy. Joe brings over a decade of experience leading teams, driving sales performance, and building customer-focused organizations.

A U.S. Army veteran, Joe served as a tanker from 2006–2010 and deployed to Iraq in 2008 with the 4th Infantry Division. His military background heavily influences his leadership style, emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and execution under pressure.

Joe is an avid firearms enthusiast and hunter with a deep respect for responsible ownership, training, and education. He is passionate about shooting sports and the role firearms play in personal responsibility, recreation, and community; values that strongly align with White Birch Armory’s mission and culture.

Outside of work, Joe proudly embraces his nerdy side. He enjoys board games, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, tabletop RPGs, video games, and Warhammer 40K. He is a devoted family man, married with three wonderful boys. Originally from Revere, Massachusetts, Joe moved to Dover, New Hampshire in 2016 and fully embraces the Granite State lifestyle.


Rob
HR & Admin Assistant

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Rob served in the Army for 25 years and is an Iraq veteran.  During his time in the Army, he served as an Artilleryman, Military Police and Human Resources Warrant Officer.  He grew up in Northern New Jersey, moving to New Hampshire right before high school.  He’s been hunting, fishing and shooting since he was very young.  When not working, Rob can be found either playing bass guitar with his band or in the woods hunting and fishing. 

Renee
Retail Sales Manager

Renee is a mother to two teenage daughters, two dogs, and the wife of a retired CPO of the Coast Guard. After living in various duty stations, their family decided Maine was a perfect fit for them to settle down and finally grow “roots”. She enjoys shooting trap at our local club, camping, cooking Sunday family dinners for our extended family, and am looks forward to ice fishing in New England winters.

Shelby
Website Sales Manager

Shelby has been working in the firearms industry since 2012. She has extensive experience as an armorer and has held various positions including QC and Range Coordinator at a firearm manufacturer.  In addition to keeping the guys at White Birch in check, Shelby is a full-time mom and crazy cat lady.

Steve
LE/Gov Contract Manager

Steve served in the Marine Corps and the Army for 27 years as an Artilleryman and Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction Specialist. During that time, he coached and competed on the Massachusetts Guard Biathlon Team, competed in, and coached, multiple marksmanship teams, earning the Governor’s Twenty Tab, signifying he was one of the top 20 Marksman in the Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard. He also learned how to navigate the red tape of the acquisition process for government organizations.  When he is not working on contracts, he likes to spend time as an amateur gunsmith, working on restoring his camper, or coaching and training Olympic weightlifting & Kettlebell Lifting.

Alan
Operations Manager

Alan grew up near Fort Kent, Maine “in the middle of nowhere”. He spent much of his early career in the church world working in various team building capacities. Developing people’s skillsets is his passion. When he isn’t pouring over spreadsheets, or in team meetings he loves making BBQ on his Big Green Egg and pellet grill. You’ll occasionally find him on the trail or the backyard rink – and more recently on the disc golf course.

Shelby C.
Marketing Supervisor

Shelby is a New Hampshire native, born and raised. She relocated to the Seacoast area after moving to North Carolina for a few years, where she realized you can take the girl out of New England, but you can’t take the New England out of the girl! She’s always looking for a new adventure and will likely try anything (including food!) at least once. In her free time, she’s usually on a paddle board somewhere or exploring the area with her camera.

Rachel
Program and Membership Services Coordinator

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Rachel became interested in the firearms industry because of her love for her country and the importance of preserving the Second Amendment, as well as wanting to learn how to protect herself with a firearm. Born and raised in North Jersey, she decided to stretch her wings and branch out for college, briefly attending UNH. She quickly fell in love with New Hampshire for the freedom it offers, and never wants to live anywhere else. She has a background in the hospitality industry with some experience as an event planner. When she is not greeting customers and helping with membership services, she enjoys gardening, crocheting, jamming to music, and baking.

John
Wholesale Account Manager

John found his passion for shooting sports at a very young age. He has held roles at pro shops and ranges in Virginia, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire before finding his permanent home at White Birch. Before entering the firearm industry, John served as a lead audio engineer for a traveling concert production company. When he is not at WBA, John enjoys playing guitar, going to concerts, and hanging out by the lake.

Dan
Senior Bookkeeper

Dan grew up in Massachusetts, however, he spent every summer in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire from the time he was born through college.  After graduating from UMass-Amherst, Dan spent several years doing marketing and event management for TNN Sports before settling in South Florida for 17 years, working in the hospitality industry while managing various bars and restaurants.  Dan returned to New Hampshire several years ago and has put his financial management experience to work handling our accounting and bookkeeping.  In his spare time, he can be found on the golf course, enjoying the summers on Lake Winnipesaukee, or watching his beloved Patriots, Red Sox, or Bruins.

Jon
Web Developer

Jon is White Birch’s resident computer geek, providing onsite support for WBA’s computer systems including our custom-built Birchware inventory and business management application.  His background includes more than 20 years of business database design and programming, including plenty of time listening to users gripe and then figuring out how to fix those gripes.   Off the clock, Jon is a science fiction fan, amateur military historian (which is where his interest in firearms got started), birdwatcher, sports and wildlife photographer, and nature enthusiast. 

Greg
Warehouse Supervisor

Greg served 4 years in the Air Force as a Security Forces Lead guarding nuclear resources in the tri-state area of Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. During that time, he found a passion for the firearms industry, especially for antique firearms and picked up blade smithing as a hobby. When he’s not at work he’s either spending time playing with his daughter and two dogs, or in the woods either hiking or hunting.

Shane
Maintenance & Facilities Specialist

Shane served in the Navy for 5 years primarily as a Shipboard / Aviation Firefighter on USS Decatur & USS Boxer. When he wasn’t on a ship Shane augmented to The Naval Special Warfare Center Medical Unit, Naval Base San Diego Unaccompanied Housing Unit, or The Vice Admirals Boat House. Shane finally returned home to New Hampshire and joined WBA as a Skill Bridge Intern in March of 2024. He can usually be found on the Sales Floor adjusting his hearing aids.

Dominic
Retail Sales Supervisor

Dominic took interest in the firearms industry at the age of 15 with his first job as RSO and merit badge counselor at his local Boy Scout camp in Connecticut. After graduating from UNH, he gained experience as a firearms trader, appraising and acquiring used firearms. Dom can typically be found enjoying some trigger time on the range or heard jamming out to a variety of musical genres on his drum set.

Tom
Retail Sales Supervisor

Tom moved to NH in 2014 and fell in love with the world of firearms. He is passionate about optics and suppressors and loves educating new firearms owners. In his free time, Tom likes to cook, backpack, and shoot with his friends.

Joe
Retail Sales / Range Safety Officer

Joe is a native New Hampshirite, born and raised in Durham. He is a retired Nuclear Mechanical Engineering Analyst who previously worked at Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Joe has a long-standing love for firearms and shooting. When Joe is not at WBA, he enjoys woodworking and baking. He makes toys, puzzles, boxes, and does woodburning art. Joe has a passion for helping others and enjoys working at WBA for that reason!

Jay
Retail Sales / Range Safety Officer

“New Hampshire, you’ve stolen my heart! This Florida Man traded in his flip-flops for hiking boots (thanks to my amazing wife!).  She saved me from the construction grind and pointed me towards the best job ever at White Birch Armory.  Who knew playing with “bang bangs,” “whisper pickles,” and “Freedom Seeds” could be a career?!  When I’m not geeking out at the Armory, you’ll find me exploring the White Mountains with my wife, wrangling adorable babies in children’s ministry at church, or getting creative with some fabricating and graphic design.  Life is good!”

Thomas
Retail Sales / Range Safety Officer

Thomas grew up hunting, fishing, and trapping, which fostered a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. A dedicated hunter and firearms enthusiast, he enjoys spending his free time with close friends in the duck blind or on the Atlantic Ocean pursuing sea ducks and catching striped bass and bluefish.

Tristin
Retail Sales / Range Safety Officer

Tristin is a Finance student at the University of New Hampshire and a New Hampshire native. Outside of work and school, he enjoys photography and hiking while exploring the natural beauty of the state. In his downtime, Tristin can often be found playing the guitar or spending time with friends.

James
Retail Sales / Range Safety Officer

James brings five years of industry experience across civilian firearms sales as well as military and law enforcement markets. He offers extensive knowledge of modern handguns, rifles, and optics, and is dedicated to helping customers find solutions that align with their needs and experience levels. With a strong commitment to safety, education, and professionalism, James fosters a knowledgeable and welcoming environment both on and off the range. His diverse background enables him to effectively support first-time buyers, seasoned enthusiasts, and professional users alike.

Adjunct Instructors

Chunk
Warehouse Manager

Chunk’s workday consists of SuPAWvising his warehouse employees playing ball, sleeping on the job, squeaking his toys as loudly as possible, and tricking his coworkers into bringing him outside so he can sunbathe. Big sister, Kitty, is wondering when someone is going to report him to HR.

 

In Loving Memory
Bozo & Kitty

Bozo and Kitty were very special dogs to all of us here at White Birch Armory. Many customers remember being greeted by their smiling faces and wagging tails during the early years of White Birch Armory. Both pups were loved by everyone they met and always looked forward to Mondays when they could see their friends in the office.
Bozo: 2016 – 2022
Kitty: 2020 – 2024