DC Brawlers Leadership Bios
Justin Cotler, aka “Professor X”, Head Coach
Justin Cotler is the Owner and Head Coach of CrossFit Dynamix, one of the most respected and well-known CrossFit affiliates in the world. Justin’s vision and initiative have led CrossFit Dynamix to become a brand name with over 400 members and a competition team, “TEAM DYNAMIX”, that finished 10th in the 2012 Northeast Regional, 1st in the 2013 Northeast Regional, and 5th in the world at the 2013 CrossFit Games World Finals, televised on ESPN. Justin is one of the most sought after functional fitness experts and offers coaching and programming for numerous CrossFit Games and Regionals competitors.
Prior to opening CrossFit Dynamix, Justin was the owner of Dynamix Gym, a well-respected private training facility in Astoria, NY. He is also an accomplished singer/songwriter/recording artist who has performed for 17 years on stages across the globe from the Late Show with David Letterman to the Red Cross Gala Ball for the Prince of Monaco at the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a BA in English Literature, played varsity basketball and was captain of the golf team. His lifelong love and success in the areas of sports, the arts, and competition make him a natural leader and motivator.
Justin is a Level 1 certified CrossFit Coach, certified in Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting, and is CrossFit Kids certified.
Scott A. Martin, COO
A native of Spring, Texas, SOCM Scott Martin entered the Navy in 1989 and graduated Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) class 167 in June of 1990.
Master Chief Martin was born in Memphis, TN and obtained his Bachelors of Science degree from George Washington University and his Masters of Science from Touro University.
SOCM Martin has served at SEAL Team THREE from 1990 to 1996; SEAL Team FOUR from 1996 to 2000, SEAL Team EIGHT from 2000 to 2004, NPC Millington, TN from 2004 to 2006 and is currently onboard NSWSA-2 since 2006.
SOCM Martin’s decorations include the Special Warfare breast insignia, Naval Parachutist breast insignia, one Bronze Star Medal, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, one Joint Achievement Medal, four Navy Achievement Medals, and various unit and personal citations.
His operational experience includes Bosnia, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, and numerous deployments to the Middle East, South America, and South East Asia in support of special operations.
Brandon Kirby, CMO
Brandon is one of four principals of the Centerfold Agency, a marketing and advertising firm located in Charlotte, NC. He has led projects for a wide range of clients including those in the hospitality, nonprofit, higher education, healthcare, manufacturing and trade show industries. He personally understands the importance of building a brand and brings a pragmatic approach to marketing communications. Before Centerfold, Brandon worked at Wray Ward; one of the Southeast’s largest independently owned advertising agencies, in a variety of roles including business development and account management.
Brandon has extensive experience in the hospitality industry as the former owner of a Melting Pot fondue restaurant in Charlotte, NC. During this time, his team was awarded the Franchisee of the Year award in back-to-back years (’03 & ’04), a feat which has yet to be repeated within the Melting Pot franchise community.
Brandon currently sits on the board for the Charlotte chapter of the American Advertising Federation as the Treasurer and is part of the Management Committee for OneHEEL Partners, a compounding equity investment group.
His expertise includes strategic account planning, brand development, project management and copywriting.
Justin R. Bizzarro, CFO
Justin is a Managing Member and Founder of over 15 businesses throughout the food service and information technology industries. His experience, hard work, and dedication have allowed him to continually exceed expectations and deliver profitable results. Justin is the Treasurer for FoodService Partners, Inc. and a 7-year member of the company’s Strategic Leadership Team.
Additionally, he has recently gained invaluable experience sitting on start-up advisory boards and distributor advisory councils. Justin is also part of the five person management committee leading OneHEEL Partners, a compounding equity management firm that focuses on helping businesses grow, either by direct investment or through expert consulting services.
Concurrently, he is enrolled in the Global Executive MBA program at UNC’s Kenan Flagler’s School of Business with expected graduation in June 2014. In addition to the U.S., the program studies include business learning in the Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong and India.
Previously, Justin was a dedicated soccer player and coach. He was able to use his talents to play in Europe and South America during summer leagues during his teenage years and visited countries such as Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, England, Iceland, Netherlands, Italy, Uruguay, and Brazil. Serving as a co-captain of most of these teams, Justin learned through hardships, experience, and perseverance that carefully planned and executed team preparedness and logistics is essential to team success, especially when one is the underdog. These experiences lend themselves to Justin’s ability to lead business teams to the same expected successful outcomes.
Furthermore, Justin discovered CrossFit in August of 2012 and has used it as his rehabilitation from reconstructive shoulder surgery in June of 2013. The shoulder surgery was related to an old soccer injury but Justin states CrossFit has brought about the reemergence of his athletic abilities, surpassing athletic abilities during his playing years on Dickinson College’s Men’s Varsity Soccer Team from 1998 to 2001.
