Summit Session Speakers
Meet all of the session speakers that will be presenting at the Ride For Peace of Mind & First Responder Preparedness Summit in Tuscon, AZ. June 6-12
BROCK BEVELL
Brock Bevell is a retired Police Officer who was run over on duty and ultimately retired from the injuries. The injuries caused him to endure numerous knee surgeries and constant rehabilitation. After months and months of therapy, it was decided that he would be medically retired from the department.
For the next few years, Brock struggled with being retired. It was at this time that Brock’s addiction took control of his emotions and he began to spin out of control, and he proceeded to self-medicate himself. Since recovering from his addiction, Brock has helped hundreds of men and women combat addiction by utilizing an unconventional approach to recovery that continues to lead men and women to lasting sobriety.
LYNETTE BUTLER
Lynette Butler has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement ranging from fugitive investigator to police sergeant. She began her career as a National Fugitive Investigator with International Fidelity Insurance Company. During this time, she was a successful Bounty Hunter, earning the title of America’s Top Bounty Hunter five consecutive years by the New York Post. After 13 years of investigations she began her time with the William Paterson University Police Department.
In 2018 The Lynn Shaw Group was established to provide Mental Health, De-escalation and Resiliency Training to teachers, police and community stakeholders conceptualized from her own experiences with PTSD and her mental health journey. To date Lynette has trained over 5,000 professionals across the country and has addressed audiences in excess of 8,000 people. She has also appeared on the nationally syndicated talk show Women on the Move.
MICHELLE FAYED
Michelle Fayed is a firefighter/paramedic and 19-year veteran of the fire service. She is the statewide family/caregiver support coordinator for the Florida Firefighter Safety and Health Collaborative. Fayed is a national trainer for Mental Health First Aid USA and content developer of the organization’s fire/EMS specialty module.
At the request of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, she advocated for support and funding of mental health awareness education at Congressional staff briefings in Washington, D.C. Fayed has spoken about mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder and moral injury in the emergency services at numerous local, regional and national conferences.
CHRIS FIELDS
Chris Fields is a former member of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, Chris joined the fire department July 12, 1985 promoting through the ranks and retiring as a Major on March 1, 2017, serving the citizens of Oklahoma City for 31 years and 7 months. Chris was captured in a photo that became an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 when he was cradling the body of 1 year old Baylee Almond.
Chris is now dedicating his life and travels to speak to other First Responders. He discusses the brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours, routinely placing others before himself and representing the greater good in all of us. Chris tells the story of his life, his 31 years of public service, and how that day in 1995 all combined to take a toll on his life and his family as he suffered in silence for many years.
DR THERESA LARSON
Dr. Theresa Larson, DPT, is a former Marine Corps Engineer Officer and Combat Veteran and has become one of the healthcare and fitness world’s most sought after experts on movement health. Theresa founded Movement Rx with her husband in 2013. In addition to her practice, wellness and speaking efforts, Dr. Larson is an advocate for Team Red White and Blue, a veteran non-profit, National Eating Disorder Association, and CrossRoads Adaptive Athlete Alliance.
JON MACASKILL
Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy Seal who has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, off the coast of Somalia, and in Panama. Post retirement, Jon served as the Deputy Executive Director and podcast host and producer for Veteran’s PATH. Now, Jon owns his own mindfulness consulting company, Macaskill Consulting, LLC, bringing mindfulness and meditation to high performing teams to aid in dealing with stress, anxiety and depression all while increasing focus, creativity, and productivity.
DOUG MONDA
Doug Monda is a former undercover narcotics agent with the Cocoa Police Department, in Brevard County, Florida. He began his career in public safety in 2001. In his second year of service, Doug joined the S.W.A.T. team, and subsequently attended Marine Scout Sniper Training, earning his certification with Blackwater. Doug spent 16 years on the Cocoa Police Department S.W.A.T. team, where he became an expert in tactical planning and leading. As a S.W.A.T. member, his experience as a sniper and team leader played a critical role in the safety of teammates and success of countless missions.
During his career he has also worked with agencies consisting of D.E.A., F.B.I., ATF, Border Patrol, U.S. Marshall’s Office, Department of Homeland Security and NASA. Doug’s training has earned him extraordinary success in the field. However, the impact of the accumulated trauma Doug experienced on the job, almost cost him his life. After recovering from personal experience with depression and a failed attempt at suicide in 2013, Doug realized more needed to be done for first responders and their families dealing with career related mental health issues. He and his wife founded Survive First in 2018 and have been helping the first responder community since.
DR ABBY MORRIS
Dr. Abby Morris is board-certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine with diverse experience in community health, substance abuse, inpatient and private practice settings. She is currently the Medical Director of the IAFF Center of Excellence, a stand-alone mental health treatment facility for first responders with PTSD, addiction, or other behavioral health challenges. She has been awarded many local and regional honors for her academics and work in her field and is considered an international expert in first responder mental health and trauma.”
RAUL RIVAS
Raul Rivas grew up in the Orlando area. After graduating high school, he attended college and obtained an Associate Degree in business. Raul then enlisted in the Army Reserve and served overseas during Desert Storm.
Raul was sworn into the Orlando Police Department in 1992. He was first assigned to midnight patrol. Then he had stints on the bicycle squad and gang unit, before moving on to a multi-agency undercover drug task force named the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI). Raul was a field training officer and developed an interest in investigations and Swat. Raul spent 12 years in the robbery unit with cross sworn duties with FBI Safe Streets and ATF Violent Crimes task forces. At the same time, Raul was an assault team member on the Swat team. Raul moved to the Fugitive Investigations unit and was cross sworn with the U.S.Marshal's.
Raul Rivas served 18 yrs with Swat team and served as an Assistant Team Leader. Raul was one of the Swat team members involved during the "Pulse night club incident" shooting in Orlando, Florida. Raul received an Award of Valor for his actions and involvement in the Pulse Incident. Raul retired from the Orlando Police department in 2019.
CHRIS SCALLON
Sergeant Chris Scallon retired as a 24+year veteran with the Norfolk Police Department, holds a Masters in Psychology, BS in Criminal Justice, and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland BC Emergency Health Services.He is the current National Public Safety Liaison for Shatterproof First Responders’ and Veterans’ program. He is the Founder of Survival Mindset Training and Consulting, Co-Founder of Trauma Behind the Badge.
He provides direct mental health and/or substance abuse services, in addition to connecting first responders, veterans, and their families to resources. He is a current consultant/responder for the Department of Justice Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP).
He was the founder, and first Director, of the Norfolk Police Department’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) & Peer Support Unit, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Co-Coordinator for the Norfolk Police Department. Sgt. Scallon is a peer and current board member of Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP), a certified peer with the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat/First Responder Support Network. Having been involved in multiple shootings he is intimately familiar with trauma and the consequences of exposure. Former Director of Public Safety Support for Chateau Recovery.
ROB VERHELST
Rob Verhelst is a career firefighter for the City of Madison, Wisconsin since 2000, an Air Force Veteran and did search and recovery after the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. He helps people become greater assets to themselves and others, with the ability to lead with courage, passion and mental strength. Fireman Rob delivers a powerful impact through his stories and catalysts that have been Forged In The Fires of his life. From performing search & recovery after the September 11th attacks to surviving post-traumatic stress disorder to breaking a Guinness World Record to being a dad, his message resonates with everyone and has proven results.
