You can expect to see the following speakers at the Thrive! First Responder Edition Conference:
Frank DeAngelis was a staff member at Columbine High School in the Jeffco School District in Littleton Colorado, since 1979, starting as a Social Studies teacher and filling the roles of Head Baseball Coach, Assistant Football Coach, Dean of Students, and Assistant Principal, before becoming the Principal in 1996. Frank is a Colorado native, completing his K-12 education in Denver-area schools, proceeding to graduate from Metropolitan State College and subsequently from the University of Colorado with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education and Social Studies, his Principal’s License and Masters Degree from the University of Phoenix. Frank has been involved in numerous professional activities and associations, and has received multiple awards for his teaching, leadership and coaching skills. He has also been called upon to speak about recovery after a school tragedy at a variety of conferences, and has assisted as a consultant after a number of other violent school events. He was selected as Colorado High School Principal of the Year and was one of the three finalists for National Principal of the Year. He received the Jefferson Country Lifetime Achievement Award and the Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builders Award. He retired in June of 2014 after 35 years at Columbine High School. He is presently serving as a consultant for safety and emergency management for the Jeffco School District in Colorado, and continues to deliver speeches in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Allen R. Kates, BCECR, MFAW, is a trauma expert and journalist whose contact with police officers in the United States and Canada spans more than 40 years. He is author of the book, CopShock (first and second editions): Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), praised as the definitive survival guide for police PTSD sufferers.
Often specializing in police subjects, Allen has written television documentaries, current affairs programs, screenplays, newspaper stories and magazine articles.
He is Board Certified in Emergency Crisis Response (BCECR) by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and has earned certificates in critical incident stress debriefing and management, suicide intervention, PTSD therapy, resiliency, crisis intervention and victimology.
Allen was trained in crisis intervention by the Pima County Attorney’s Victim Services program, and helped victims of crime cope with tragedies such as robberies, beatings, rapes and murders. In this capacity, he worked closely with police officers.
Three weeks after 9/11, he toured the devastation of the World Trade Center and then gave an 8-hour seminar to Port Authority peer support officers about preventing and managing PTSD symptoms.
Allen has given seminars about PTSD, suicidal thinking, post-shooting trauma, psychological and emotional survival after a critical incident, and resiliency techniques for organizations such as The Patriots Voice Foundation First Responders Conference, the Kansas Law Enforcement CIT Team; Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (ATSS); the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA); Janes’ Police Conference held in the Hague, Netherlands; the Sacramento Law Enforcement Chaplaincy; the Spokane, WA, Police Department; the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN); the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center; the Arizona National Guard Family and Yellow Ribbon Programs; the National Guard Bureau; the Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs; the Arizona Department of Corrections; the Women Leaders In Law Enforcement Training Symposium (WLLE), the Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement Conference (RMWLE); FBI National Academy Conference, among others.
He is a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and has received some of his training from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) in suicide intervention, trauma debriefing techniques, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms and treatment, and crisis management.
Allen is a journalist and ghostwriter. He attended Ryerson University for journalism and television, the University of Windsor for theater and creative writing, and earned a Master of Fine Arts in Writing (MFAW) degree from Goddard College.
Jean Steel is an engaging and enthusiastic speaker, whose universal appeal makes her message timely and timeless. She has a knack for providing information in a humorous way: her belief is that laughter and learning are not mutually exclusive. Her motivational talks are in high demand, “to have Jean present guarantees a successful event” claims Dr. Mary Parker, Director of Nursing and Allied Health (Ret.) at Cuesta College.
Jean received her Masters Degree in Wellness/Mind/Body health with the understanding the integration, balance and harmony of an individual’s mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual self, results in a positive state of well-being. Happiness!
Dr. Kenneth Carter is Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology at Oxford College of Emory University. He has published in both academic and lay publications, translating psychology research into engaging everyday language. His articles have been published in magazines such as Psychology Today and Women’s Health, and he has appeared on news programs such as CNN Tonight, NPR’s: ShortWave, and NBC’s Today show. The psychology of thrill-seeking is the current focus of Dr. Carter’s research. He has delivered TEDx talk on thrill-seekers and is the host of Mind of a Motorhead an NBC Sports web series that examines the personalities of motorsport athletes. His most recent book is Buzz!: Inside the Minds of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, and Adrenaline Junkies (Cambridge University Press). When not teaching, speaking, or writing, Dr. Carter prefers reading and relaxing on the beach to wingsuit flying or BASE jumping.
Captain J.P. McMichael is a 23-year law enforcement veteran with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office in Arlington, Virginia where he is currently the Assistant Director of Inmate Services. Captain McMichael is also Adjunct Professor at Marymount Universities School of Sciences, Mathematics and Education in Criminal Justice.
JP is a former pro wrestler and mixed martial artist. J.P. broke his neck in 2012 while training for a fight and underwent neck fusion surgery. He was told he may not be able to walk and would not be able to return to his career in law enforcement due to the level of injury, prior to his second neck fusion surgery in 2015. Through the help of his amazing surgical team and his determination to return, J.P. returned to full duty just 4 months after that surgery.
In the fall of 2017, J.P. created Catalyst of Change Associates, LLC, an organization that allows him to provide motivational talks. He has been a keynote speaker at such conferences as the Canadian Critical Incident Stress Foundation National Conference, The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation World Conference and the National Association of Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinators Conference.
J.P. speaks on topics such as mental health and wellness, PTSD, servant leadership, mental and physical fitness for duty and a variety of issues for children and teens including body-image and anti-bullying.
J.P. has authored three children’s books on the topics of PTSD (“Why won’t you play with me?”), body image and anti-bullying (“Specially You”), and a father’s relationship with his daughter (“Daddy’s Little Girl”). J.P. also hosts the online show, The Wayward Path of the Warrior. He is also working on his newest book, The Journey Chronicles: What path are you on? and plans to release it in the last quarter of 2022.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney, Joyce E. Dudley, was elected District Attorney of Santa Barbara County in June 2010 and assumed office on June 22, 2010.
Since taking office, she has instituted a number of positive changes, including: creating the Arson Task Force; reorganizing the District Attorney’s Office; expanding the Vulnerable Victims Unit; overseeing the addition of a full-time highly trained canine companion to offer emotional support to victims and witnesses with psychological, physical or emotional trauma resulting from criminal conduct; initiating a volunteer attorney program; reestablishing a Truancy Program; and creating the Santa Barbara County Misdemeanor Diversion Program.
In addition to working closely with all public safety agencies, District Attorney Dudley is committed to working with other public agencies and private community organizations countywide to improve and coordinate efforts to prevent crime.
District Attorney Dudley began her legal career in the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office in 1990. She has prosecuted well over one thousand cases including murder, arson, robbery, burglary, crimes involving sexual offenses, crimes against children and hate crimes. Involvement in community activities has been a priority for District Attorney Dudley during her career as a prosecutor. She has received numerous awards honoring her outstanding performance and volunteer activities from law enforcement agencies as well as community organizations
Santa Barbara County Fire Chief's Association Regional Peer Support Coordinator, Tony Pighetti (& Donuts!)
Speaker & Therapy Dog
Tony Pighetti recently retired after a great 30-year-career with the Santa Barbara City Fire Department – the last four of those spent building the Fire Department’s peer support team. Tony is now the Regional Peer Support Coordinator for the Santa Barbara County Fire Chief’s Association.
Santa Barbara County has 8 fire agencies and a total of 725 firefighters. Our regional team consists of 8 team leads and 65 peer support team members. We also have 2 therapy dogs specializing in first responder stress, Rhonda and Donuts.
Tony is very excited to share his experience and to continue to learn from everyone involved at the 2022 Thrive! Conference. See you soon!
Chief Deanna Cantrell is recognized as a leading driver of public safety leadership, operational efficiency and improvement, innovative and evidence-based problem solving and advancing trust and community building. She has a proven record for exceptional communication, talented public speaking, forward thinking police reform, strategic planning and staff development.
Deanna is the Chief of Police for the City of Fairfield, California where she started in October, 2020. Prior to that, Deanna served almost 5 years as the Chief of Police in San Luis Obispo (SLO) California, and over 21 years with the Mesa, Arizona Police Department where she moved through the ranks from Officer to Assistant Chief.
While in Mesa, she served in many assignments from patrol, motors, internal affairs, narcotics, and organized crime. She supervised many units including internal affairs, a large patrol district, special operations, communications, finance and the crime lab.
Deanna believes the police exist to reduce harm in our communities. Because of that, she has developed a deep-rooted history of building trust with the community, improving employee wellness and advancing meaningful police reform. She and her team in SLO received an award from the Anti-Defamation League for combatting hate. She has served on the Human Rights Forum, as the Muslim Police Advisory Liaison, as the LGBTQ liaison, on the NAACP legal redress committee and was the Chair of the Arizona Women’s Initiative Network (AZ-WIN).
Currently, Deanna is a Co-Chair for the California Women Leaders in Law Enforcement, serves on several local boards, as well as internationally on the Professional Standards Ethics and Image Committee with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and as the CA northern member at large for the California Police Chiefs Association.
In 2018 Deanna was selected as the 24th District, California Congressional Woman of the year.
Deanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University. She has an Executive Development Certificate from CA POST and is a graduate of Northwestern University Police Staff and Command School where she is also an adjunct faculty member.
Firefighter, Peer Supporter & Emotional Support K9 Handler, Sam Dudley (& Rhonda!)
Speaker & Therapy Dog
Sam Dudley started his career with the US Forest Service in 2008 where he worked on the Los Padres National Forest for 7 years. Thereafter, Sam was hired by Santa Barbara County Fire Department where he is now working on Truck 11 as a Firefighter. After Sam’s experience at the Montecito Debris Flow, he benefited from speaking with Peer Supporters and counselors. Sam shared his experiences with co workers and was later chosen by his peers to become a member of the Peer Support Team. Sam is also the handler for Santa Barbara County Fire Departments Emotional Support Canine, Rhonda, a program in which Sam started. Sam is married to his amazing wife Erica and has two children, Beau and Madison.
Officer Jesus Cerda has been with the Fresno Police Department as an Officer for 19 years. He has worked as a patrol officer in each of the five policing districts, the district crime suppression team (DCST) and was a K-9 handler. Since November of 2018, Officer Cerda has worked as one of the two officers in the Employee Services Unit as the coordinator where he provides resources to Police Department employees, sworn and non-sworn, in their time of need.
As the coordinator he responds 24/7 to officer involved shootings and any other call considered a traumatic event for officers. He schedules and participates in critical incident debriefings related to traumatic calls for service and responds to calls in which an officer is injured in the line of duty and sometimes off duty. Additionally, he also reaches out to employees that are going through difficult times due to illness, family illness, a death in the family, or facing discipline. Lastly, he provides orientation for newly hired employees, Officers, and Sergeants.
He enjoys working with the Fresno Police Officer’s Association to facilitate training opportunities for Fresno PD personnel related to Officer Wellness. He does this by reaching out to all employees who are on long-term absence from the Department, offering encouragement and any resources they may need.
In addition to his work in Fresno, he is also a resource to law enforcement agencies throughout the State that are interested in starting an Employee Services Unit or peer support program. Lastly, he is the co-founder of the supporting peer’s app mobile wellness phone application, an app that provides resources to officers in need of services.
Fresno City Police Officer, Jesus Cerda
Speaker
Ashley Marshall is an Executive Life and Business Coach (CTI & ICF Certified) with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. With a foundation serving government organizations, non-profit and private sectors, Ashley understands that leaders at all levels influence the strategic direction of the organization. Her results-oriented practice aims to help individuals understand and then realize their professional potential through self-discovery, planning and action. Understanding time is valuable, Ashley follows the Co-Active approach to coaching, which utilizes an action-oriented framework believing every person is creative, resourceful and whole. She is a dynamic coach with a proven track record of professional growth with her clients.
Officer Michael Fortune has been an Officer with the Fresno Police Department for almost 18 years. During that time he has worked a variety of assignments within the department to include District Crime Suppression Team (D.C.S.T.), CALEA, Field Training Officer, Patrol Corporal and he has spent the last 2.5 years working in the Employee Services Unit. He responds 24/7 to all officer involved critical incidents and assists with the coordination and facilitation of multi-agency critical incident debriefings. He is proud to be a resource for officers to reach out to for help in their time of need.
In addition to his work on the Employee Services Unit, he is in his third term on the Board of Directors for the Fresno Police Officers Association. He has been actively involved in the Companion Officer Program (Peer Support) for nine years and in November of 2020 he was appointed as chairman of Companion Officer Program. In January of 2021, he helped redesigned their peer support program to include Dispatchers, Identification Bureau Technicians, Retirees as well as created a Spouse Team.
Fresno City Police Officer, Michael Fortune
Speaker
Fire Chief Alex Hamilton started his career with the Oxnard Fire Department as a Firefighter in 2005. He was promoted to Fire Engineer in 2010, promoted to Fire Captain in 2012, Battalion Chief in 2016, Assistant Chief in 2017 and Fire Chief in 2021. He previously worked as a volunteer Firefighter in Australia, where he grew up. Assistant Chief Hamilton is currently completing his MBA with Pepperdine University. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Protection Administration and a Chief Fire Officer certification from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Chief Hamilton has served in a variety of assignments, including, Grant Writer and Grant Project Manager where he successfully procured and managed over $15 million in grants. He has previously served as a hazardous materials specialist, urban search and rescue team member, member of the Police/Fire Dive Team, Peer Support Team, and Honor Guard. Furthermore, Chief Hamilton is the co-founder and CFO of the Oxnard Firefighters Foundation, Inc., and is an Advisory Board Member of the VC Ribbons of Life Foundation. He developed a comprehensive behavioral health program for both Fire Departments in the region and also serves as a Suicide Intervention Instructor. Additionally, Battalion Chief Hamilton is a recipient of the Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year and the City of Oxnard Employee of the Year awards and has earned numerous educational and training certificates.
Suz Roehl, a Registered Nurse for the last 34 years, has worked in multiple ICU’s (PICU, Burn ICU, CV ICU) and the ED at a level one trauma center (Harborview in Seattle). She also flew rotor for CALSTAR for 15 years in Santa Maria. Suz takes pride in always learning in her career and in turn, always teaching. She believes no one can ever know enough and sharing her knowledge and passion brings her the most joy in life.
Suz is currently an FT professor at Allan Hancock College, teaching EMTs and coordinating the EMS programs. She is in the process of starting a paramedic program and absolutely LOVES her students and paying it forward with her knowledge and experience.
Suz earned her ADN in Nursing at Santa Barbara City College and her BSN at the University of Washington. She has loved every minute as a critical care/trauma nurse and the opportunity to teach others going into the field of nursing.
When she’s not contributing to saving lives, Suz is spending time with her husband Rick of 30 years, whom she lives with on a horse ranch in a beautiful mountainous area near Lompoc, CA.
Her other passions include training and competing her horses and painting with watercolors, which help her find balance in life. She and Rick have two wonderful sons, Alec and Tony, and one amazing granddaughter, Lily. She feels blessed to have such a close relationship with her family.
