First Responders’ Bridge Retreat – July 2021

Keynote Speakers

Brian Pierson - Vice President of Community Health & Wellbeing, Mount Carmel Health

Bio - Brian has tertiary care nursing clinical experience in cardiac intensive care, mobile intensive care, emergency and prison settings. He served in the United States Army and Ohio Army National Guard for 12 years as a flight medic and forward area surgical team specialist. Brian received his master's degree in business psychology accompanied by undergraduate degrees in nursing and organizational leadership. He is an experienced leader with over 20 years in the healthcare industry.

bpierson@mchs.com

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Scott Geiselhart - Frazee, MN Fire Department

Bio - Scott served as the Asst. Fire Chief of the Frazee, MN Fire Department where he retired after 24 years of service. He is a certified Peer Support Specialist and a national speaker on topics such as Post Traumatic Stress and First Responder trauma. Scott is a PTS, meth and suicide attempt survivor.

scott.geiselhart@gmail.com

Anthony "AJ" Johnson - Columbus, OH Police Department

Bio - AJ has been a sworn member of the Columbus Division of Police since 2013. He currently serves as an active member of the Honor Guard, Officer Support and Peer Assistance team. AJ is currently a member of Humanizing The Badge where he travels across the country speaking and creating events to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement and the communities they serve. AJ has well over a million followers on social media. In 2017 AJ was selected by the Ohio Governors Office to serve on the Ohio Collaborative where he helps create standards and policies for police agencies across Ohio.

aj@ajspeaks.org

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Speakers

Lisa Callander - Director, City of Columbus EAP

Bio - Lisa has been with the City of Columbus EAP since 1989, providing program administration, clinical services, consultations, trainings and administering the City EAP. She has extensive experience in working with First Responder's, and in the area of critical incident stress response. She serves as a member of the Mid-Ohio and Columbus Fire CISM teams, and is the Mental Health Advisor for the Columbus Police Peer Assistance Team(PAT)

lisac@columbus.gov

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Carly Mesnick - Mesnick Counseling & Consultation

Bio - Carly is a licensed clinical professional counselor with supervision designation. She is the former Director of Programs for the Mount Carmel Health, Crime and Trauma Assistance Program(CTAP) managing the treatment of trauma and related disorders for 12 years. She now owns Mesnick Counseling and Consultation, LLC where she specializes Eye Movement Desensitizing (EMDR), Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Carley specializes in working with First Responders and their families as well as working with children . www.mesnickcounselingconsultation.com

carley@mesnickcounselingconsultation.com

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Kay Werk - LISW-S

Bio- Kay worked for 37 years at Netcare. She was instrumental as the developer and manager of the Netcare Access Community Crisis Response Team for 22 years and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) which assists with resiliency of public safety forces and other organizations encountering events stressful even to experienced personnel. Kay is one of the original 12 individuals from the United States entrusted by Dr. Francine Shapiro with training Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for EMDR clinicians. She is an approved trainer for the International Incident Foundation(ICISF). Kay provided pro bono EMDR training for mental health professionals after the Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine shootings, and 9-11. Kay has extensive experience training Police and Fire Departments.

Additional career highlights:

Trained mental health professionals for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) Institute, an evidence-based rapid treatment for psychological trauma. She provided EMDR Institute training throughout the United States and internationally in Australia, Finland and Sweden.
Helped initiate and remains an integral part of the City of Columbus Division of Fire’s CISM program.
Trained fire and police professionals in Columbus Divisions of Fire & Police, area hospitals, several mid-Ohio school districts, and Ohio morticians and funeral directors, military chaplains for the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio Department of Youth Services and smaller communities in Ohio
Trained patrol division and new recruits for CPD on recognizing mental illness and best strategies for assisting those in a mental health crisis. Instrumental in bringing Crisis Intervention Training to CPD
Worked as an instructor at Ohio State’s College of Social Work for graduate and undergraduate students. Received the OSU STAR (Stress, Trauma & Resiliency) award for Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Trauma Treatment.

kaywerk@gmail.com

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Speaker

*Adam Davis - Author, Motivational Speaker & former Law Enforcement Officer* "Unconquered Sheepdog"

Bio -

Adam is an unrelenting force of inspiration. He believes we all have a unique purpose and we must be good stewards of the time we are given in this life.

Described as "a dynamic and powerful writer and speaker," Adam has devoted his life to inspire others to take positive action in their professional and personal lives. His writing and speaking are not only inspirational, but thought-provoking and challenging.

He inspires, challenges, and motivates others through his books. Most popular books by Adam include:

Behind the Badge: 365 Daily Devotions for Law Enforcement (recommended and read by law enforcement leaders nationally, and a perennial bestseller)
Bulletproof Marriage: a 90-Day Devotional (2020 Christian Book Awards Finalist, and a perennial bestseller with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman)
On Spiritual Combat: 30 Missions for Victorious Warfare (with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman)

A former law enforcement officer and FBI trained hostage negotiator, Adam knows the challenges faced by law enforcement officers and their relationships. Since leaving his career in law enforcement in 2015, he has devoted his time to delivering proven tools and resources for the mind and soul. He has devoted his life to serving others and sharing his words, in writing and speaking, to inspire others to make positive changes in their lives.

Adam has an uncanny ability to speak "grunt" and to the heart of warriors. His raw, unfiltered story of overcoming the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, experiences from law enforcement, and battle with suicidal thoughts and substance abuse position him as a powerful force of hope for millions of people today. His work has attracted the attention of many influencers and he is best known for his work to deliver faith, hope, and love to those who serve.

From major universities to government entities, Adam has presented his story of conquering some of life's most smothering battles and how these principles can be applied in every life to achieve optimal performance and fulfillment.

Adam's work has been featured on Entrepreneur Magazine, Fox News, The Huffington Post, PoliceOne.com, and Law Enforcement Today. As a speaker, he has presented for the University of Alabama, Auburn University Department of Economic Development, TEDx Troy University, law enforcement agencies, military bases, and many seminars with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, Taya Kyle, and other American patriots. His media appearances have included The Rick & Bubba Show, The Blaze Radio Network, Family Life Today, The 700 Club, The Glenn Beck Program, Team Never Quit Podcast with Marcus Luttrell, and many others.

Adam is the spokesperson for REBOOT Recovery First Responders, a non-profit organization which focuses on providing faith-based trauma healing for first responders and service members. He is supported by his wife, Amber, of 20 years, and three children.

adam@theadamdavis.com

*Allison Uribe - Wives on Duty

Allison is a pastor, conference speaker and author. In 2008, she and her husband, an Antonio, TX Police Officer, founded Wives on Duty Ministries with a mission to support, encourage, and inspire spouses of First Responder's through God's word. For 5 years, Allison was a substation chaplain with the San Antonio Police Dept. She has written 3 books to First Responder spouses, "Because I'm Suitable- The Journey of a Wife on Duty", "Cuffs and Coffee: A devotional for wives of America's Law Enforcement Officers." She recently released "Because I'm Suitable- Revised Addition" Allison is a national conference speaker with Bless the Badge and speaks regularly at Billy Graham Law Enforcement Retreats.

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Speaker

Stan Partlow - Retired Commander Columbus Police Dept. Special Agent FBI & Vice President & Chief Security Officer - American Electric Power

Bio-

Stan Partlow joined AEP in October 2005. Stan recently retired as the Vice President and Chief Security Officer and had responsibility for Cyber Security, Physical Security and Aviation. During his AEP career, Stan has also had responsibility for the AEP motor vehicle fleet, the enterprise procurement function and business continuity.

Prior to joining AEP, Stan served the Law Enforcement community for over 25 years. Stan served the Columbus Division of Police for over 21 years and retired as the Commander of the Detective Bureau. Prior to that Stan served in numerous roles in Patrol, Narcotics, Professional Standards and Training during his tenure as an Officer, Sergeant and Lieutenant.

Stan served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1984-1988 where he was responsible for conducting a variety of criminal investigations. In his law enforcement career, Stan has supervised dignitary protection details, and has been a member of the protection staff of two Columbus Mayors. He has been a SWAT team member for the Charlotte Division FBI Team, and a member of the Columbus Division of Police Underwater Search and Recovery Team. Stan also served as a Hostage Negotiator for the Columbus Division of Police.

Stan is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Leadership College. Stan holds the designation of Certified Law Enforcement Executive from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. Stan completed the FBI Domestic Security Executive Academy. Stan earned the Certified Protection Professional certification from ASIS, a worldwide security organization. Stan completed the AEP/OSU Leadership Program and the Executive Level Targeted Development program.

Stan holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Capital University School of Law (1995), a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University (1990), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bowling Green State University (1980).

Stan is a member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin University and he serves on the Board of Directors of The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Stan is a founder of the Columbus Police Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors for First Responders' Bridge an organization dedicated to mental healing for first responders.

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Speaker

Deirdre DeLong - Program Coordinator, Critical Incident Response Service

Deirdre is an International Critical Incident Stress Foundation approved instructor, in both group and individual classes. She is the Director of the Critical Incident Response Service and member of the Mid-Ohio and Miami Valley CISM teams. Deirdre was an EMT, a volunteer firefighter and dispatcher before entering the Police Academy in 1988. She retired from the Blue Ash Police Department. She currently teaches in a basic Police Academy and CISM classes throughout the state.

ddelong@fopohio.org