Paul Butler

Paul Butler is an internationally renowned speaker, presenter, instructor, and entertainer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a
concentration in Culture and Communication, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He excels in the areas of motivation, leadership, customer service, and attitude empowerment. During his 27 years of law enforcement, he has been a public servant, training officer, sergeant, crisis negotiator, chief of police, and chief deputy. These opportunities have given him a unique perspective on a vast array of situations and circumstances that many people find themselves in every day. These experiences have helped him to develop the answers to questions and cures to problems most people are facing at work and in life on a continual basis. Paul became the chief of police of the Aynor Police Department at 22 years of age, making him the youngest police chief in the history of South Carolina. Born and raised on a small farm, his parents served as examples of hard work, common sense, personal responsibility, and respect for self and others. This has played heavily in his success in life and within each organization in which he has served.

He believes the power of a positive attitude can take you to the top or help you simply find happiness and pride in the current role you fill. A healthy attitude is often the key to both personal and professional success – this has certainly been the key to Paul’s success. As Chief Deputy of the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, he was selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2005 for the 220th Session. This 10-week, executive level course was host to 250 attendees from all 50 states and 29 countries around the world. Paul was selected by his class to be their graduation day speaker alongside then-FBI Director Robert Mueller. He continues to serve as the official Master of Ceremonies for the FBI National Academy Associates during their annual training conferences, which are held throughout North America.

To increase his outreach, Paul Butler Presentations was formed and he has been traveling the globe speaking, instructing, and entertaining for all types of groups, organizations, and events. He is consistently one of the highest-rated presenters on the market today and comes with strong references and a list of past and future exciting events.

https://www.paul-butler.com/

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Dan

Dan Cnossen
Lieutenant Commander, US Navy (retired), 3x Paralympian,
7x Paralympic medalist.

Dan Cnossen was raised on a fifth-generation family farm in Topeka, Kansas. After successfully completing SEAL qualification training in 2003, he deployed numerous times in support of
global special operations. As a SEAL platoon commander, he was severely injured in 2009 in Afghanistan, resulting in the amputation of both legs above the knees.

Turning to sport for recovery, he began training for the U.S. Paralympic ski team in 2011 as a cross-country skier and biathlete. He has since competed for Team USA in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Winter Games and is the first male athlete to win a gold medal for the United States in biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing with precision shooting.

Cnossen holds a bachelor of science degree in English from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a master’s in theological studies from the Harvard Divinity School.

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Caralee Frederic

Caralee Frederic, LCSW, CGT, SRT owns a group practice in Colorado Springs, CO where all the therapists specialize in using the Gottman method to work with couples, with a focus on recovery from trauma and addictions. Caralee has been married to her LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) for 28 years and is the mother of 3 amazing young men 18, 22, 24. In addition to being a Certified Gottman therapist, Caralee is a Certified Sex Addiction Recovery therapist, Certified in Discernment Counseling and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  She has presented the Art and Science of Love couples workshops for over 8 years and trains other clinicians in the Gottman method. 

(Please note: Jonathan and Caralee are following our one-day training with a 2-day couples workshop in Colorado Springs. Tap here to register.

"I believe relationships are the very essence of life, and every person deserves to feel safe and well cared for". --- Caralee Frederic

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William A.Gallegos

William (Billy) Gallegos was born in Pueblo, Colorado.

His Marine Corps career started in 1977. He attended Marine Corps Depot in San Diego, CA. He was assigned to Marine Security Guard Battalion in Quantico, VA. Upon graduation from Marine Security Guard school he was assigned to the American Embassy Tehran, Iran. During his assignment in Iran the American Embassy was overrun by militants and he was held captive by the Revolutionary Government of Iran from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981 (444-days). Upon his release from captivity, Sgt. William Gallegos completed his military enlistment and was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. During his military service he earned numerous military awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Department of State Award for Valor. Upon his discharge, he returned to Colorado where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado.

William (Billy) Gallegos began a career in law enforcement as a Denver Sheriff and joined the Denver Police Department in 1994. His assignments with the Denver Police Department include street patrol officer, Vice and Narcotics and Denver police Intelligence unit where he was on loan to the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Joint Terrorism Task Force from 2004 to 2018. His police awards include numerous commendations as well as three Denver Police Distinguished Service Crosses and a Purple Heart. He retired from law enforcement in November 2018.

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Silouan Green

Silouan Green is the host of The Pilgrim’s Odyssey podcast, and is a nationally-recognized speaker on trauma and overcoming adversity. He is the primary lecturer on PTSD, Peer Support, and Resilient Leadership for the Public Agency Training Council, the world’s #1 trainer of first responders, and teaches conflict management for the Police Executive Leadership College.

Silouan has written two books, Who Am I? and Sycamore Hill, and is the creator of the evidence-based life skills program, The Ladder UPP.

Silouan is proud to be a former US Marine. As a disabled veteran who overcame PTSD, he has served our Armed Forces and Veterans for over 20 years in their battle against the mental injuries of war.

Silouan lives in an old farm house in the woods with his wife and nine children.

Silouan Green – Speaker and training on suicide prevention, peer support, PTSD, and leadership.

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Andy Haffele

Andy Haffele grew up in Monroe, WI and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001. After graduation, he received orders to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, CA.  After earning his SEAL Trident, he reported to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE (SDVT-1) in Hawaii in 2003. Shortly thereafter, he was critically injured during a live-fire training exercise, but somehow miraculously survived. A year later on June 28^th, 2005, his former platoon was deployed to Afghanistan and was intimately involved in a military operation that inspired the book and subsequent movie, Lone Survivor.

After years of both physical and mental therapy, he was medically retired from the Navy in 2008. Afterwards, he worked in the IT industry of corporate America for a few years before transitioning to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office where he’s worked in a variety of different capacities since 2014.  Kristina, his wife of nearly 20 years, has been by his side every step of the way. They have been blessed with 3 amazing boys.

Andy feels very fortunate to have been graced with multiple second chances at life through his unique experiences. He is dedicated to sharing all of the wisdom gained from years of adverse physical and mental struggles. God has blessed him with the highest of highs this life has to offer, but also the lowest of lows. These trials have provided him a platform to present his story and assist those in their darkest hour. Andy reflects back on the challenges he has faced as a blessing and an opportunity to tell his story of survival, resilience, faith, and love to organizations across the country.

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Mike Lowe

Mike Lowe has spent the entirety of his 25-year legal career representing law enforcement officers and their agencies in civil, criminal, and administrative. He has represented thousands of law enforcement officers in state and federal courts, and at both the trial and appellate levels. Over the last quarter-century, he has represented law enforcement officers from almost every jurisdiction in Colorado, and has responded to over 350 critical incidents.

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Jon

Jon Macskill

Jon Macaskill (muh-KAS-kill) is a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned consultant and mindfulness and meditation teacher. He was born in South Africa but grew up in Ruston, Louisiana.

After graduating high school, he served briefly as an enlisted sailor in the US Navy before receiving an appointment to the US Naval Academy and graduating from there with a BS in mathematics 4 years later.

Jon served in Iraq, Afghanistan, off the coast of Somalia, and in Panama.

After retiring, he served briefly as the Deputy Executive Director for the veteran nonprofit, Veteran’s PATH. He now runs a podcast called Men Talking Mindfulness; does keynote speaking engagements on developing leadership, grit, and resilience; and owns his own consulting company, Macaskill Consulting, LLC. In all three roles, his desire is to improve cultures and individuals through mindfulness, meditation, vulnerability, and compassion.

Jon’s wife, Beka, also served in the Navy and is now a civilian Orthopedic Physician Assistant. Together, they are the proud parents of three small children, and recently after an adventurous 6 months as a family in an RV, they have settled on a small farm in Colorado Springs.

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Misty Mason

Ben has been an Emergency Department physician for over 20 years. After he completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Denver Health in 2006 he moved his family to Glenwood Springs and began working in the emergency department at Valley View Hospital. He has served as
medical director for the Emergency Department for 4 years, and has held various leadership roles within the hospital and community including disaster response and COVID task forces. 

In 2014 Ben joined the Garfield County All Hazards Response Team after completing the Utah County SWAT school and served as a tactical medic and law enforcement officer for 4 years.

He is the current Medical Director for Glenwood Springs Fire Department and has been active in that role for over 10 years. In 2022 he stepped away from clinical medicine due to complications from an autoimmune disorder which gave him the opportunity to explore the startling incidence of mental health issues affecting front line workers. He began a podcast discussing the imbedded mental trauma for men and women experience while working as law enforcement officers, nurses, medics, doctors, therapists, 911 operators, wild land fire fighters and military veterans.

Ben is currently involved in imbedding strategies for recognition, intervention and self-care in medical education at the University of Colorado and Denver Health Emergency Medicine Residency programs, helping young EM physicians identify and off load work-place trauma,
and develop strategies to bullet proof mental homeostasis and prevent burnout. He is currently training in a fellowship in integrative medicine/lifestyle medicine and life coaching.

Emergency Medicine Physician, Valley View Hospital
Medical Director, Glenwood Springs Fire Department

The Grit Podcast With Dr. Ben Peery 
Follow Ben on Instagram: @drben0636
email: ben.peery@hotmail.com

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Ron Milhorn

Ron is a native of Southern California, born in the East LA neighborhood of Boyle Heights but raised in the South Bay communities of Hawthorne, Torrance and finally Redondo Beach where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife Randalea. The two of them ended up attending the University of Southern California where they both studied journalism. Ron played football for the Trojans for two years as a walk-on lineman under John Robinson while Randalea marched in three Rose Parades for the Trojan Marching Band and recorded with Fleetwood Mac on the Tusk album. 

The glitz, glamour, traffic and fast-paced lifestyle of LA lost its appeal however especially with their first child on the way. In 1985, four years after they were married and with an 8-month old son in tow, they moved to Summit County, Colorado in search of a better way of life. Following several challenging but rewarding years in the high country, the Milhorn family moved west to Garfield County in 1996 and have never looked back.

Ron and Randalea's oldest son Brock is a veteran of the US Navy having served on the Kitty Hawk.  He is now living in Monrovia, California with his wife Marlisse and working as a veteran's advocate and peer counselor.  His younger brother Boyd is just a few miles away living with his wife Leigh and our three beautiful granddaughters. Ron has been in broadcast journalism for 39 years and next January will celebrate 25 years as the News and Sports Director at KMTS. During his time covering numerous news events and countless high school sports games, Ron has earned over 130 awards from the Associated Press and the Colorado Broadcaster's Association for excellence in reporting and play-by-play.

Even with his 65th birthday right around the corner, this lifelong Dodger fan plans to continue broadcasting news and sports as long as the good Lord gives him the strength, stamina and voice to carry on. Ron is a proud supporter of America's veterans and is humbled and honored to share the stage with two decorated Navy Seals who served this nation with courage and distinction.

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Ben Peery, M.D. FACP

Ben has been an Emergency Department physician for over 20 years. After he completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Denver Health in 2006 he moved his family to Glenwood Springs and began working in the emergency department at Valley View Hospital. He has served as
medical director for the Emergency Department for 4 years, and has held various leadership roles within the hospital and community including disaster response and COVID task forces. 

In 2014 Ben joined the Garfield County All Hazards Response Team after completing the Utah County SWAT school and served as a tactical medic and law enforcement officer for 4 years.

He is the current Medical Director for Glenwood Springs Fire Department and has been active in that role for over 10 years. In 2022 he stepped away from clinical medicine due to complications from an autoimmune disorder which gave him the opportunity to explore the startling incidence of mental health issues affecting front line workers. He began a podcast discussing the imbedded mental trauma for men and women experience while working as law enforcement officers, nurses, medics, doctors, therapists, 911 operators, wild land fire fighters and military veterans.

Ben is currently involved in imbedding strategies for recognition, intervention and self-care in medical education at the University of Colorado and Denver Health Emergency Medicine Residency programs, helping young EM physicians identify and off load work-place trauma,
and develop strategies to bullet proof mental homeostasis and prevent burnout. He is currently training in a fellowship in integrative medicine/lifestyle medicine and life coaching.

Emergency Medicine Physician, Valley View Hospital
Medical Director, Glenwood Springs Fire Department

The Grit Podcast With Dr. Ben Peery 
Follow Ben on Instagram: @drben0636
email: ben.peery@hotmail.com

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Jonathan Shippey

Jonathan Shippey has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice since 1999 and has served clients in the Louisville, Kentucky area since completion of his Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in 1997. Jonathan also holds a Masters degree in music composition from Southern Seminary, as well as a Bachelors degree in biology from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Jonathan is a Clinical Fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Certified Gottman Relationship Therapist and Workshop Leader, having been personally trained by Drs. John and Julie Gottman at their Seattle Relationship Institute. He regularly leads the “Art and Science of Love” weekend workshop for couples and the Level 1 and 2 Gottman Method trainings for clinicians. Jonathan often serves as a roving therapist when the Gottmans lead couples workshops in Seattle and is among a select few whom John and Julie regularly invite to assist with private retreats in their home on Orcas Island, WA.

Jonathan is also currently pursuing certification as an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist, having completed an externship in EFT with Dr. Sue Johnson and the four EFT Core Skills workshops.  Jonathan’s specialty in the field of couples therapy has led to several national speaking engagements, including a presentation for US Navy Seal Team Five, as well as a workshop at the national convention of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. Jonathan created and has led several Couples Odyssey workshops for combat trauma survivors and their spouses on behalf of the Wounded Warrior Project. Prior to becoming a therapist Jonathan was an army officer in Germany, serving as a platoon leader of combat medics in a forward-deployed tank battalion, followed by service as the company commander of the 130th Station Hospital in Heidelberg during Operation Desert Storm.

As a presenter, Jonathan has an engaging, personable, and respectful style and enjoys using story and metaphor to help audiences easily comprehend the material and to motivate listeners to apply what they learn. As a clinician, Jonathan has a passion for helping distressed couples, abuse and trauma survivors, post-divorce families and stepfamilies, service-members and veterans, and couples recovering from betrayals of trust. He enjoys leading one-on-one couples intensives as well as more traditional weekly therapy. Jonathan is dedicated to integrating Gottman method with Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and applying the research to help couples and families not merely heal their relationships, but to create relationships that are healing.

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Dr. Ellen Stothard

Dr. Stothard is the Research and Development Director for the Colorado Sleep Institute. She earned her dual doctorate in Physiology and Neuroscience with a specialization in Sleep and Circadian Physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on understanding how daily activities, especially sleep/wakefulness behaviors and light exposure, can lead to altered behavioral decision making and adverse metabolic health outcomes.

Dr. Stothard’s academic accomplishments include papers published in peer-reviewed literature and research presented at regional, national, and international meetings. She has worked on and managed research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Office of Naval Research, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Research and Development companies. She is also an active member of the Sleep Research Society and American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

As part of her doctoral training, she was the project leader and co-lead author of a study examining how sleep and biological timing are impacted differently by electrical lighting in our modern environment compared to natural light in the outdoor environment. She had the opportunity to discuss the exciting findings of this study in interviews with local, national and international media, and private organizations, including Colorado Sleep Institute.

Dr. Stothard joined the Colorado Sleep institute in 2018 to continue the pursuit of her interest in sleep research. She is passionate about bringing research out of the laboratory and into the real world. She enjoys thinking outside of the box to find creative solutions, talking about sleep and circadian research, and is excited for the opportunity to work with the patients and colleagues at the Colorado Sleep Institute.

When her nose is not in a spreadsheet, you can find Dr. Stothard in the mountains, hanging out with friends and dogs, or eating ice cream.

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Chief Robert White

Robert White is a former Deputy Chief with the Flagstaff, Arizona Police Department where he served in multiple line and command positions over his 31-year tenure.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy 167th Session and remains actively involved in National Academy Associates continuing educational development and with the Arizona Chiefs of Police Association.

He holds both Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Northern Arizona University. He is also a graduate of the Southwest Command College and the Arizona Regional Policing Institute.

He has extensive experience instructing both law enforcement training sessions and at the University level in the area of management principles and customer service.

He is also a Leadership Development Instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In addition to his law enforcement experience, he is a certified Fire Fighter. He has instructed on the topic of Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement and is an instructor on this topic with E-S Press, Inc. He resides in Flagstaff, Arizona.

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William Young | Correctional Officer/Author/Influencer

Working in Corrections is crazy! Just being exposed to the environment can fundamentally change those that work inside. But even crazier than the environment, is that staff aren’t told that they’re going to change. That’s why William has made it his mission to warn and inform his fellow correctional officers of the dangers that are often unseen, unrecognized, and unreported.

William has worked in the correctional profession since 2005 and is the author of two books, When Home Becomes a Housing Unit and The Nothing That Never Happened and creates correctional content on his YouTube channel Just Corrections with William Young.

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