MEET THE TEAM
BOARD MEMBERS

President & Chief Executive Officer
Paul Llanez
Paul has more than twenty-five years of experience working in law enforcement, security, and risk management. He spent several years working as a task force agent and was promoted to acting task force commander with the California Department of Justice. For the last eighteen years, he has testified as an expert witness in both State and Federal court regarding narcotics, violent crimes, and workplace violence prevention. Paul has also been court-appointed as a subject matter expert on school safety and emergency preparedness for California schools. He currently serves in other leadership roles such as the elected Mayor for the City of Los Banos, a director on the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) board and a director on The League of California Cities Executive Committee

Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Luiana Irizarry
Luiana received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from CSU Stanislaus. She brings more than 20 years of experience in business administration, investment, and financial accounting. Prior to joining Knowledge Saves Lives, Inc. in 2018, Luiana proudly served for 7 years in the public sector at the Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement Association, where she participated in the management of a 1.7-billion-dollar pension system. During this period Luiana experienced how a financial institution persevered through the challenges of the Great Recession through teamwork, prudence, and strategic problem-solving. Luiana is versed in three languages and immigrated to the United States from Angola with her family in the early '80s. She is grateful, and proud to be an American Citizen, and attributes her success as a Portuguese African woman to the opportunities offered by the American dream. Through organization, process improvements, and implementation of new systems, Luiana provided an environment for Knowledge Saves Lives, Inc. to operate more efficiently and grow. In turn, the company was able to create a Southern California Division, Products Division, and Marketing Division. These are all improvements made with the intent to better serve the client and to capitalize on talent already residing within the company.

Chief of Operations
Preston Jelen
Preston is a 15-year law enforcement veteran with specific training and expertise serving as a School Resource Officer, POST Training Manager, Patrol Supervisor, and SWAT Team Leader. Preston is a POST certified instructor for several law enforcement courses, including Active Shooter and a Range Master. He furthered his education by completing instructor courses from The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as well as creating curriculum for both the California Senate Bill (SB1626 and SB390) campus security programs. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in the field of workplace violence prevention and mitigation as well as campus safety and security. Preston has taught numerous law enforcement officers, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals. He has also testified as an expert witness regarding firearms. Preston was awarded a Medal of Valor for a hostage rescue operation that took place in 2011.

Chief of Staff
Daniel Woods
Daniel is a 20-year law enforcement veteran currently working as a K9 operator for the Tracy Police Department. Daniel has held many positions in his career including Field Training Officer, Range Master, narcotics investigator, and served as member for two different regional SWAT teams. Daniel also has an extensive military background and is a United States Marine Corps veteran. He has been involved in several critical incidents over his career and has investigated and responded to situations of workplace violence. Daniel has interviewed and recruited some of the top violence mitigation experts in the Country. Daniel has taken his extensive knowledge of workplace violence prevention and mitigation, narcotics, criminal street gangs, and firearms, and applied his expertise to our programs.

Director of Operations & IT
Phillip Anderson
Phil began his education attending Columbia College and becoming part of the fire service. For the last twenty years he has worked in the food processing industry and serves as an OSHA instructor and confined space search and rescue trainer and supervisor. In 2010 he began to research and test school safety products as well as workplace violence mitigation tools. During his research, Phil designed and invented the first California compliant classroom lockdown device, the STEP1 device. In 2019 Phil authored the patent for the STEP1 device and began working with US and overseas manufacturing companies for production and distribution of the product.
REGIONAL PROJECT DIRECTORS

Central California Projects Director
Anthony Escobar
I retired from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in June 2017 and joined KSL in July 2017. I worked as an officer for the CHP in San Jose and in the Central Valley for just shy of 30 years. After retirement, I realized I still had a passion and drive to serve my community. Once I started working with KSL and became familiar with our curriculum, I realized I had found a great match to continue contributing to my community. My training and experience as a law enforcement officer while working for the CHP prepared me well for the work we do at KSL with training events and with our consulting services.
I have two daughters who were in high school when I started at KSL and I quickly realized helping educators prepare for emergencies was an excellent and very needed and necessary service. We trained the staff at the school district where my kids attended, and when my youngest was a senior in high school, I got that call one day. Well, it was a text from my daughter. Her text read, "There's a shooter on campus." The campus locked down quickly and efficiently and nobody was physically hurt. It ended up being a hoax. An unknown student stole a walkie talkie from a janitor and yelled, "Shooter on campus! Shooter on campus!" into the radio. So the entire town was terrified and traumatized for about 3 hours until it was discovered to be a hoax. I, too, was terrified for my daughter and her classmates and teachers. During those moments, I wished EVERY educator everywhere had gone through our training, and I realized I wanted to teach every educator everywhere how to prepare for emergencies and especially how to lock down the classroom. I look forward to working with you.

Southern California Projects Director
Pasquale Guida
P.J. Guida comes to Knowledge Saves Lives, Inc. with more than 30 years of law enforcement experience in the Southern California area. He rose through the ranks of law enforcement, eventually being promoted to Police Lieutenant with the Santa Monica Police Department. He is currently assigned as the Special Assistant to the Director at the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A. IMPACT).
He began his career in law enforcement as a forensic specialist and worked various assignments to include Patrol, Community Relations, Public Information Officer (PIO), Internal Affairs, Youth & Family Services, SWAT, Narcotics (L.A. IMPACT), and various crime impact teams. In 2002, Lieutenant Guida was awarded the Young Police Officer of the Year Award for his work in helping establish the department’s first Youth & Family Services Division. P.J has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice - Management, a graduate of the FBI National Academy (#218), and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training’s (POST) Command College.

Client Services Director
Dave Westrick
Dave has 30+ years of law enforcement/government experience in California. He is married to wife, Liz. He has two adult children. He enjoys extreme endurance competitions, adventure racing, rodeo, and volunteering with local causes. Chief Westrick began his law enforcement career in 1991 in the City of Los Banos. He moved onto Redwood City PD in 2001 and Hollister PD in 2003.
He was sworn-in as Chief of Police in July of 2013. He retired in 2019. He is currently the Public Information Officer for San Benito County.
Assignments he has worked include patrol, traffic, gangs, SRO, PIO, training, street crimes, budget, and investigations as he promoted thru the ranks.
He was one of the first law enforcement executives on social media in the nation and was a featured TED speaker at TEDx Salinas.
In addition to being a Crisis Communications expert he has testified as an expert, and has received advance training in gangs/gang violence, sexual assault, DUI, drugs & paraphernalia, Deep & Dark WEB, ICS (industrial control systems), social media and civil service/ bargaining unit negotiations/HR.
Dave's education includes:
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Union University (Cincinnati, OH) – Public Administration (BA).
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FBI National Academy - Session 271 (Quantico, VA) graduate.
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Sherman Block Leadership Institute (Sacramento, CA) graduate
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California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) – Emergency Management certification

Northern California Projects Director
John Wilson
John is the founder of CBL Training and Consulting, established in 2004. He has served as a sergeant in a major California law enforcement agency where he led a crisis intervention training unit. He is Advanced Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified. He has worked street patrol, auto theft and drug investigations, general crimes, and as a police academy instructor (criminal law, impaired driving, and physical training). He has been certified as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and DRE instructor, homicide investigator, crime scene investigator (CSI), electronic surveillance (wiretap) operator, advanced sex crimes investigator, auto theft investigator, DOJ-BNE narcotics investigator, advanced rural and urban surveillance, and TSA Behavioral Detection among other certifications. Before becoming a peace officer, he was an "Outdoor Adventure Education Supervisor" for an at-risk youth program with the Tulare County Office of Education. He also worked for King's View Center as a "Child Care Worker" for a live-in substance abuse treatment facility in Fresno County. John served as a seasonal US Forest Service Wildland Firefighter in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Kings Canyon. John is an honorably discharged, non-commissioned officer (NCO), U.S. Army veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 25th Infantry Division, and an augmented member of the Joint Task Force - Full Accounting (JTF-FA)(62nd JFA)(Socialist Republic of Viet Nam). He is currently a Chaplain's Assistant/Religious Affairs NCO (serving all faiths) and a Military Emergency Management Specialist with the California State Guard (Army). John is certified by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc in "Assisting Individuals in Crisis" and "Group Crisis Intervention." John has 1,000s of hours of domestic and international instructional experience from youth to adults and from a diverse international spectrum of government organizations, private organizations, and private citizens. John is a POST certified academy instructor, scenario coordinator, Institute of Criminal Investigation and Instructor Development Institute Level II instructor, POST physical training instructor, Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) instructor, and Force Options Simulator instructor. He has been involved in a deadly police combat shooting, has watched a fellow officer suffer gunshot wounds, and has witnessed the death of a fellow peace officer. John has been shot twice in the line of duty and he takes employee and public safety very seriously.
John graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science General Psychology and focuses his practical and educational achievements on tactical bio-psychology and outdoor adventure. John has been married since 1996, has children, enjoys serious outdoor adventure, is an ultra-marathon runner (100 miles), an Ironman finisher (140.6 miles), and is a Christian.

Special Projects Director
Kristian Anderson
Kris began his career in the United States Air Force, specializing in high-value priority resource protection and security. He became an expert in weapons qualifications and was a fire team leader as well as a squad leader. Kris has spent the 11 years as a correctional officer and was promoted to sergeant with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He has received extensive training in the field of firearms from the Front Sight Firearm Training Institute. Kris has brought his insight from military security protocol, as well as safety policies from the California prison system, to help keep schools safe. He has continued his education in the field of aviation and video surveillance best practices. Kris currently oversees camera mapping as well as fire prevention mapping for clients across the State.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Accounting Manager
Hailee King
Hailee earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Stanislaus State University in 2019. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of California, Merced in just three years and graduated in 2017. Hailee has a background in both administration and accounting, and prior to working at Knowledge Saves Lives she gained valuable experience working at a local accounting firm. Education is an incredibly important part of Hailee’s life and she tries to learn from and improve on any task she works on.
Outside of work, Hailee enjoys spending time with her family, painting, and travelling. She also enjoys watching Formula 1 racing. One of her top bucket list items is to watch a Formula 1 race in Singapore.

Marketing Coordinator
Irene Enriquez
Irene is a LA native who moved up to the Central Valley to pursue her Bachelor’s degree at UC Merced. In 2022, Irene earned her Bachelor’s in Sociology and Economics from UC Merced. Living her college years away from her hometown pushed Irene to become more independent and she strived to build a life of her own. With the support of her family and friends, she became motivated to continue living in the Central Valley to find an opportunity to amplify her sense of independence and adventure. Being naturally creative, she sought a chance to express it through marketing. Beginning her career in marketing, she hopes to one day hold a high-level marketing position.
Outside of work, Irene enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching tv, and doing arts & crafts. Irene values quality time and getting to know everyone around her. Her favorite place in the world is Yosemite National Park.

Administrative Coordinator
Jenn Flora
Jenn was born and raised in Turlock and is a Pitman High School graduate. In 2016, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an Option in Management from California State University Los Angeles.
When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her wife and their 3 cats: Bellatrix, Padfoot & Tonks (Nugget). Jenn also enjoys Spartan Obstacle Races with her mom. They’ve completed 10+ races and absolutely love the challenge. She is also a Disney fanatic. She’s been to Disneyland more times than she can count. She and her wife bought annual passes as a honeymoon gift to each other and go as often as they can.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA TEAM

Training Team Supervisor
Albert Flores
Albert enjoyed a 29-year career in law enforcement before retiring from the Merced County District Attorney’s Office. Albert served as a patrol officer, detective, and narcotics agent at multiple agencies early in his career, before moving to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department in 1999. While at the Sheriff’s Department, Albert worked patrol, was a range master, a member of the dive team, and a field training officer. In 2002 Albert was hired by the Merced County District Attorney’s Office as a Criminal Investigator and he served in that position for more than 18 years. In addition to investigating homicides and general felonies at the District Attorney’s Office, Albert was the agency’s firearms and tactical instructor along with being the departments armorer. Albert was also assigned to and ultimately served as the Commander of the Merced Multi Agency Gang Task Force. Albert has testified as an expert witness on firearms and gangs in various matters over the years. More recently, Albert has been providing firearms and tactical training to private individuals on a routine basis. Albert is a POST Certified Active Threat Instructor and has been instructing with KSL since 2015.

Training Team Supervisor
Mark Frontella
Mark is a 29-year veteran firefighter/engineer, USMC veteran and has been a first responder to major incidents, such as violent crimes with multiple victims and incident command center operations. Mark has also been assigned to several strike teams for major fires. from Southern California to Northern California, Mark is a FEMA certified instructor on Incident Command Operations and Major Incident Response. Mark brings his knowledge of responding and teaching others how to respond to a major incident, such as an active shooter or another emergency on campus. He also has certified training in Haz Mat Fire Prevention, Early Bomb recognition and Rescue Systems one and two.
“I feel the training KSL provides is an especially important Tool for the public and can be used in any setting from work to everyday life. As a Firefighter we train for the worst-case scenario all the time as my brothers do in law enforcement. We train for not if it might happen, as for when it does happen, we do not second guess our decisions. Being proactive is the first step in any training environment. It is a privilege and honor to help and share my knowledge with the public I have been involved in trainings for Schools, and school Buses and for large and small businesses and site assessments. To me Providing important information and helping the public, is what being a first responder is all about”-Mark Frontella.

Training Team Supervisor
Rich Howard
I got out of the Marine Corps in 1993 after serving in the first Gulf war. It wasn't long before I realized I wanted to pursue a law enforcement career. I spent 21 years as a law enforcement officer. During that time, I worked a wide variety of assignments, and grew partnerships in the community. I joined KSL while still working as a Sergeant at the Merced County Sheriffs Office. My years of police work and training complimented the mission KSL was devoted to, providing knowledge to a higher level than was typically offered to the general public. Training our education staff for emergency and critical incident response is an exciting, and rewarding assignment that I have been excited to hero with since my very first class.
In 2017 I was present as a spectator at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, where I experienced first hand being involved in an active shooter incident. While that was, and remains a very difficult event, the lessons I learned from it must be shared. While we can't control others actions, helping train those who could find themselves in a critical incident may very well save their lives or someone else. My knowledge through working with KSL helped me immensely to react, and not freeze during a horrific event. Knowledge truly does save lives, and I'm proud to be associated with KSL and to be able to contribute to the mission.

Instructor/Consultant
Rudy Alvara
My name is Rudy Alvara and I was a police officer for fifteen years. During my career, I worked for three different agencies. I started with the City of Los Banos, then the city of Santa Maria, and ended in the City of Fresno.
During my career, I held several different positions. I was a patrol officer, field training officer, narcotics detective, crisis negotiations officer, and motor officer, and I was also part of the honor guard. I was involved in numerous critical incidents, including two officer-involved shootings and one active shooter incident. I also acted as an undercover detective, which led to the purchase of narcotics and guns. These investigations led to the arrests and convictions of drug dealers and gang members.
I have had numerous training hours in different aspects of law enforcement, including narcotics training, traffic accident investigations, DUI enforcement and active shooter trainings. I currently have an intermediate officer certificate through POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training).
In my spare time, I enjoy camping, fishing and hunting, and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to my future with Knowledge Saves Lives, and hope to empower as many people as I can, to learn how to remain safe, during critical incidents.

Instructor/Consultant
Daniel Balos
I'm a recently retired California Highway Patrol officer with over 27 years of service. I have extensive training with weapons as I was a Firearms Instructor for 14 years, with extensive active shooter training. I served undercover in drug units (SCDU) and auto theft units (Stancatt). I was also part of the Community Alliance Team (CAT) where I worked with neighborhood watches, school programs, and businesses by helping with safety programs and targeted criminal issues in the neighborhood. I was in the US Marine Corps from 1985-1988. I have 5 adult children and 9 grandchildren to keep me busy! KSL is a great transition for me and I'm very excited to come to be a part of the KSL Team!

Instructor/Consultant
Brian Carr
Brian Carr has a law enforcement background that spans nearly 35 years. He started as a young man with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office in the 80s before beginning a rewarding career with the California Highway Patrol. During his 30-year career with the CHP, Brian trained and gained expertise in Advanced Accident Investigation and Felony Hit and Run Follow-up. Brian also trained with the US Military and the California Department of Justice to assess State of California facilities for security vulnerabilities. These assessments help State administrators secure their facilities against possible terrorist or other threats. Brian additionally received training in fingerprint recognition and forensic headlamp analysis. Brian was promoted to Sergeant and was tasked with field supervision and administrative investigations and report writing before retiring in 2018.

Instructor/Consultant
Steve Cavallero
Steve has more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement including several assignments during his time as a California Highway Patrolman, including patrol supervisor. His assignments include 14 years in the Central Division Protection Unit, working with the United States Secret Service. Steve also spent time working for the Merced County Sheriff's Office in the background unit.

Instructor/Consultant
Glenn Cadwell
Glenn comes to KSL with over 30 years of public safety experience in Texas and California. He has enjoyed a broad spectrum of assignments throughout his career, assignments that lend themselves to the overall mission at Knowledge Saves Lives.
He retired from Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department where he was a Sergeant. As a part of his duties, he was the team leader for the Hostage Negotiations/Crisis Response Team. In addition, his responsibilities included management of the Sheriff’s Command Post Mobile Unit. He supervised deputies in Patrol and Courts Divisions. Early in his career he was an integral part of the Community Policing Team where the team identified community issues, involved affected stakeholders, and developed community-specific solutions to issues endemic to their communities. As a spinoff from the Community Policing Team, he developed a successful ‘Midnight Basketball Program’ designed to keep young teens and adults off the streets during crime time hours on Saturday nights. The same team developed a Straight Life Prison Program where juveniles attended a one-day tour of local prison facilities, utilized local counselors and assisted attendees in modifying behaviors, thus avoiding crime and the potential for incarceration.
Glenn was also a Field Training Officer, Hostage Negotiator, Police Academy Instructor, In-Service Instructor for the Sheriff’s Department, and a member of the Gang Task Force and DUI Task Force. Currently, Glenn is the Public Safety Director at Columbia College in Columbia, California. Part of his duties include reviewing and improving campus safety protocols which include active shooter response, building assessments, and designing processes addressing any identified safety issues
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute and University and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University. He has also taught college courses at Modesto Junior College, Kaplan University and Heald College.
In his rare off time. Glenn is addicted to playing basketball, hanging out with his kids, and coaching and watching their sports activities. Boating is another pleasure he enjoys with his family enjoying the many lakes in Northern California.

Instructor/Consultant
Chad Earle
Chad grew up in Modesto, Ca and graduated from Johansen High School in 1997. After several years working various jobs, Chad began focusing on Law Enforcement as a career. The events of September 11th, 2001 made the final decision for him. He knew that day that he was going to become a Police Officer, and serve his community. In March of 2002 Chad started the Academy and graduated in August of 2002.
Chad started in Law Enforcement in 2003 and served in the force for the Newman Police Department. In 2010 Chad was promoted to Police Corporal, and later in 2016 was promoted to Sergeant. In 2008, Chad and another officer formed the Newman Police K-9 Association. This is a non-profit which was founded to bring apprehension and narcotics K-9's to the Newman Police Department. The unit was fully funded strictly through donations and fundraisers and is still operational today.
During his tenure at the Newman Police Department Chad worked in several different areas including Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Rangemaster, Taser Instructor, and K9 Handler. After 18 years of service, Chad left the Newman Police Department in 2021 to run his Woodworks business. Chad is currently a reserve officer with the City of Newman.

Instructor/Consultant
Ernesto Ferraro
Ernesto obtained his Bachelor of Science in International Business with a concentration in Spanish from Sacramento State. He and his family migrated to the U.S from Uruguay in the late 70s and he was the first in his family to graduate from an American university. While attending college he worked in the private sector in various capacities from sales to constructing homes. He has 19 years of Law Enforcement experience. During his career in law enforcement he has worked in the following assignments; as a patrol officer, narcotics detective, auto-theft taskforce, hostage negotiations, SWAT, and as a detective in a general investigations unit where he worked on cases varying from homicides to identity theft and fraud. He also spent three years working as a sexual assault and crimes against children investigator.

Instructor/Consultant
Craig Fairbanks
I was employed by the City of Salinas Police Department for 18 years. I worked as a Patrol Officer before spending 4 years as a School Resource Officer working with Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. I was a Gang Resistance Education and Training instructor. This program involved teaching the G.R.E.A.T curriculum, developed to dissuade delinquency, violence, and gang membership, to middle school students. I served as a Field Training officer for 3 years, training and evaluating new police officers. I worked as a Certified Taser instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Impact Weapons instructor. I spent time in personnel and training and Gang Intelligence and Investigations.
I have been a girls' travel softball coach and served on the board of the Hollister Heat girls' softball organization. I also spent 3 years coaching Baseball at the High School level, at Soquel High School and Scotts Valley High School, in Santa Cruz County.

Instructor/Consultant
Brandon Griffith
Brandon began his law enforcement career in 1988 as a level 1 Reserve Deputy for the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and worked a season with the California Department of Justice’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (C.A.M.P.) as a Raid Team Member in Humboldt, California. He transferred to the Correctional Division in 1989. He spent the next 7 years as a Correctional Officer, most of which was spent as a Facility Training Officer and was later assigned to the Correctional Gang and Classification Unit. Additionally, he joined the Divisions Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) and in 1995 became a Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor for the department.
Brandon was promoted to Sergeant in 1996. During his time as a Sergeant, he worked a variety of positions. He continued as a Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor and was designated the Sergeant for S.E.R.T. Brandon supervised the Sheriff’s Work Release Program, Classification and Transportation Units. He became a Background Investigator and supervised the Correctional Background and Training Unit. During this time, Brandon was assigned to the Merced County Sheriff’s Correctional Academy as an instructor and the Academy Coordinator. He also worked as an Adjunct Instructor for Merced Junior College, instructing correctional related courses and firearms training for their reserve peace officer classes.
After 31 years, Brandon retired in 2019 as a Sheriff’s Senior Sergeant. He is currently a Reserve Deputy with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and continues to provide firearms and tactical training in the private sector.

Instructor/Consultant
Josh Houtekamer
21 years in the fire service Engineer/EMT
I enjoyed working in the community I was raised in. I also fought multiple wildfires all over California. Besides Fire and medical, I was trained in hazmat, technical rescues, swift water rescue, rope rescue, heavy operations, trench rescue, auto extraction, multiple casualty incidents, fire prevention, and how to be an instructor. I learned a lot from great mentors that helped me throughout my career. I enjoyed teaching fire safety classes and CPR/first aid for the public and first responders.
I enjoy coaching youth football, basketball, and baseball in my free time. Any chance I get, I will be at the beach with my family. Without them and their patience, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am a mental health advocate who now understands balance in life.
I look forward to shifting my career from a reactive role to more of a proactive one with KSL.

Instructor/Consultant
Buck Ledford
After graduating high school Buck joined the US military. He served 8 years active duty in the US Army. While serving in the US Army Buck was deployed during the first Gulf war and also spent 11 months in Bosnia. Buck left the military and began his career with the Merced County Sheriff Office in 1999. He spent six years working patrol during most of which he was a Field Training Officer. Buck was eventually assigned to the Detective Bureau where he worked a variety of assignments to include homicide detective. Buck was promoted to sergeant in 2012. As a sergeant Buck worked various assignments. He has been assigned as the Coroner Sergeant, training manager, backgrounds supervisor, and hiring/recruitment supervisor. Buck is currently employed at the Merced County Sheriff’s Office as a Lieutenant in charge of special operations. He has been on the Merced County Sheriff Regional SWAT team since 2002. Buck has been teaching arrest and control for his agency since 2004, and also teaches for the Merced Junior College Reserve Officer program. Buck enjoys teaching and serving the community. One of his favorite things at the Sheriff’s Office is being involved with Search and Rescue, the Sheriff Activities League, and Explorer program. Buck believes it’s important for law enforcement to positively connect with youth in order to gain their respect and support as young adults.
“I’m very excited to get the opportunity to work with the team here at KSL. Being able to share the things I’ve learned over the years with educators is something I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be involved with. I truly feel the things they learn while training with KSL will save lives.”

Instructor/Consultant
Greg Mahan
Greg is a 28-year law enforcement veteran currently serving as a Reserve Deputy with the Merced County Sheriff's Office. After working for the Tehama County S.O. and Merced County S.O. Greg retired in 2018. While a full time Deputy Greg worked street patrol, Investigations and as a School Resource Officer for two school districts. He was also a Field Training Officer for over 20 years. Greg was, and continues as, a Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor teaching firearm skills and active threat response. He is also currently active providing firearm and tactical training in the private sector.

Instructor/Consultant
Richard Mejorado
Richard has thirty years of law enforcement experience, which includes over 15 years as a trainer. He worked twelve years with the Dinuba Police Department where he rose through the ranks starting as a Reserve Officer, then promoting to Patrol Officer, Detective and Patrol Sergeant. His assignments included bicycle patrol, DARE, Explorer Advisor, Citizen Volunteer and Explorer Program Coordinator, Field Training Officer program, and Training Manger.
Richard went on to join the California Department of Insurance (CDI) Fraud Division as a Detective where he worked for eighteen years. His career included working in the Silicon Valley Regional Office, Golden Gate Regional Office, and Central Valley Regional Office. He joined the departments Computer Forensics Team where he assisted teams statewide in the seizure and processing of electronic evidence. He was also a member of the CDI Enforcement Tactics Training Unit (ETTU) as a part time Defensive Tactics Instructor and one of the departments first Building Entry Instructors. In 2014 he was selected as one of the departments first full time ETTU instructors where he traveled throughout the state training both sworn and non-sworn personnel in the departments nine regional offices. Richard has completed the POST Instructor Development Institute Advanced Instructor Certification and is a graduate of the FEMA National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA).

Instructor/Consultant
Raquel Rios
I am a 21-year veteran law enforcement officer. I have served as a patrol officer and the greater part of my career as a detective investigating crimes against children, domestic violence and sexual assaults. I have testified as an expert for domestic violence. I am a certified crisis negotiator. Over the span of 18 years, I have trained fellow law enforcement officers in the area of defensive tactics and arrest control techniques. I have taught women's self-defense classes. During my career, I provided physical training and defensive tactics training to police recruits at the Ray Simon Criminal Justice Training Center.
I am a proud Mother of two sons who serve in the United States Air Force. My life motto is "Never give up." I serve others with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Instructor/Consultant
Tom Stewart
Hello, my name is Tom Stewart, and I grew up in Modesto, CA. I graduated from Grace M. Davis High School before serving in the US Navy as a corpsman (medic). While serving in the navy, I also worked in the private sector as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
I entered the California Highway Patrol in 1996 and served as an officer for 26 years before joining the KSL (Knowledge Saves Lives) team. In 1998 I was involved in my first, and thankfully only, officer-involved shooting, teaching me many life lessons. Throughout my career as a CHP officer, I served as a traffic patrol officer and motorcycle officer and was part of a special enforcement unit. I was a field training officer for new officers, an advanced officer safety training instructor, and a munitions training instructor. I’ve had training in active shooter response, as an advanced drug recognition officer, and finally a commercial vehicle enforcement officer.
While working with KSL, I look forward to motivating, inspiring, and educating you to respond and remain safe during a critical incident.

Instructor/Consultant
Robert Strauch
Robert is a retired Assistant Fire Chief with over 41 years of experience. He holds a bachelor of science in business administration. He has certifications in fire command, fire management, fire investigation, fire prevention, rescue systems, confined space rescue, and hazmat response. He has been in several critical incidents involving wildfires, hazardous materials spills, violent crimes, and officer-involved shootings.
Robert has served as a Fire academy instructor for 7 years at Merced Junior College.
Robert is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with over ten years of experience stateside and overseas. He is currently serving the Veterans of Foreign War as a Senior Vice Commander and providing military honors at San Joaquin National Cemetery.
Robert will celebrate 36 years of marriage with his two children and three grandchildren.

Instructor/Consultant
William Walton
Bill Walton served 21 years as a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer while working in the San Jose and Modesto Area offices. He is married with three school-age children.
Bill grew up in the Sierra Foothills and excelled in athletics. He earned a full-ride basketball scholarship to the University of the Pacific (UOP) and successfully graduated from UOP with a degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Criminal Justice.
In November of 2000, Bill was hired by the California Highway Patrol and began his career with the CHP. He was assigned to the San Jose Area office for approximately 2 years and the Modesto Area office for approximately 19 years. Bill’s career was cut short due to an on-duty back injury and was medically retired in 2021.
During Bill’s time with the CHP, he had many experiences and roles throughout his career. A majority of his career was spent as a patrol officer on the graveyard shift, however; he was assigned to an FBI gang Taskforce for 4 years, a temporary auto theft investigator with a local task force, and a background investigator with the CHP Central Division, Field Training Officer, Officer In Charge, Community Alliance Team member, etc.
Bill experienced an off-duty emergency that helped him realize the importance of emergency preparedness and how thankful he was for the training and experiences he had as a law enforcement officer. April 15, 2013, Bill and his wife were at the Boston Marathon bombing. It was immediately apparent that the bombing was an attack and Bill and his wife were able to quickly navigate together throughout the City of Boston to safety.
Bill is eager to help your team plan and prepare to be successful in an emergency.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TEAM

Training Team Supervisor
Sergio Borbon
Sergio has 31 years of law enforcement experience in Southern California. During his time with Gardena PD, he worked patrol, motor officer, training officer, narcotics detective, traffic investigator, and was on SWAT as an operator or a team leader for over 28 years. He was on the peer support team and a department instructor in the areas of use of force, arrest and control, and driving. In addition, Sergio was instrumental in successfully managing a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety involving 20 agencies in LA County worth over $1.2 million annually. After promoting to Sergeant, he oversaw SWAT, District 3 supervisor (southern section of the City of Gardena), and a patrol shift supervisor. He was the weekend night shift Watch Commander when he retired this past year. Sergio was also employed for almost 15 years at El Camino College as a consultant for the South Bay Police Academy and an Adjunct faculty for the Administration of Justice department.

Training Team Supervisor
Tony Rios
Tony has over 25 years of law enforcement experience with the Fullerton Police Department. Early in his career, he was a full time DARE officer and spent three years as a School Resource Officer. He has worked as a detective in the Family Crimes Unit and as a detective in an under-cover capacity. He spent several years as a Field Training Officer before being promoted to Sergeant. As a Sergeant, he supervised the Field Training Program, Family Crimes Unit, and the Gang Unit before being promoted to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, he has managed Patrol, the Traffic Bureau and currently manages the Investigations Bureau which encompasses: Crimes Persons, Property Crimes, Special Investigations Unit, Narcotics, Community Services and Crime Scene Investigations. Tony is also part of a county wide training cadre that teaches Police Officers how to respond to Active Shooter incidents. Tony has been part of the SWAT team for over 20 years and rose from operator to Team Leader and ultimately, Commander. Tony also developed and manages the UAS/DRONE program at Fullerton Police Department and is a FAA approved pilot.

Southern California Client Services Coordinator
Michael Cabrera
Michael began his distinguished 20+ year law enforcement career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and later transferred to the Santa Monica Police Department. During his time in Santa Monica, Michael was selected for numerous special assignments which included: Mounted Patrol, SWAT, Gangs/Narcotics, Administration, Detective Sergeant and served as a patrol supervisor until his retirement. Michael has many years of training and was responsible for writing the department’s Field Training Manual and Policy and Procedures manual. Michael was also an adjunct professor at the community college level and private universities.
After his retirement, Michael spent 10 years in the private sector as a regional sales manager working with prestigious companies such as Heckler and Koch until his recent retirement. Michael brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to our team which he looks forward to sharing with our clients.

Instructor/Consultant
Sonia Florez
A native of Los Angeles, California, Sonia enlisted in the United States Army after completing high school. She served as an Intelligence Analyst Sergeant both in the United States and Europe. After being honorably discharged, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Masters’s degree in Organizational Leadership. In 1996 Sonia served as a police officer for the City of Alhambra until being hired as an investigator by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s (LADA) Bureau of Investigation (BOI) in 1999. She was assigned to numerous sections during her 21 years with the Bureau including Welfare Fraud, White Collar Crimes, Central Investigations, Justice System Integrity Division, Organized Crime Intelligence Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). She trained law enforcement personnel in the investigation of money laundering, asset forfeiture, search warrant execution, and management of voluminous cases. She has hundreds of hours of experience conducting surveillance, wiretapping, informant management, and undercover operations.
She supervised the LADA’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), which was utilized for high-risk arrest and search warrant entries. She also supervised the Gang Suppression Enforcement Team (GSET) which conducted numerous gang, truancy, and prostitution sweeps. As to both teams, Sonia was responsible for training personnel in the execution of tactical operations, active shooter encounters, and dignitary protection.
Sonia is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and holds a Supervisory POST Certificate. She retired in March of 2020 and has enjoyed hiking, traveling, and golfing with her husband.

Instructor/Consultant
Jack Gonterman
Jack was born and raised in the Los Angeles County area. After graduating from
high school in Lakewood, he spent six years in the United States Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. Jack enjoyed a 31-year law enforcement career; first as a Los Angeles County Deputy Marshal and then as a criminal investigator with the Los
Angeles County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant. While at the Bureau of Investigation, he served as their Rangemaster, tactical weapons instructor, and armor. He was a certified instructor in personal and vehicular surveillance, Standard Emergency Management Systems (SEMS), and in charge of an Emergency Response and Entry Team (ERT), Jack served as a senior investigator assigned to the Organized Crime Narcotics Division, Major Crimes Division, Child Abduction Team, and several fraud
divisions. During his tenure, Jack oversaw the Special Investigations Division and Special Operations Division, which included the District Attorney’s personal security team and all threats against District Attorney employees and their
families. He was also the sergeant in charge of the District Attorney’s Officer Involved Shooting Rollout (DART) team. Upon retiring, Jack established his own private investigation firm, which contracted with the Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection and
Health and Human Services conducting top secret background investigations and
Medicare Fraud investigations. Jack’s main motivation for becoming involved with Knowledge Save Lives is his connection to the community. He has two sons, and five
grandchildren who are or have been students, and has family members that are teachers that are subject to the senseless violence that is prevalent in our society today. It is his goal to provide teachers and school staff with the mental tools to make preplanned decisions when and if the need arises.

Instructor/Consultant
Joe Gutierrez
Joe currently is a Hearing Officer for the city of Los Angeles. He hears and rules on appeals to minor traffic infractions and vehicle impounds.
Joe was a senior consultant with CA POST from 2014 to 2017. He was the administrator for both the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) as well as the POST Command College.
He retired in July 2013 from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he was a Commander. During his time as a Commander, he had Department-wide oversight of the Homeland Security Division (SWAT, Aero Support, Emergency Operations) as well County-wide Court Security.
As an LASD Captain, he acted as “Chief” of a Los Angeles County community for 5 years and also commanded a specialized detective unit (Special Victims) as a detective Captain.
As a Lieutenant, he was a full-time SWAT commander with the LASD Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB). He commanded over 200 high-risk operations.
Joe has undergraduate college degrees in Business Administration and Administration of Justice, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. Between 2003 and 2006 he was an Adjunct Instructor/Lecturer with California State University, Long Beach, teaching classes to both undergraduate and graduate students in supervision, management, and critical incident management.

Instructor/Consultant
Jon Radus
Jon has been a police officer for more than 18 years in Southern California. He has worked a variety of assignments during his career, starting as a patrol officer. He has been a Gang Detective, Narcotics Detective, Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant, Field Training Supervisor, School Resource Officer, Program Manager, and he currently serves as Captain and his department’s Public Information Officer (PIO).
Jon was a member of a regional SWAT Team for 7 years. He has also been an Active Shooter Response Instructor, teaching police officers how to respond to active shooting threats. Coupled with experience managing school resource officers, his work as an Active Shooter Instructor gives him an exceptional understanding of the importance of school safety. He is also a Drug Recognition Expert - Instructor, educating police officers and community members from throughout the state on issues surrounding drunk and drugged driving, including helping to recognize the signs and symptoms of those under the influence of drugs

Instructor/Consultant
Dave Rynski
Dave has 31 years of law enforcement experience in Southern California. During his tenure with the Santa Monica Police Department he has served in a variety of assignments including Field Patrol and Training Officer, Narcotics/Vice Investigator, Background Investigator, Recruitment Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Tactical Training Officer at the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy, School Resource Officer for the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District and Patrol Rifle team member. Dave has subject matter expertise in weaponless defensive tactics, narcotics recognition and violence prevention.
Dave is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Delinquency Control Institute (Class 118) where he received the award for academic excellence. Dave is also a graduate of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Leadership Institute (Class 10). In 2009 Dave received the Rotary Officer of the year award for his dedicated work in Juvenile crime prevention while at the Santa Monica Police Department. In 1993 Dave received the Department’s Medal of Courage award for his life saving intervention of an armed subject.
Dave is married to an Orange County School teacher and has two teenage children providing him with a vested interest in keeping all schools as permanent safety zones.

Instructor/Consultant
Chapman Shallcross
Chapman “Chap” Shallcross, has 34 years of fire service experience in Southern California. He began his career as a USFS firefighter working as a “Hotshot” with Cleveland National Forest in Southern California. Chap retired after serving 31 years with the Orange City Fire Department. He has served in a variety of assignments including Firefighter, Paramedic, Fire Captain/Paramedic, Paramedic preceptor, and Lead Instructor for Swiftwater Rescue, Rescue Systems 1&2, and Trench Rescue. Chap also was a fire instructor for Santa Ana Fire Academy for 20 years as well as a FEMA CAT-5 rescue specialist, who sadly spent time in rescue/recovery post-Oklahoma bombing. Chap also was involved in the 1997 Cal Trans active shooter incident in Orange, feel free to ask him about the different levels of awareness.
Throughout Chap’s extensive fire service experience, he has received The Valor Award for duties above and beyond, the FEMA National Award for Oklahoma City Bombing, and Firefighter of the Year.
Chap is married to an Orange County School teacher and has three adult children which serve as critical incentives to provide the knowledge to save lives every day.

Instructor/Consultant
Joe Sampson
Joe is a native Angelino. After completing his undergraduate work at the University of LaVerne,
he spent five years as a high school teacher and volleyball coach in the LaVerne area.
After that time, Joe changed careers and entered the field of law enforcement, working for La Palma PD, Orange PD, and Morgan Hill PD. He served special assignments such as bike patrol, motorcycle officer, FTO, SWAT/ HNT, gang investigations, academy instructor, emergency/disaster preparedness unit supervisor, and PIO.
During his more than three-decade-long public safety career, Joe had the opportunity to work for the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), where he conducted managed projects conducted organizational assessments and strategic plans, and oversaw the POST