It was February of 1974 when a completely unknown young gymnast, Kirk Mango, made a choice that would change the direction of his life and send him on an intense journey of self-discovery and accomplishment. His efforts would culminate in a State Championship, a high school All-American award and a full scholarship to compete in gymnastics at the NCAA Division I level for Northern Illinois University. What was most surprising and unbelievable about this was not only the achievement itself, but the fact that he did it in just one year-something nobody thought possible. For Kirk, it was the starting point of a career that has brought him numerous other awards and honors, first as an athlete, then as a coach and teacher.

In 2000, he was selected to the Northern Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame; there, his photograph hangs on the wall with some of the most prestigious athletes ever to attend and compete for Northern Illinois University. His most recent accolades include being chosen in 2009 as No. 8 of the Top 50 Athletes of All Time competing for NIU, induction into Willowbrook High School’s Inaugural Hall of Fame (with professional athlete greats, former Chicago Bears Tom Hicks, Cleveland Browns Matt Roth, former Philadelphia Phillies World Series pitcher Dan Schatzeder, and Milwaukee Brewers Jody Gerut), and induction into Northern Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame for a second time in October of 2010.

Kirk graduated NIU in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in education and in 1992 received his Master of Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Now retired, he taught high school students for 34 years and coached student-athletes for 17 of those years.

Michele Giorgianni is the First Responder Liaison at Aware Recovery Care.  She is 33 years sober, and a Former Juvenile Probation counselor. Michele has been a P/T Dispatcher at a Police Department in Fairfield County and has worked in recovery for over 25 plus years.

Website: https://www.awarerecoverycare.com

Jason Palamara is a U.S. Navy Veteran and a retired New York City Police Department Cold Case Homicide Detective with twenty- years of experience in forensic and criminal investigations. Jason has served as a peer support counselor with the NYPD and is the director of Veteran & First Responder Engagement for Forge VFR.  Jason is currently writing a book on police wellness and resilience with Barbara Rubel.

Website: https://forgehealth.com/vfr/

Jason Vanderground joined HAVEN as President in April 2021. In his role, he provides overall strategic, client and staff leadership for the firm, working alongside Bill McKendry, Founder and Chief Creative Officer.

HAVEN is the lead agency for the He Gets Us Campaign, providing overall management as well as strategic and creative direction. Jason and Bill have a professional relationship that spans nearly 25 years. Jason previously spent 10 years, from 1997 to 2007, working for Bill McKendry at Hanon McKendry, a ground-breaking firm out of Grand Rapids, which grew to be one of the largest marketing firms in Michigan. While there, Jason served as the lead consultant for the firm’s issue, cause and non-profit clients.

Following this role, Jason’s career took him to marketing leadership positions at Spectrum Health, a top healthcare system; Steelcase, the leading global furniture maker; and Irwin Seating, the leading maker of fixed seating. During that same period, he also earned an MBA from Western Michigan University. Jason brings to all his work and the He Gets Us campaign vast expertise in brand and marketing communication strategy, implementation and management for many national and global brands.

Steven Grant is a pastor at Destiny Christian Center, in Greeley, Colorado. He's also an author, musician and public speaker.

https://www.facebook.com/StevenGrantsAmerica/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-grant-b2059257/

Rich Wyatt moved to Colorado in 1981 to attend Gunsmithing School. Rich has 22 years in law enforcement and 25 years experience in firearms training, retiring as Chief of Police in Alma, Colorado. Rich first attended Jeff Coopers Orange Gunsite Ranch in 1987 and after instructing with Col. Jeff Cooper for several years was certified as one of only six Master Instructors by the Col. Rich is also certified by the NRA the P.O.S.T. board and the FBI. He is certified by most major manufactures of firearms as an armorer. He has taught thousands of students in both law enforcement and the private sector. He also had the honor of traveling and hunting Africa with Col. Jeff Cooper. Rich is also the host of Spike TV's Don't be a Victim series Practical Tactical.