Oct. 14, 2014 Speaker: Judy Keene, Next Step Service Dogs – How Dogs Help & Heal Veterans w PTSD

Judy KeeneWhen long-time friend Sally Montrucchio launched Next Step Service Dogs in 2012, Judy was compelled to help such an amazing cause where a small group of people can make a huge positive impact in the lives of wounded warriors with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

SashaJudy’s background includes a BA and MA in English from the University of Delaware, college teaching, and over 30 years as a publications manager/technical writer for hi tech startups and companies such as HP. Now a full-time volunteer administrator for Next Step Service Dogs, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Judy Keene is enthusiastic about their mission of training service dogs for veterans with PTSD, and hiring veterans to have careers as service dog trainers.

Her top goals include recruiting wonderful volunteers and with them, support service dog work to enhance and save veterans’ lives.

July 29, 2014 Speaker: Ed Hiner, US Navy SEAL Lt. Cdr, Ret’d – Making a U.S Navy SEAL

Ed HinerLieutenant Commander Ed Hiner retired in 2012 after 20 years as a United States Navy SEAL.

During his time in the SEALs, Lieutenant Commander Hiner has been a SEAL instructor, Officer in Charge of SEAL instructors at BUD/S training, Officer in Charge of instruction for all West Coast SEAL Teams, training officer for all SEAL Teams pre-deployment training programs; and training officer for all of Naval Special Warfare Center.

Commander Hiner was a Platoon Commander for SEAL Team Five and a Task Unit Commander for SEAL Team Two.  He served as Operations Officer for all SEAL Teams’ missions in the Pacific, an area that covers about half the planet.  He was also invited to work with the British Special Boat Service, the British version of the U.S. Navy SEALs, where he was Executive Officer and Team Leader for two years.  “Spot promoted” to Lieutenant Commander to command a Task Unit in Iraq, this was the first time in SEAL Team history a Lieutenant was promoted to Lieutenant Commander for this purpose.

He saw nine deployments on five continents, four of which were combat deployments.  He fought in three separate wars, including Iraq and Afghanistan.  He conducted literally hundreds of combat missions and direct actions under live fire, and countless low visibility operations in South America and Asia.  He was a tactical SEAL team member for 12 years with Teams Two, Four and Five.  He was twice awarded the Bronze Start with Valor.  He earned a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.

He is currently serving as a coach and consultant specializing in leadership, team building, mental toughness and personal conflict resolution.  His goal is to help people understand their own fears in order to get past them so they can unleash their human potential and open up the realm of possibilities.  His book on leadership with McGraw Hill unleashed in January of 2015.