Team
Jason Brezler
Jason Brezler calls upon his extensive operational experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and New York City as he prepares leaders in high-risk industries to lead and perform at their best physically, mentally, and morally. Jason is a FDNY Lieutenant and presently assigned to the 1st Division in Lower Manhattan and was a Special Operations Firefighter in Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn, NY. He is also a principal architect of the FDNY’s Strategic Human Performance Initiative. Prior to becoming a FDNY firefighter and creating the Leadership Under Fire Team, Jason began his career as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has led Marines on several deployments abroad and was decorated for his combat service while leading combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq and Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He continues to serve as a Major in the Marine Corps Reserves and frequently lectures at U.S. Service Academies about navigating leadership and moral dilemmas in ultra-high-risk environments. Jason received a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University and graduated from the US Naval Academy where he played Division 1 baseball for the Midshipmen. He is the Founder and President of Leadership Under Fire.
Patti Murphy
Patti Murphy is the host and producer of the Leadership Under Fire Humanizing the Narrative Podcast (formerly Optimizing Human Performance Podcast). A native of Staten Island, New York, Patti started her career covering news across the five boroughs for a 24-hour television news channel. From 2014 to 2021, she joined the Fire Department of New York’s Office of Public Information, managing their internal website, DiamondPlate, which played a critical role in disseminating timely training and information. She is a feature writer for WNYF magazine and works on special projects for the FDNY Foundation and New York City Fire Museum. Patti is the first FDNY civilian employee to attend the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security. She is an ultra-marathon runner and holds a Bachelors in Communications from Baruch College.
Dr. Jonathan Fader
Jonathan Fader, PhD, is a licensed clinical and performance psychologist. He is best known for working with professional athletes in the MLB and NFL, including The New York Mets and The New York Giants. Fader is the co-founder of Union Square Practice, a mental health center, and SportStrata, a performance coaching group, located in New York City. Dr. Fader regularly works with athletes, performers, entrepreneurs, businesses, schools, physicians and with first responder groups such as the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). He speaks to groups, on topics of mindfulness, motivational enhancement, improving performance, stress reduction, communication and team building. Dr. Fader is a Motivational Interviewing trainer and is part of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). He is a co-author of the books, Coaching Athletes To Be Their Best: Motivational Interviewing in Sport as well as his debut book Life as Sport.
Eric Nurnberg
Eric Nurnberg is a Deputy Chief with the Iowa City Fire Department and a second generation firefighter. Deputy Chief Nurnberg is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Iowa.
In 2013, Eric graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. His research during the four-year program focused on rapid tactical decision-making under stress and the psychological/physiological effects of stress on tactical performance. He continues to research human factors related to tactical performance. Eric is the co-author of “FirePsyche: Mental Toughness and the VALOR Mindset for the Fireground."
Gabe Angemi
Gabe Angemi is a second-generation member of the Camden NJ Fire Department. He presently serves as a Captain and is assigned to Squad Company 7. Gabe has spent many years serving in Camden’s Special Operations companies and has been a member of NJ-TF1 FEMA USAR since 2008. He completed undergraduate study in Public Safety Administration from Neuman University and holds a master’s degree in Emergency & Disaster Management from Georgetown University. Gabe serves as a Tactical Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Charlie Black
Charlie Black is a retired US Marine Lieutenant Colonel with over 26 years of diverse leadership, contingency and combat experiences on three continents with conventional, special operations and coalition forces. He is the Co-Founder and a Managing Partner at Xundis Global, LLC, which specializes in navigating complexity through creative and reflective application of design, strategy and planning to realize favorable futures. Born and raised in a multi-generational fire service family he has an appreciation for the demands of high-risk and mission-oriented endeavors. He is currently focused on design thinking initiatives with US Special Operations, US Cyber Command, Romanian Défense Forces and Pasco County Florida Sheriff’s Office. Charlies serves an Operational Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Tim Clarke
Timothy Clarke is an FDNY Firefighter in Ladder Company 12 in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and an International Association of Firefighters Peer Certified Fitness instructor. He spent three years racing professionally in the sport of triathlon and is a QT2 systems level 3 certified triathlon coach. As both an athlete and a coach, Tim has spent the last 10 years using biometric heart rate data as a tool for training and racing. His experience has given him a unique insight into what happens inside the human body during high-risk fires, emergencies and events as well as during workouts and recovery. Tim is a graduate of the University of Delaware and serves as a Human Performance Data Analyst for Leadership Under Fire.
Mickey Conboy
Lieutenant Mickey Conboy is a 30+ year veteran of the FDNY. He is presently assigned to Rescue Co. #3 in the Bronx. Mickey previously served in Engine Co. 79, Ladder Co. 37 and Rescue Co. #3 as a fireman and Squad Co. 41 as a Lieutenant. Mickey is an Adjunct Instructor at the FDNY Fire Academy and the FDNY’s Technical Rescue School. He was instrumental in the development of the course curriculum for the Firefighter Victim Removal Traning for FDNY Special Operations Command firefighters and officers. Mickey serves as a Tactical Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Paul Conway
Paul Conway is a third-generation firefighter having served 31 years in the field, retiring as the Chief of Operations for Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2012. During his time as Chief, he worked in conjunction with federal, state and local agencies in the Southwest Threat Analysis Center. Chief Conway also partnered with other local fire departments in developing joint operations, enhancing radio interoperability and improving training and response capabilities. He also served with the New Berlin Volunteer Fire Department-WI for seventeen years. In 1985, Chief Conway used his fire service experience and passion to establish Conway Shield. His business strives to be a leading source of protective gear, safety equipment and educational resources in the country.
Recordo Demetrius
Recordo Demetrius is a firefighter with the FDNY and assigned to Ladder Co. 174 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He has served as a Drill Instructor for the FDNY’s Probationary Fire School and was a NYPD police officer prior to joining the FDNY. Recordo is also a Captain in the United States Marine Corps and a combat veteran Iraq, Afghanistan Kosovo. He has a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services from John Jay College and serves as a Werewolf Mentor for the Paddy Brown Program. Recordo serves as a Tactical Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Jake Dutton
Jake Dutton is a firefighter with the FDNY and is currently detailed to Rescue Company 1 in Manhattan. He was previously assigned to Ladder Company 102 and Engine Company 235 in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. He previously worked as a paramedic in the New York City Emergency Medical Services system throughout the five boroughs for over a decade. A native of Northern California, Jake grew up as a competitive skier and avid outdoorsman. He began his career in the fire service working as a seasonal firefighter for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, now CAL FIRE, and North Tahoe Fire District in North Lake Tahoe. Jake also serves with a NYC-based disaster relief organization where he regularly responds to disasters and humanitarian crises around the world. He holds a Master of Art degree in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. Jake serves as a Human Performance Analyst for Leadership Under Fire.
Hannah Huesman
Hannah Huesman, MS, CMPC, is a Mental Performance Coordinator for the Texas Rangers Organization. She also travels for speaking engagements on how training your mental skills can help ANY performer. Hannah has worked with the FDNY, MLB, Business executives, actors, and athletes of all ages. She is also the host of #MentalSweatMonday on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. This is a 1 minute video, posted every Monday, of different strategies to help you work on your mental game. Hannah is passionate about helping performers become the best they can be by breaking a mental sweat every single day! She is also a former two-sport Division I student-athlete, in both basketball and softball. Hannah serves as a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Nick Kalt
Nick Kalt serves as a Captain with the Long Beach CA Fire Department. Prior to entering the professional fire service, Nick was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Fallujah in November 2004 while serving with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and subsequently medically retired from the USMC. Nick is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and was a collegiate All-American for the Midshipmen rugby team. Nick serves as a Tactical Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Jimmy Lopez
Jimmy Lopez is a 20+ year veteran firefighter of the FDNY and serves with Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn, NY. He was previously assigned to Engine Co. 28 as well as Squad Co. 1 and serves as a Dive Master for the FDNY’s SCUBA Operations. Jimmy holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science from Hunter College where he also competed as a collegiate wrestler. He holds various specialty fitness certifications and operates a Monkey Bar Gymnasium in Staten Island, NY where he places a high priority on developing functional fitness with his clients. Jimmy serves a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Jim McNamara
The Senior Firefighter is one of the most significant roles in the fire service. A member who carries this informal position can be a valuable source of experience, knowledge and leadership. Often their actions dictate the level of success that members of a company will achieve both individually and as a whole. James McNamara is a dedicated member of the FDNY who embodies the true characteristics of a senior firefighter. Jim joined the FDNY in 1994 and eventually was assigned to Engine 37. He currently serves in Ladder Co. 26 in Harlem. Jim is a long-standing member of the Division 3 Safety Committee and a Company and Battalion Delegate for the Uniformed Firefighters Association. He serves on the strategic committee for the FDNY’s Mental Performance Initiative and has developed the operational research component in partnership with Columbia University. Jim also serves as Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire. He attended Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, where he played basketball.
Danny Murphy
Danny Murphy retired as a Lieutenant from the FDNY after thirty-five years of service to the citizens of Brooklyn. Danny joined the ranks of the FDNY in 1981 as a second-generation firefighter. He served in Ladder Co. 108 and Rescue Co. 2 as a firefighter. He has served in Ladder Co. 176 and Rescue Co. 2 as a Lieutenant. He was instrumental in the development of the course curriculum for the Firefighter Victim Removal training for FDNY Special Operations Command firefighters and officers. Danny serves as a Tactical Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Cameron Peek
Cameron Peek is a 20+ year veteran of the FDNY. He is a special operations firefighter in Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn, NY. He was previously assigned to Squad 252. Cameron serves as a dive master for FDNY SCUBA dive rescue program. He is an adjunct instructor with the FDNY ‘s Rescue School and also serves as a Rescue Technician with the NY-TF 1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team. Cameron is a veteran U.S. Army and served with the 423rd MP Co. with a deployment to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He currently is the head coach for the FDNY Bravest Football Team. He serves as a Tactical Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Ben Olivia
Ben Oliva is a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) and mental health counselor. He specializes in training athletes and elite performers to maximize their potential using evidence-based mental skills training. Ben is the mental performance coach for Fordham University and New York University Athletics. He also works with the Baylor Football program and other NCAA teams. Beyond athletics, Ben is a mental performance coach for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Mental Performance Initiative and delivers leadership and mental performance workshops for business organizations across the country. Prior to joining SportStrata, Ben’s experience includes working for the mental skills group of the Boston Red Sox and serving as an assistant coach at Williams College for the baseball and football programs, where he was also a two-sport varsity athlete. He received his master’s degree (EdM) in sport and performance counseling from Boston University and his undergraduate degree in psychology and astrophysics from Williams College. Ben serves as a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Tom Richardson
Tom Richardson retired as the Chief of Department for the FDNY after serving for 40 years. Prior to this he was the Chief of Operations. As a Battalion Chief, he served in the 38 Battalion in Brooklyn for 13 years before serving as a Deputy Chief in the 15th Division. He is a past chief of the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department and is also an adjunct instructor at the FDNY Bureau of Training in the Battalion Chiefs Command Course and the Captains Development Program and has been an instructor at the Suffolk County Fire Academy for 15 years.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Community and Human Services from SUNY Empire State College and a master’s degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Richardson serves as an Executive Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
James Roussell
James Roussell recently retired as the Chief of Staff for the Chicago Police Department. Prior to serving as the Chief of Staff, Jim served as the Executive Officer of Area Central with the Chicago Police Department until his retirement from uniformed service last year. Jim has served with the Chicago Police Department for 36 years serving most of his career in gang-tactical units. He previously commanded the Rogers Park, 24th District and the department’s mobile strike force which targeted gang violence citywide. He has supervised all facets of emergency response and joint operations during his career.
Jim is also a retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 in the United States Marine Corps Reserve with 39 years of service in infantry and intelligence assignments including three combat tours in Iraq. He has completed the Command and Staff College, Expeditionary Warfare School and Marine Air Ground Task Force Intelligence Officer Course. Jim has a Doctor of Education from Olivet Nazarene University with emphasis on ethical leadership as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Lewis University. Jim serves as an Executive Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Dan Saalfrank
Dan Saalfrank is currently a Lieutenant assigned to Ladder Co. 4 in Midtown Manhattan. He previously served with Ladder Companies 169 and 176, both in the Borough of Brooklyn. Within the FDNY, Dan is a Battalion Delegate for the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, member of the FDNY Pipes and Drums and serves as a Performance Leader for the FDNY’s Mental Performance Initiative (MPI). Dan served as a Crash/Rescue Firefighter with the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He has a Master of Public Administration from John Jay College in New York City. Dan also serves as a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Jerry Smith
Jerry Smith Jr., is an emergency vehicle driver with the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) currently assigned to Truck 5. He was previously assigned as a firefighter to Rescue Company 1 and Truck Company 15. He joined the BCFD in 2004 and is a member of the BCFD Dive Team where he serves as the public safety scuba instructor. Jerry was also a member of the Central Maryland Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola University of Maryland. Jerry has been actively involved with Leadership Under Fire since its inception in 2012.
Andrew Terrell
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Terrell was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer in 2002. Upon completion of The Basic School and Infantry Officer’s Course he assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines as a rifle platoon commander. Andrew has served six combat tours in areas of operations that include: Baghdad, Iraq; Fallujah, Iraq; Ramadi, Iraq; and Now Zad, Afghanistan. He was wounded during the first major battle in Fallujah in 2004 and has been awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device on three separate occasions.
Andrew also completed an exchange tour with the British Royal Marines and is a graduate of the British Royal Commando Course. He is a 2002 graduate of the Virginia Tech University and the USMC’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Andrew also served as the inspector-instructor with Charlie Company, 4th Recon Battalion, the Commanding Officer of USMC Recruiting Station Detroit and presently serves as the Current Operations Officer for 1st Marine Division. Andrew serves as an Operational Leadership Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
Belisa Vranich
Dr. Belisa Vranich, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, public speaker, and the author of the books "Breathe: The Simple, Revolutionary 14-Day Program to Improve your Mental and Physical Health" and "Breathing for Warriors: Master Your Breath to Unlock More Strength, Greater Endurance, Sharper Precision, Faster Recovery, and an Unshakable Inner Game." Dr. Belisa is also the Director of Breathing Science at The Ash Center for Comprehensive Medicine in New York City. As founder of The Breathing Class™, Dr. Belisa has taught and lectured nationwide on topics related to dysfunctional breathing patterns and stress. The Breathing Class™ addresses both physical and psychological problems related to oxygenation that is out of balance, and teaching people to breathe in an anatomically congruous. After fifteen years of experience in private practice Dr. Belisa is recognized as a leading expert in topics that range from health and fitness, stress reduction, nutrition, relationships, to trauma and addiction. Dr. Belisa received her doctorate degree in Psychology from New York University and completed an internship at Bellevue Hospital with specialization in neuropsychology. Belisa serves as a Human Performance Advisor for Leadership Under Fire.
In Memoriam
John Vigiano
Captain John Vigiano, FDNY joined the ranks of the FDNY in 1962. He served as a firefighter in Ladder Co. 103, a Lieutenant in Rescue Co. #2 and the Captain of Ladder Co. 176. Captain Vigiano retired from the FDNY in 1998 with 36 years of service, all of it spent in the Borough of Brooklyn. A lifelong student of the job, he was instrumental in the development of many operational procedures for FDNY ladder and rescue companies. Captain Vigiano is a former Sergeant, USMC. Prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps, he had enlisted in the New York National Guard at the age of fifteen. Both of Captain Vigiano’s sons (Joe – NYPD ESU and John – FDNY Ladder Co. 132) were killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center on 9/11. He and his wife of 50 years, Jan, actively honored their sons’ sacrifice through tireless advocacy of our nation’s post-9/11 military veterans. Captain Vigiano served as the Principal Mentor for Leadership Under Fire until his passing.
William John Cahir
William John Cahir was born December 20, 1968, in State College, Pennsylvania. Bill graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2003 and attended Marine Corps recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training, Bill was assigned to the 4th CAG in Washington, DC. In 2004 he deployed with a 4th CAG Detachment to Anbar Province and participated in combat operations in Ramadi and in Fallujah during the historic Al Fajr campaign in November 2004. Bill attended the U.S. Army Parachutist Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia and received his jump wings. In August of 2006, Bill (callsign “Werewolf”) deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in support 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, Regimental Combat Teams 5 & 6. He was instrumental in facilitating critical tribal engagements that contributed to the “Anbar Awakening” – the pacification of warring Sunni tribes and the expulsion of Al Qaeda. In April of 2007, Bill was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In a civilian capacity, Bill held several positions in journalism and as a U.S. congressional staff member. He was also employed by Booze Allen and Hamilton as a senior associate. Bill was one of the original architects of Leadership Under Fire.
In May of 2009, Bill deployed to Afghanistan with 4th CAG in support of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He served as a CAG Team Chief for 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in the Helmand River Valley. On August 13, 2009 Sergeant Bill “Werewolf” Cahir was killed in action against the enemy when he was struck by a sniper round. He left behind his wife and two beautiful daughters who he never met.
Bill was laid to rest in Section 60 of the Arlington National Cemetery.
