BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Spirit of Blue Foundation Board of Directors is a volunteer board established to oversee and direct the work of the Executive Director and the Foundation as a whole in the fulfillment of its mission to enhance Officer Safety nationwide. Comprised of accomplished business people, each member has either prior experience as a law enforcement officer, has lost a friend or family member in the line of duty or has some other link to the law enforcement community itself that drives their service and commitment.
Gary Blair – Director, Chairman
Gary served in the United States Air Force Security Forces before starting a career in law enforcement that took him to the rank of Chief in Madison Township, Ohio. He then applied his expertise in organized crime and arson investigation within the property casualty industry where he worked with leading insurance companies to develop anti-fraud programs. Gary later returned to the public sector in an information technology capacity, serving as a member and Division Director for the Michigan State Police in the Technical Solutions Division, followed by roles with Oracle before starting his own consulting firm, Way Forward, LLC. Gary previously served on the Spirit of Blue board from 2018-2020 as its Chairman and recently returned for another term of service (2026-2028) as Chairman. He is currently retired and lives with his wife in Traverse City, MI.
Frank Cappo – Director, Vice Chairman
Frank served for 12 years in law enforcement in both patrol and training functions before becoming a sales professional at Armor Holdings, 5.11 Tactical and Armor Express. He joined the Board in 2017 with the desire to give back to his former profession. Frank received a degree from the University of Kansas, lives with his wife outside of Kansas City and currently works with Galls.
Ken Theis – Director, Treasurer
Ken is a nationally recognized technology senior executive with over 30 years of experience driving enterprise-scale digital transformation, operational modernization, and strategic growth across the public and private sectors. Earlier in his career, Ken served as Chief Information Officer for the State of Michigan and Director of the Department of Technology, Management & Budget. In that role, he managed nearly 3,000 employees and a $1.2 billion budget, consolidating statewide IT functions into a centralized structure that saved the state over $100 million. He worked very closely during that time with all the State of Michigan public protection agencies ensuring the safety and security of Michigan’s citizens. Ken resides in NW Michigan.
Keith Redlin – Director
Bio coming soon…
Don Redmond – Director
Don is a retired Chula Vista (CA) Police Captain with over 25 years in law enforcement and now serves as Vice President of Drone as First Responder (DFR) at BRINC Drones. He works with public safety agencies to advance drone technology, improve response times, and save lives. During his career, Don held leadership roles including SWAT Team Leader, Jail Commander, Dispatch Manager, and UAS Manager. As Captain, he oversaw Support Operations, managing the Emergency Communications Center, City Jail, technology systems, and UAS operations. He was instrumental in developing Chula Vista PD’s pioneering Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, which has become a national model. Don earned a Master’s in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor’s in Education from San Diego State University. He is a graduate of the California P.O.S.T. Command College and the FBI National Academy. His work has been published in Police1 and FBINAA Magazine.
Dale Stockton – Director (and Chairman Emeritus)
Dale retired from the Carlsbad (CA) Police Department after 32 years at the rank of captain. He went on to teach criminal justice for 20 years, served a term as a California POST Commissioner and helped launch Law Officer Magazine as its editor-in-chief through its first decade. Dale is one of the original founders of Below 100, a national non-profit training organization formed to eliminate preventable line-of-duty deaths and injuries among police officers and continues to sit on its board of directors. Dale is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 201) and holds a Masters of Advanced Study degree from the University of California – Irvine, School of Criminology, Law, and Society. He lives with his wife in Southern California and is the managing partner of Public Safety Insight, LLC.
Wallace Chadwick, III – Director
Wallace is a lifelong Chesapeake resident, Marine Corps Veteran, and 26 year law enforcement professional dedicated to service and community. Raised in Chesapeake VA, Wallace graduated from Indian River High School, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.
In 2000, Wallace joined the Chesapeake Police Department and graduated as class president of the 41st Academy Session. Over the course of his career, he served in Uniform Patrol, Youth Services, Intelligence, Gang Suppression, Marine Patrol, and the Underwater Search & Recovery Team. He also held leadership roles as a Sergeant, Training Academy Assistant Director, and later as a Lieutenant assigned to Operations and Special Operations. He received the MLK award for his service to New York City after 9/11, major incident response, and numerous awards for bravery, teamwork, leadership, and community service. Wallace was elected as the 5th Sheriff in the City of Chesapeake and assumed the office on January 1, 2026.
Wallace is the co-founder and National CEO of Law Enforcement United, a 501(c)(3) that has raised over $11.5 million for families of fallen officers.
A devoted husband to wife Nicole and father of three daughters, and active community volunteer, Wallace is committed to serving Chesapeake with honor and integrity.
Ryan T. Smith – Executive Director
As Executive Director, Ryan oversees all of the day-to-day business of the Foundation and sits on the Board as a non-voting Ex Officio member. He was a charter member of the the Board when the Foundation was launched in 2011. Ryan is an Oregon native with a Business Administration degree from Seattle Pacific University and served in both the Oregon Army National Guard and as a Reserve Police Officer with the Beaverton (OR) Police Department. His professional career was established in product marketing at Nike, Rubbermaid, Remington Arms Co., Bushmaster Firearms and Sentry Safe. He is currently the owner and consulting principal of PPF Media where he specializes in providing fractional executive management to non-profit organizations and lives with his family in Newberg, OR.
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
Advisors serve an important role in assisting the Board on committees, advocating for the Foundation in their sphere’s of influence and aiding in fundraising efforts. These individuals do not have voting seats on the Board, but do help advise the Board of Directors when called upon.
Todd Parola – Chairman Emeritus
Todd is the younger brother of Maine State Trooper Jeffrey S. Parola who was killed in the line of duty in 1994. In response, the Parola family created and ran the Jeffrey S. Parola Foundation in the State of Maine for 17 years. At the conclusion of that foundation, Todd was one of two co-founders of the Spirit of Spirit of Blue Foundation with the goal of extending the enhancement of officer safety nationwide. Todd holds a degree in Business Administration from Lake Forest College, currently resides in Chicago, IL and is the Senior Vice President for Sales at IWCO.
Roberto Gonzalez – Trauma Medicine Advisor
Roberto has assisted the Board in creating, funding and awarding medial trauma equipment grants in the US Territory of Puerto Rico since 2022. He served for over 20 years in the United States Army in the Medical Services Corps and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following his retirement, Roberto has worked with the Government of Puerto Rico, private healthcare sector companies, and Academic Health institutions, under the Affordable Care Act and the Health Reform initiatives for Health Informatics. He currently runs his own consulting firm focused on healthcare initiatives and lives with his wife near Raleigh, NC.