Board Members
Chance Showell President & Founder
Chance “Hollywood” Showell served for 21 years as a Senior US Federal Air Marshal and was drawn back into service after witnessing the September 11, 2001 attacks. He is a US Army Medical Corps veteran and US Army Military Police Corps veteran; Chance has served as a public servant for over 40 years.
Chance began his nonprofit work in Tampa, Florida, in 1995, raising funds for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital with an Easter event called The Bunny Run.
The Bunny Run accompanies the community to ride their motorcycles to the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Bikers from all over Central Florida bring the entry fee of one new unwrapped toy for the kids!
Relocating to the Orlando area in 2005, Chance again went to work as a fundraiser for Nemours Children’s Hospital. He brought the motorcycling community together to generate much-needed awareness of children’s oncology.
Chance is the founder of the Warrior Riders Motorcycle Club, whose members include veterans, contractors, and first responders.
Steve (Stephen) Fasen Vice President
Steve (Stephen) Fasen is a Florida-based artist, businessman (retired), and ardent Family man. He was raised and Educated in Minnesota and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Arts and education K-12 +. After a short experience with the US Army (draft and enlisted).
Steve went on to serve the community through education with eight years of program design and classroom teaching. Transitioning to business in 1979, Fasen Arts Inc. & Fazen Arts Enterprises in 1979 grew to locations across the US.
Always dedicated to community and education, he has held positions as an Orange County Partner in Education, arts programs/scholarship support patron, and 20 years (and Past President) in Rotary. He remains active in community programs and projects, designing the iconic Veterans Memorial around the central flag plaza in Windermere, FL.
After 40 years in Martial Arts, Steve is the Chief Instructor of Shindai Aikido Dojo in Orlando. He continues to function as a working visual artist in design, marketing, and ceramics, now mainly using this to further the work of charities and non-profit community organizations.
Through a series of fortunate associations, I became a member of the (now) Warrior Riders MC ( Sensei), which is focused on the mission of “Warriors Helping Warriors.”
Married for over 50 years to a remarkably patient woman, together actively involved in a passion for family and traveling the world, the focus of discretionary time continues to be service. There is no more incredible honor or service than to help “Unite, Honor, and Support” the Warriors of our country and our communities through the Warrior Shield Foundation.
Rich "Gunnie" Gunther Treasurer
Rich "Gunnie" Gunther is a hard-working, self-motivated business owner and entrepreneur.
Rich is a dedicated Christian and loves spending time with his wife (Sharen), four children, and four grandchildren.
Rich earned his BBA in general business from Baldwin Wallace University and his associate degree in theology from Liberty University.
Rich has worked as the CFO with Treasure Hunters Roadshow in the past. He is the Owner and CEO of GRITGEAR Apparel (specializing in 2nd Amendment and Patriotic Apparel) and Lock-n-Load Coffee Co.
With more than 40 years of experience in the Graphic and Silk-Screening business, Rich started GRITGEAR Apparel from the
ground up out of a 200 square feet shed in his backyard, with one thing in mind: to regenerate patriotism and to honor our
military and constitution.
He has since founded, along with his wife Sharen, Lock-n-Load Coffee Co., where they roast, bag, and grind all types of fair trade coffee beans in their now brick-and-mortar building located in
Wintersville, Ohio.
With his love for our country and military and a huge desire to give back, he considers it an honor to be able to do so.
Sherri Whitaker Secretary
Sherri graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in Risk.
Management/Insurance. After working for ten years in the insurance industry, she returned to college to further her education in Elementary Education. Working with special needs children fulfilled her heart’s desire until she had children. She and her husband, Andy, have two wonderful teenage boys. She was a stay-at-home
mom until they began school. She then volunteered at the school they attended for the next five years. Since then, and for the last seven years, home-educating their two boys has been her full-time job. They are members of a local homeschool co-op, where Sherri has served as an Art teacher.
Sherri has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Boulougne for 15 years, where she was co-chair of the Welcoming Committee. She has enjoyed serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Church Clerk and singing with the choir.
She loves her family, our great country, and all who serve to protect her. She and Andy have been honored to be event sponsors for the Warrior Shield Foundation, as its’ mission is close to their hearts. They love helping people, especially those who have served to protect us all. Sherri considers it a great honor to serve as Secretary for the WSF.
Jason Horowitz Event Coordinator
Jason offers over two decades of comprehensive hospitality management experience, emphasizing event management, culinary services, operations, sales, and catering.
With a BS in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and formal training with Disney, Marriott, Starwood, and Hilton, Jason represents EventPrep as a global resource for site selection and contract negotiations. Jason can leverage his industry knowledge and relationships to acquire the most favorable terms for his guests.
Experienced in planning events for 10 to 6000 people, from intimate VIP Board of Director meetings to multi-day corporate, association, non-profit, and government events, Jason is 100% dedicated to your needs and complete satisfaction. Hailing from southeast Florida, Jason is a father of one and is passionate about his family.
Steve Cleverley Sergeant-At-Arms
Steve has been involved in the shooting sports community for over 25 years. He competes and trains with Federal, State, and Local agencies nationwide in tactical and sniper disciplines.
In his current role as Law Enforcement Agency Specialist for RadcolubeCLP and Director of Sales for 51Fifty Rifles, he has been allowed to work alongside the country’s finest in training and support capacity. His vast team-building and leadership-training background makes him an excellent addition to the team.
Steve’s overwhelming desire to do more and give back to the community he loves brought him to the Warrior Shield Foundation. His affiliation with veteran and first responder organizations across the country will help us increase awareness and expand our outreach as a whole.
Steve is also a Licensed Personal Protection Officer in Texas, a Firearms Instructor, and an avid outdoorsman.
HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Gloria Branch Community Outreach
Gloria is a native Floridian born and raised in the Gainesville area. She graduated with her BBA degree in Finance from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). She has been in the banking industry for 30 years and has had her own business development company for the last six years.
Gloria was President of the Florida Atlantic University National Alumni Board of Directors and served on the Foundation Board of Florida Atlantic University. She has volunteered with many non-profits in her community, holding board positions, chairing events, and raising money. She is involved, past and present, with local & statewide political campaigns, serving as Treasurer and Campaign Manager.
Gloria has many family members and countless friends who have served, past and present, in the U. S. Military. It is a great honor to be a part of the Warrior Shield Foundation and be able to give back & help all our heroes in need for all they have given and sacrificed for our great country.
Tina Jaeckle, Ph. D
Tina Jaeckle, Ph. D., is an LCSW in Florida and has over two decades of mental health and intervention experience with law enforcement, fire rescue, and the military.
Dr. Jaeckle has presented nationally on issues of crisis/trauma/stress/critical incidents, officer-involved shootings and resiliency, and suicide (law enforcement). She serves as the mental health/training coordinator for several CISM/Peer Support and crisis hostage/negotiation teams.
Dr. Jaeckle is also the current EAP counselor for the Jacksonville (Florida) Sheriff's Office. Dr. Jaeckle has extensive experience in developing, coordinating, and training law enforcement and fire rescue CISM programs.
She is board-certified in emergency crisis response and bereavement trauma through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress; a member of the American Board of Critical Incident Professionals; a Fellow with the National Center for Crisis Management; a former visiting professor at the FBI Academy (Behavioral Science Unit/National Academy) in Quantico, Virginia; a past instructor the US DOJ; and certified in force science analysis (Force Science Institute).
She completed a fellowship as the FBI's Futurist in Residence for 2008–2009 and researched illegal immigration, culture, and future policing implications.
Dr. Jaeckle received the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Criminal Justice Institute at Nova Southeastern University and the Commitment to Social Change Award from Walden University for raising awareness of PTSD issues for first responders.
Dr. Jaeckle received a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology from Florida Southern College, completed a master's in social work from the University of Houston, and a second master's degree in criminal justice, with a specialty track in the behavioral sciences from Nova Southeastern University and earned a Ph.D. in the humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis in conflict analysis and resolution (specialty in crisis management), from the same institution.
Current graduate faculty affiliations include Walden University, Nova Southeastern University, Martin Methodist College (The University of Tennessee), Capella University, and the University of Texas Permian Basin. Active research agendas include police and resiliency studies in collaboration with Walden University, Yale, and Columbia University.
Dr. Jaeckle also serves as the National Education and Outreach Coordinator for Responder Support Services in Asheville, North Carolina, regularly authors articles on mental health and first responders for several publications and provides media interviews as requested.