Sergeant Kevin Briggs
2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

For over two decades, Sergeant Kevin Briggs patrolled the Golden Gate Bridge – one of the most frequently visited sites for suicide in the world. Through compassion, eye contact, and an extraordinary gift for listening, he talked more than 200 people back from the edge. His TED Talk, “The Bridge Between Suicide and Life,” has been viewed over six million times worldwide.

Today Briggs trains first responders, educators, and community leaders worldwide through Pivotal Points, the organization he founded. He is a recipient of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Leadership Award, a trainer for the FBI and Secret Service, and the author of Guardian of the Golden Gate – an Amazon bestseller whose story has been optioned by Hollywood.

Ben Marciano
SPECIAL GUEST – CITY OF OCALA MAYOR

For over 20 years, Ben Marciano has dedicated his life to serving the Ocala community. Starting as a health trainer, he quickly rose to become the executive director of the DeLuca YMCA, transforming it from one of the lowest-ranked facilities in the region into a thriving center for health and wellness.  His passion for fitness and community service led him to co-found Zone Health and Fitness, a premier gym with two locations in Ocala, providing thousands of residents with resources to stay active and healthy.

Ben holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice from the College of Central Florida and has remained deeply involved with local law enforcement and community outreach. Now serving as Mayor of Ocala —one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation—he prioritizes public safety, mental and physical health, and community engagement. In his role as mayor, he oversees the Ocala Police Department, supporting and strengthening several community-focused initiatives. He was also instrumental in bringing back the Mounted Unit and introducing the first annual OPD Ball in 2024.

A dedicated advocate for youth programs and community service, Mayor Marciano works closely with organizations such as the Chief Greg Graham Legacy Foundation, The Centers Ocala, Boys & Girls Club, The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, Project Hope, the American Heart Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Men’s Prayer Breakfast. He is also a strong supporter of mental health initiatives, partnering with programs like Wear Gloves, Saving Mercy, and local domestic violence and sexual assault centers. His commitment to youth and family services was recognized with the prestigious Chairman’s Award from the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, the organization’s highest honor.

Ben and his wife, Danielle, are proud parents of three children and are active members of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.

Curt Bromund

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – MARION COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT

With a diverse career spanning over three decades in leadership, healthcare, education, and business, Curt Bromund built a reputation for transformative and innovative strategies that left a beneficial mark on the communities served. Currently, as the Chief Executive Officer for the Marion County Hospital District, Curt was instrumental in pioneering healthcare and public health projects that aim at improving the health and well-being of Marion County’s residents. This includes key achievements like the creation of a $15M annual public health grant system, the Fitness and Nutrition in Schools (FANS) program, the Active Marion Project (AMP), and the visionary Beacon Point treatment campus aimed at tackling the opioid crisis and substance use disorders for uninsured and income-constrained citizens of Marion County.

Before this, Curt served in various leadership capacities as CEO at Childhood Development Services, Inc. in Ocala, FL. Here, the responsibilities encompassed a wide array, from directing HR and finance functions across multiple counties, to crafting strategies for expanding the corporation’s funding sources. The tenure at CDS is also marked by the oversight of a multitude of federal, state, and proprietary programs ($69M annual budget with 400 employees operating in 42 counties).

Beyond his multi-disciplinary corporate journey, Curt also made significant contributions to academia in his community. As an Adjunct College Instructor at the College of Central Florida since 2011, Curt was awarded the Adjunct Instructor of the Year in 2018 and was instrumental in developing the curricula for business administration courses, providing a pragmatic blend of
theory and real-world applications.

The earlier years of Curt’s career saw significant contributions as the President of Bromund Consulting Group, authoring “The Roadmap to Effective Leadership,” and serving as an integral part of the executive team at Financial Independence Network Ltd., Inc. (ranked 63rd in Inc. 500’s fastest growing privately owned companies in the U.S.).

Educationally, Curt holds an MBA from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Governors State University. A former Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Curt has also been an active contributor on several boards and committees, emphasizing a commitment to community development, education, and public policy.

Throughout his career, Curt consistently participated in visionary leadership roles, and committed himself to the community’s well-being, and displays a unique ability to bring innovative ideas to fruition.

Jesse Blair
EMS CAPTAIN – OCALA FIRE RESCUE

Jesse Blaire is the EMS Captain for Ocala Fire Rescue.  Jesse began providing BLS services as a transport EMT in 1997 transitioning to the paramedic role in 2000.  Since then, Jesse has begun practicing as a first response paramedic for Ocala Fire Rescue, a flight paramedic for the ShandsCair Critical Care Transport Program and a TEMS medic for the Ocala Police Department’s SWAT Team. He is also the co-founder of the University of Florida’s Critical Care Transport Paramedic Program.  He developed and implemented a Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program at Ocala Fire Rescue focusing on chronic disease management, opiate use disorder and dementia/Alzheimer care. 

Joe Hassler
CHAPLAIN – OCALA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chaplain Joe Hassler brings more than a decade of ministry experience in the church, correctional, and law enforcement settings. He currently serves as the Chaplain for the Ocala Police Department, providing spiritual care, crisis support, and wellness guidance to officers and staff. His broad background informs his insight into the challenges faced by first responders and their vital role in caring for the community that they serve. 

Jennifer Martinez

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARION SENIOR SERVICES

Jennifer Martinez has served as Executive Director of Marion Senior Services since August 2015, leading local, state, and federally funded programs that support older adults throughout Marion County, as well as overseeing the county’s paratransit transportation system. Prior to joining Marion Senior Services, she held leadership positions with Outback Steakhouse, Hospice of Marion County, and the Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center. 

A dedicated community leader, Jennifer has served on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Business Council, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Ocala Women’s Network, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Advisory Council. She is also an active member of the Florida Council on Aging and currently serves as First Vice President of the Florida Association of Service Providers. 

Jennifer’s leadership and commitment to community service have earned widespread recognition. She was named a Top 40 Under 40 professional, received the 2010 Business Advocate of the Year Award for her advocacy on behalf of local nonprofits, and led Marion Senior Services to be recognized as Nonprofit of the Year by the Community Foundation in 2023. 

A long-time Ocala resident, Jennifer earned a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida. While she is proud of her professional accomplishments, her greatest source of pride is being the mother of her daughter, who is currently attending Florida State University.

Jeremiah Alberico

LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR & LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST

Jeremiah Alberico is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Ocala, Florida. He is currently the Marion County Senior Clinical Director at SMA Healthcare and oversees all outpatient and crisis response services at SMA Healthcare for Marion and Citrus County Florida. Jeremiah served four years honorably in the United States Marine Corps separating as an E-5/Sergeant and has a Doctorate in Public Health, Masters in Mental Health Counseling, Masters in Business Administration, and a Masters in Healthcare Administration. Jeremiah is specialized in EMDR, trauma-informed approaches, crisis intervention, substance misuse, serious mental illness, and the forensic population.  

David Vittoria, LCSW, MCAP, ICADCN

TRAUMA-TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER EXPERT

With 30 years of clinical experience, Mr. Vittoria is a nationally recognized expert in trauma, behavioral health, addiction recovery, and workplace mental health. His passion for compassionate, patient-centered care and advancing recovery has made him a respected leader, educator, and advocate in the behavioral health field.

Dr. Kellie O’Dare, PhD

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UCF RESTORES

Dr. Kellie O’Dare is a nationally recognized researcher and educator focused on advancing mental wellness, suicide prevention, and organizational resilience within public safety. She serves as Research Associate Professor and Deputy Executive Director of UCF RESTORES. She is also the Founder of the 2nd Alarm Project. With a Ph.D. in Social Work and background in public health and policy, her work centers on translating research into practical, sustainable solutions.  She has secured more than $8 million in external funding to advance applied research, prevention initiatives, and statewide capacity-building efforts for public safety. She is especially passionate about supporting first responder families, recognizing their critical role in resilience and long-term wellbeing. In addition to her professional expertise, Dr. O’Dare brings meaningful personal connections to the fire service. She is the niece of Shawn T. O’Dare, a firefighter/paramedic killed in the line of duty in Miami-Dade County, and the spouse of a current Florida professional firefighter/paramedic. Her work is grounded in both the science of and her lived experience in the first responder community. 

Samantha Lawson

SR DIR TRAINING INTITUTE • SAMH – LSF HEALTH SYSTEMS

Samantha Lawson Davis is a seasoned behavioral health leader with more than 20 years of experience in training, workforce development, and organizational leadership. As Senior Director of the International Training Academy of Excellence at LSF Health Systems, she leads the development of evidence-based, trauma-informed training programs that strengthen Florida’s behavioral health workforce. She holds advanced degrees in Organizational Leadership, Industrial Psychology, and Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at the University of Florida. A certified instructor in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, de-escalation, and Mental Health First Aid, Samantha is recognized for building collaborative training networks, advancing workforce excellence, and improving systems of care through education, innovation, and advocacy.

Lindsey Brown, M.Ed. Ed.S.
Director of Training and Partnerships with the Florida LEADS

Lindsay Brown, M.Ed. Ed.S. is a suicide prevention subject matter expert and consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. Most recently, she was the Director of Training and Partnerships with the Florida LEADS Zero Suicide Project, a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that worked to build suicide safer communities throughout Florida.  

Beginning her work as a suicide hotline counselor, she earned her masters and specialist degrees in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida and served people in crisis through individual and group counseling. Since joining the suicide prevention grant implementation team at University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, and Florida Behavioral Health Association in 2015, Lindsay has trained over 8,000 people in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies and coached countless behavioral health, health, school and community support service systems in suicide evidence-based practices. She currently leads Florida’s Zero Suicide Learning Collaborative and the Florida Zero Suicide Coalitions Alliance.