JAMES FOTIS, PRESIDENT
James J. Fotis has a long career of experience as an informed, decisive leader and an analytical, proactive problem solver. He served more than twenty-three years as the Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA); an association of law enforcement officers, crime victims and concerned citizens. During his tenure, LEAA became a serious influence in the law enforcement community, on Capitol Hill, and within the Executive Branch of government. Mr. Fotis appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs as a commentator on sensitive issues ranging from gun control to international terrorism. James J. Fotis was the impetus behind “the Police Officers Safety Act (more commonly known as HR218)”, which he wrote, in 1993 and had sponsored by Representatives, Duke Cunningham (R, California) and Ralph Hall (D, Texas). HR 218 was signed into law by President Bush in July, 2004.
After leaving LEAA on a full time basis, he became a consultant with Federal Legislative Associates, representing emerging countries from Central Asia. Mr. Fotis served for fourteen years as a Police Officer for the Lynbrook, New York Police Department, retiring as the highest decorated officer in department’s history. He earned the equivalent of EMT training and became an expert in crisis management and intervention. Mr. Fotis holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Studies accentuated by Industrial Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioural Science/ Criminal Justice. He served three years in the military, leaving the Army as a disabled Veteran.
BERT EYLER, VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER
Bert Eyler has dedicated his life to serving our country. He joined the US Marine Corp in 1988-1992 and as a Marine Embassy Guard where he got to see the world and realized that America was unique and the best country on earth. Then he decided to protect and serve once again, and after moving from Sheriff’s Department to Police Department, he settled down at the Prince William County, Virginia, Police Department in 1998. As of July 1, 2020, Bert Eyler retired holding the Rank of Master Police Officer. Bert had an exemplary record and was awarded two departmental Awards for Valor, a Virginia Public Safety Foundation Award for Valor and a Certificate of Valor from the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce. His awards stem from his bravery in the take down of a person armed with an AK7 who became a threat to the community. Bert since 2014 had held one of the most rewarding but stress filled positions on the Prince William County Police Department. He was the School Resource Officer at a local high school. On his off hours he dedicates his time to his wife and three children.
CHRISTOPHER DAY, SECRETARY
Christopher M. Day is an experienced trial attorney, having litigated a broad variety of cases in Virginia and throughout the country. He specializes in a broad variety of civil litigation subjects, including personal injury, defamation, complex business disputes, whistleblower cases, victims’ rights, workers compensation, and employment, He also has an extensive criminal defense practice.
Mr. Day has practiced with Virginia litigation boutique firms since 1999. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant Attorney General for Northern Virginia for four years, representing the Commonwealth of Virginia in both state and federal courts. Before that, Mr. Day held a clerkship with the Honorable Bruce C. Levine at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission in Washington, D.C. As an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, Mr. Day has taught Torts and Advanced Litigation. He also instructs other attorneys in the law governing personal injury, workers’ compensation, and victim’s rights.
Mr. Day holds a Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law, where he served as a student editor for the Letter of Credit Update. He is a 1991 graduate of Michigan State University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in financial administration. Mr. Day is an active member of the Virginia Bar and is admitted to practice in all the courts of the Commonwealth, as well as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Fairfax, Loudoun and Arlington County Bar Associations, as well as the National Center for Victims of Crime Bar Association.
Mr. Day lives in Oakton, Virginia with his wife of 25 years, three children, and a dog.
REV. KENNETH V. BLANCHARD, Sr., CHAPLAIN
Rev. Kenneth V. Blanchard, Sr., was the second pastor of Historic Berean Baptist Church in Washington, DC where he served from 2006-2013. He is a prolific evangelist, ministering to outdoorsmen, motorcycle enthusiast, law enforcement and veterans. He has served as chaplain for many organizations. He has been married for thirty years and is the father of two adult children.
In 2002, he founded In The Wilderness Ministries, an early online ministry, and the Forgiven Christian Riders, an international motorcycle ministry that helped churches utilize the motorcyclist in their congregations to evangelize. He has been riding motorcycles since 1977. That ministry is still going, now under the name of the Speak Life Church.
He is the owner of Blanchard Network where he maintains several blogs and websites. He has a large presence on the web. He has authored several books and is a sought after speaker.
He is a former US Marine embassy guard, federal law enforcement officer lieutenant, and self-defense trainer. He has spent almost thirty years fighting terrorism with the Central Intelligence Agency.
He was born in Virginia and has traveled to over fifteen countries. He speaks Brazilian Portuguese, a little Spanish and has been gifted at reaching diverse groups of people. He has been God’s special agent for many.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” – Isaiah 6:8
