Leadership Team
Steve Pope
Kansas City Kansas Fire Captain
Founder/President
Steve is the Founder of the First Responder Golf Foundation. He has 30 years in the Fire Service and 28 years with Kansas City Kansas Fire Department. He has been a Captain since 2011. His mission with the foundation is to spread awareness of mental health issues in the first responder professions while also providing an outlet using golf. Steve uses golf to decompress and recalibrate and wanted to share his passion for the game to help his first responder brothers and sisters. This foundation was a calling for Steve to share his story and spread the awareness mission that PTSI in the first responder professions is real.
Brian Taylor
Kansas City Kansas Fire Captain
Vice-President
Brian is a Fire Captain at Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department with 29 years of service and 33 years as a paramedic, holding multiple certifications. He has been married for 21 years, proud parent of 2 and grandparent of 1. Brian is a passionate golfer since childhood, competing in amateur tournaments both locally and nationally.
Ryan Johnson
Kansas City Kansas Firefighter
Treasurer
Mandy Maleta
Fire Wife of Kansas City Kansas Firefighter
CEO of Assistant Solutions
Secretary
Mandy is the wife of a KCK Firefighter. She became involved with First Responder Golf Foundation as her husband struggled with his own mental health issues related to the job. As a tech expert, Mandy assists with various duties related to the foundation. She is the CEO of Assistant Solutions which helps small-sized entrepreneurs scale their business through sustainable tech, streamlined operations and bespoke automation.
Board Members
Tim Pierce
Retired Bonner Springs Kansas Police Officer
Tim Pierce, born and raised in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, KS, now resides in Basehor, KS with his family. After 22.5 years in law enforcement, starting at the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office and retiring from Bonner Springs Police Dept., Tim is now the Outside Services Manager at Falcon Lakes Golf Club and an active member of the First Responder Golf Foundation.
Married to Shannon Pierce for 33.5 years, they have two adult daughters, Sydney and Taylor. Shannon is an ER trauma nurse supervisor at Overland Park Regional Hospital. Sydney, 26, is a CNA, Board Certified Esthetician, and Board Certified Cosmetologist. Taylor, 23, is a Radiology Tech at Children's Mercy Hospital.
Chuck Burton
Retired COO of Nations Holding Company & President of Foreclosure Management Company
Chuck Burton, former Chief Operating Officer of Nations Holding Company and President of Foreclosure Management Company, played a key role in driving substantial revenue and profit growth through strategic business planning. He guided the company and its 20+ businesses through the challenges of the real estate market. With over 35 years of experience in executive management in the banking industry, Chuck also served on the Children's Mercy Hospital Board of Volunteers and regularly volunteered at Children's Mercy Hospital and Johnson County Mental Health. Since retiring, he has been active in supporting children's educational development in the Dominican Republic.
Blair Parker
Gladstone Missouri Police Officer
Ritch Nigh
Retired Kansas City Kansas Fire Chief