DR. PAUL DAVIS - president & Challenge founder

Dr. Davis received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College of Human Performance. A former firefighter/paramedic, he is a renowned expert witness on the subject of physical fitness and employment standards in the public safety sector. His ground-breaking research was the basis for the creation of the Firefighter Combat Challenge.

ROB ALESBURY - vice-president & general manager

Rob is focused on sponsor relationships and the development of new competitions around the country.

RON BECKMAN - operations manager

Ron is a 22 year professional firefighter and respected Challenge veteran, who lives with his wife Bernice in Colorado. Ron has a background in management, various injury prevention and safety programs, and is very well rounded in the world of emergency response with an extensive background in instructional development and training for emergency responders over a 30 year period. Ron is returning to the Challenge this season as our operations manager and course official.

BILL ALEXANDER - course relocation specialist/course official

Bill has been with the Challenge for a couple of years as driver of the Dorsey (or the merchandise truck/trailer) and previously worked for Southern California Edison. During events, he operates the start/timing system.

DANIEL PACE - information specialist/registrar

Daniel has been a part of the Road Crew since 1996. Daniel handles all Challenge registration and records. He is affectionately known as the "brains of the operation". If you have a question about the Challenge, Daniel can most likely answer it. He can be found in the new Challenge Operation Center during competitions.

JENN ASALON - merchandise & logistics

Jenn is from Cincinnati, where she resides with her son, Anthony. Jenn has been working with the Challenge family for four years. She is responsible for organizing many of the logistics for Challenge events, as well as managing the Combat Wear Zone.

MICHAEL DeGRANDPRE - creative

Michael is from Maine, but currently resides in Washington, D.C. As well as being the on staff photographer, he also deals with most of the creative projects associated with the Challenge and behind the scenes work for planning Worlds.

MIKE WORD - announcer

Mike provides the narration for the Challenge. His talent is in keeping the attention of the audience, while announcing runs, and keeping the pace of the event. Mike is from Mississippi, and works at the Mississippi State Fire Academy.

GARY & ELLEN PALMER - course relocation specialists

Gary has 8 years of experience volunteering for a fire department in Northern Colorado. He also has over 35 years in the construction field, both in California and Colorado. Ellen was a medical transcriber and a registered medical assistant, combined for over 10 years. They were also coaches for Little League Baseball for over 10 years and love the outdoors. They are the parents of three healthy children and the grandparents of five beautiful grandchildren. They will be celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary this year.

DARRIN STRICKLAND - course relocation specialist

Darrin is a new addition to the Challenge, as a course relocation specialist. He has completed multiple Incident Management classes through FEMA, and is currently a volunteer at Archuleta County's Incident Management Group. He also is a Hobbyist Gunsmith. In the off season Darrin likes to hunt, fish, and go camping. He has been happily married to his junior high sweetheart Susie, for the last 6 and a half years.

JOHN TILLETT - course relocation specialist & course official

John has been involved with the Challenge for years as a course official, driver, and manufacturer of many of the props associated with the Challenge. He lives with his wife, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

BRENT DAVIS - course official

Brent Davis is a current member of the Montgomery County Fire Department, and a course official for the Challenge. Brent holds the world record for the Kids' Firefighter Challenge, which he set in 1994.