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The Blackrock 3 Partners Team
Blackrock 3 Partners maximize uptime during high severity IT incidents by assessing, training, evaluating and exercising incident response teams.
With deep global experience in Incident Management (Fire Department, Special Operations) and Critical Infrastructure (fiber networks, data centers, oil and gas, power systems), we combine a unique mix of expertise and ingenuity to maximize IT Uptime in your organization. We’ll show your team how to respond to IT emergencies more efficiently, more predictably and more confidently with strong incident leadership.
We’ve dramatically improved IT incident response teams around the world including NOC/EOC, site reliability, cybersecurity incident response, critical support, communications and executives. Our customers are global cloud service providers, Fortune 500 Enterprises and Developers who incorporated IMS into their ITIL, DevOps, Agile, and Lean Practices.
We pioneered the use of IMS in IT Operations!
With deep global experience in Incident Management (Fire Department, Special Operations) and Critical Infrastructure (fiber networks, data centers, oil and gas, power systems), we combine a unique mix of expertise and ingenuity to maximize IT Uptime in your organization. We’ll show your team how to respond to IT emergencies more efficiently, more predictably and more confidently with strong incident leadership.
We’ve dramatically improved IT incident response teams around the world including NOC/EOC, site reliability, cybersecurity incident response, critical support, communications and executives. Our customers are global cloud service providers, Fortune 500 Enterprises and Developers who incorporated IMS into their ITIL, DevOps, Agile, and Lean Practices.
We pioneered the use of IMS in IT Operations!
Rob Schnepp
Rob's emergency response career spans 30 years in international public safety as a Special Operations Fire Chief, Incident Commander, consultant and published author. Rob commanded numerous large-scale emergencies for the Alameda County (CA) Fire Department, protecting 500 square miles and two national laboratories in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Rob has responded on Unified Command/Incident Management Teams to high profile incidents including: 9/11 World Trade Center; major oil spills; large propane gas explosions; campaign wildland fires and numerous other large scale incidents. Rob planned and directed Red Command at Urban Shield, the largest Homeland Security exercise in the United States, as well as full scale exercises for the Department of Defense in 12 countries across the globe. He has developed risk assessment, incident management and incident command training for Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, and US national laboratories.
Rob's emergency response career spans 30 years in international public safety as a Special Operations Fire Chief, Incident Commander, consultant and published author. Rob commanded numerous large-scale emergencies for the Alameda County (CA) Fire Department, protecting 500 square miles and two national laboratories in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Rob has responded on Unified Command/Incident Management Teams to high profile incidents including: 9/11 World Trade Center; major oil spills; large propane gas explosions; campaign wildland fires and numerous other large scale incidents. Rob planned and directed Red Command at Urban Shield, the largest Homeland Security exercise in the United States, as well as full scale exercises for the Department of Defense in 12 countries across the globe. He has developed risk assessment, incident management and incident command training for Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, and US national laboratories.
Ron Vidal
Ron’s corporate career spans 35 years as a senior executive in critical infrastructure including metro/long haul/subsea fiber optic networks, data centers, oil & gas, power systems and capital markets. Ron was a senior executive at Level 3 Communication (operates 16,000 mile international metro, long haul and transoceanic fiber optic Tier 1 backbone network), UUNet Technologies (largest Tier 1 Internet Service Provider (ISP) when acquired by MFS), MFS Communications (operated 38 metro fiber networks in U.S. and Europe, acquired by Worldcom) and Kiewit Construction (3rd largest U.S. construction contractor). He led technical and operational due diligence teams on over $19 billion of telecommunications and Internet Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) transactions. He developed and delivered key messaging during the movement of $14 billion across 10 international roadshows and 8 trading desks. He managed relationships with 21 sell-side research analysts and 25 of Level 3’s largest shareholders and bondholders. Ron has presented at conferences sponsored by Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, UBS, Oppenheimer and others, and has been quoted in Business Week, USA Today and numerous trade publications. He led Level 3 Communications in New York City after the 9/11, and served on the New York City Task Force on Network Reliability.
Ron has advocated technology public policy to members of the United States Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He testified before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet on E-911 and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) policy.
Ron’s corporate career spans 35 years as a senior executive in critical infrastructure including metro/long haul/subsea fiber optic networks, data centers, oil & gas, power systems and capital markets. Ron was a senior executive at Level 3 Communication (operates 16,000 mile international metro, long haul and transoceanic fiber optic Tier 1 backbone network), UUNet Technologies (largest Tier 1 Internet Service Provider (ISP) when acquired by MFS), MFS Communications (operated 38 metro fiber networks in U.S. and Europe, acquired by Worldcom) and Kiewit Construction (3rd largest U.S. construction contractor). He led technical and operational due diligence teams on over $19 billion of telecommunications and Internet Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) transactions. He developed and delivered key messaging during the movement of $14 billion across 10 international roadshows and 8 trading desks. He managed relationships with 21 sell-side research analysts and 25 of Level 3’s largest shareholders and bondholders. Ron has presented at conferences sponsored by Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, UBS, Oppenheimer and others, and has been quoted in Business Week, USA Today and numerous trade publications. He led Level 3 Communications in New York City after the 9/11, and served on the New York City Task Force on Network Reliability.
Ron has advocated technology public policy to members of the United States Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He testified before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet on E-911 and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) policy.
Our Team
Ashley Vidal, Director of Operations
Ashley’s career spans 10 years in NYC, Philadelphia, and Texas, during which time she worked on the front lines as well as in program development and management. Ashley has advocated on the city and state levels in NY state and Washington D.C. Ashley was also in management at a social enterprise based in Texas, where she developed outreach strategies for nonprofit partnerships, and designed fundraising companies.
Ashley’s career spans 10 years in NYC, Philadelphia, and Texas, during which time she worked on the front lines as well as in program development and management. Ashley has advocated on the city and state levels in NY state and Washington D.C. Ashley was also in management at a social enterprise based in Texas, where she developed outreach strategies for nonprofit partnerships, and designed fundraising companies.
Andy Graham, Director of Instructional Content / Instructor
Andy has 43 years experience as a firefighter and paramedic, including critical incident response and technical rescue. He often serves in key leadership positions, including incident commander or liaison officer between government agencies and private enterprise, or between Fire & Medical teams and outside law enforcement. He has led incidents for large scale public events using the same Incident Command System taught here. Is his leadership roles with the regional mountain rescue team, he regularly works with Dept. of Emergency Management, law enforcement, US Park Service, Coast Guard, and Navy helicopter resources. He was among the first on the ground in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, and has helped establish incident response systems in Asia and Latin America, providing training and technical support, and serving as a liaison between emergency services, politicians and the media.
Andy has 43 years experience as a firefighter and paramedic, including critical incident response and technical rescue. He often serves in key leadership positions, including incident commander or liaison officer between government agencies and private enterprise, or between Fire & Medical teams and outside law enforcement. He has led incidents for large scale public events using the same Incident Command System taught here. Is his leadership roles with the regional mountain rescue team, he regularly works with Dept. of Emergency Management, law enforcement, US Park Service, Coast Guard, and Navy helicopter resources. He was among the first on the ground in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, and has helped establish incident response systems in Asia and Latin America, providing training and technical support, and serving as a liaison between emergency services, politicians and the media.
Richard Brooks, Instructor
Chief Brooks was Chief of Emergency Services for Cecil County, Maryland, and served for 25 years with the Baltimore County Fire Department. His experience included Instructor, Public Information Officer, Haz Mat Administrator, and Commander positions. He also served as a Senior National Security Analyst assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, on the International Counter-Proliferation Program, and lead and managed multi-national exercises on the Black and Adriatic seas.
Chief Brooks was Chief of Emergency Services for Cecil County, Maryland, and served for 25 years with the Baltimore County Fire Department. His experience included Instructor, Public Information Officer, Haz Mat Administrator, and Commander positions. He also served as a Senior National Security Analyst assigned to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, on the International Counter-Proliferation Program, and lead and managed multi-national exercises on the Black and Adriatic seas.
Timothy P Butters, Instructor
Timothy Butters has over 45 years of emergency operations/management experience with federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector. He is a past committee chair for International Association of Fire Chiefs. He deployed to emergency management operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, wildfires, and presidential inaugurations. He recently served as Logistics Section Chief for the Arlington County, Virginia COVID-19 Response program. Prior to that he was regional coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. He worked with dozens of senior federal, state, and local government agency executives and elected officials. Mr. Butters has also held senior positions with the Federal Aviation Administration, the City of Fairfax Fire Department, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr. Butters holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from James Madison University.
Timothy Butters has over 45 years of emergency operations/management experience with federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector. He is a past committee chair for International Association of Fire Chiefs. He deployed to emergency management operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, wildfires, and presidential inaugurations. He recently served as Logistics Section Chief for the Arlington County, Virginia COVID-19 Response program. Prior to that he was regional coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. He worked with dozens of senior federal, state, and local government agency executives and elected officials. Mr. Butters has also held senior positions with the Federal Aviation Administration, the City of Fairfax Fire Department, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr. Butters holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from James Madison University.
Rick Edinger, Instructor
Rick has worked in public safety services for more than 48 years, including front lines, emergency communications, management and incident command roles in several states. Chief Edinger also served as a committee chair of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He retired in 2018 as Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations in central Virginia. Chief Edinger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science Technology from Columbia Southern University and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He also holds a number of certifications in incident management disciplines and has deployed to state and national level incidents. His areas of expertise include incident and organizational management, organizational safety, and risk avoidance.
Rebecca Graham, Instructor / Webmaster
Rebecca has a Masters in Organization Development, broad project management experience, and has spent the past 30 years helping business and public service organizations better communicate with their stakeholders. She has worked with Blackrock 3 in multiple capacities, including as a facilitator for incident management training, and leading the design, implementation and improvement of websites underpinning the company's online and hybrid training models.
Rebecca has a Masters in Organization Development, broad project management experience, and has spent the past 30 years helping business and public service organizations better communicate with their stakeholders. She has worked with Blackrock 3 in multiple capacities, including as a facilitator for incident management training, and leading the design, implementation and improvement of websites underpinning the company's online and hybrid training models.
Candi Heslep, Instructor
Based in Chicago, Candi has a deep understanding of corporate IT, having worked over 20 years as a consultant, Certified Data Analyst, IT Auditor, Internal Audit - Special Investigations, IT Program and Project Manager, Vendor Risk Manager and IT Procurement Manager. While in the international banking industry, she worked with Blackrock 3 as part of a corporate Resilience initiative, rising as a stand-out among IT professionals, excelling in incident command and championing the integration of the incident response system. Training has always been a passion, and she has lead many trainings and presents at industry conferences.
Based in Chicago, Candi has a deep understanding of corporate IT, having worked over 20 years as a consultant, Certified Data Analyst, IT Auditor, Internal Audit - Special Investigations, IT Program and Project Manager, Vendor Risk Manager and IT Procurement Manager. While in the international banking industry, she worked with Blackrock 3 as part of a corporate Resilience initiative, rising as a stand-out among IT professionals, excelling in incident command and championing the integration of the incident response system. Training has always been a passion, and she has lead many trainings and presents at industry conferences.
Melissa Irish, Instructor
Melissa has over 30 years of experience in public safety through both the fire service and the military reserves. Her fire experience includes serving with a municipal department as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Investigator, and Captain. Notable responsibilities include program management for Wildland Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Health and Wellness, and Firefighter Respiratory Protection. Melissa has been a business advisor assisting several nonprofits in forming their corporations and obtaining their 501(c)(3) status. Melissa also has legislative advocacy experience in public policy and holds multiple degrees in business and law.
Melissa has over 30 years of experience in public safety through both the fire service and the military reserves. Her fire experience includes serving with a municipal department as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Investigator, and Captain. Notable responsibilities include program management for Wildland Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Health and Wellness, and Firefighter Respiratory Protection. Melissa has been a business advisor assisting several nonprofits in forming their corporations and obtaining their 501(c)(3) status. Melissa also has legislative advocacy experience in public policy and holds multiple degrees in business and law.
John LaCreta, Instructor
John's IT career spans 25 years in the healthcare, government, manufacturing, and commercial sectors. His most recent role was Principal Incident Commander for UKG (Kronos).
John's IT career spans 25 years in the healthcare, government, manufacturing, and commercial sectors. His most recent role was Principal Incident Commander for UKG (Kronos).
Amber Vidal, Director of Analytics
Amber has a Bachelors degree in the sciences, and a love of data collection and analysis. Their background includes positions with The Evergreen State College, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Elements Material Technology, a global testing company where their work included analysis for various compliance metrics within the aerospace industry. Amber brings their passion for analytics to Blackrock 3 Partners, where they organize thousands of data points enabling Blackrock 3 to improve service to its customers. Amber has also teamed up with their Blackrock 3 colleagues to launch and promote Blackrock 3 at the Firehouse, Blackrock 3’s podcast available on Spotify and at blackrock3.com/firehouse.
Amber has a Bachelors degree in the sciences, and a love of data collection and analysis. Their background includes positions with The Evergreen State College, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Elements Material Technology, a global testing company where their work included analysis for various compliance metrics within the aerospace industry. Amber brings their passion for analytics to Blackrock 3 Partners, where they organize thousands of data points enabling Blackrock 3 to improve service to its customers. Amber has also teamed up with their Blackrock 3 colleagues to launch and promote Blackrock 3 at the Firehouse, Blackrock 3’s podcast available on Spotify and at blackrock3.com/firehouse.
Tom Welch, Grant Specialist, Instructor
Tom Welch has 30 years of public safety experience, including Deputy Chief of Operations and Training, Fire Chief, Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal, Fire Captain and Engineer Paramedic.
Tom Welch has 30 years of public safety experience, including Deputy Chief of Operations and Training, Fire Chief, Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal, Fire Captain and Engineer Paramedic.
