The MILO product line and organization has achieved great success in the military and law enforcement industries. That success is largely due to the depth of experience of our internal resources—the majority of those coming from the communities we serve. Our employees typically remain with MILO for decades, but the downside of that longevity is a potential disadvantage of staying ahead of industry needs because those employees are no longer embedded within their industries as end-users. While it has not affected us yet, we have recognized that our increasingly low turnover—something we definitely consider a positive in organizational continuity—does present a potential for future gaps in our expertise as time progresses and industries evolve.

To ensure that we remain connected to relevant points in those sectors we serve—before those gaps appear—we have assembled a limited but comprehensive board of highly competent and trusted advisors to ensure we have current information from significant sectors when considering new content, curriculum, partnerships, or other product offerings.

The MILO Management team considers these advisors highly regarded members of an elite group with a diverse range of experience and expertise. As such, we are proud to call them “Friends of MILO.”

 

Chair of the Board – Dr. Joy VerPlanck

Dr. VerPlanck is a former US Army Military Police Officer and is a thought leader for the cognitive division of MILO, guiding academic research and facilitating strategic partnerships. As a Doctor of Educational Technology, her research path has included the effects of training with immersive technology on creative thinking and cognitive load and instructional methods of creating empowered and independent thinkers in rigid operational environments.

 

 

Strategic Advisors

 

Dr. Todd Castleberry

Dr. Castleberry is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, emphasizing exercise physiology at Louisiana Tech University. His current studies investigate blood pressure responses to different apparatus in police officers, motivation to exercise within law enforcement, and improving general health in law enforcement officers. His most recent studies have begun utilizing MILO Range simulations to improve law enforcement responses that include eye training, stress responses, voice tone, and other cognitive measures. Dr. Castleberry has been a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and American Physiological Society (APS). Furthermore, he serves on the Diversity Action Network Committee through ACSM to promote diversity and equity for other members and to encourage Fellowship status for minorities. He is also involved with the ACSM Minority Health and Interest Group.

 

Mr. Dan Chavez

Dan is an accomplished instructional design and human performance improvement professional with over 15 years of experience designing, developing, and delivering learning solutions in military and municipal corrections environments. Previously serving as the Assistant Commissioner of Training & Development for the New York City Department of Correction, Dan holds an MBA and Masters in Instructional Design, is PMP certified, and is a veteran of the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. His expertise in instructional systems design and corrections officer training informs content, curriculum, and presentations.

 

Sheriff Jerry Clayton

Sheriff Clayton is a 30-year police services veteran, currently serving his fourth term as the Sheriff of Washtenaw County, Michigan, and is known nationally for his vision and pursuit of policing and justice reforms as well as his delivery of training on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, the American Civil Liberties Union, and his work to promote improved response to mental health needs in the community. He serves on the National Police Foundation-Council on Police Reform and Race and Governor Whitmer’s Black Leadership Council. His expertise in cultural diversity, bias-free policing, and police reform informs content and curriculum.

 

Mr. Thomas Guynes

Mr. Guynes is an Instructor at Chalogianis Consulting, where he teaches community engagement, safety tactics, home safety planning, and emergency response in the public and private sectors. With a background in kinesiology and executive protection, he is able to provide valuable insight and safety strategies to individuals and families in a variety of intense situations, with inclusivity and respect for diverse belief systems. Additionally, Mr. Guynes is a former professional athlete with the National Football League, and frequently engages in volunteer service efforts to engage his community in efforts that support a healthy relationship with law enforcement. His experience as a Deputy Sheriff, School Resource Officer, and instructor informs curriculum and scenario development.

 

Dr. Lois James

Dr. James is the Assistant Director for Research at the Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing. She focuses on bias, stress, sleep, and performance in “high stress” populations such as police officers, military personnel, nurses, and top-tier athletes. Dr. James is the founding director of Counter Bias Training Simulation (CBTsim). Her work has been published extensively in academic journals, practitioner magazines, and mainstream media such as the New York Times and the Washington Post. Her expertise in bias and performance informs research, articles, presentations, and curriculum.

 

Chief Larry Klaus

Chief Klaus is the Central Michigan University Chief of Police with over thirty-five years of experience in Public Safety, Incident Command, Law Enforcement, Special Events, Security Details, and Homeland Security. He has a strong Community Policing background as a former member of the Lansing Michigan Police Department Community Policing Cadre under the direction of Dr. Robert Trojanowicz, Michigan State University (1991 – 1994), and a demonstrated history of working in higher education and municipal policing. His expertise as a pioneer in community-oriented policing in high crime and diverse municipal populations informs content and curriculum.

 

Dr. Noël Lipana

Dr. Lipana is President of the DJD Art Foundation, which uses performing arts to educate communities about moral injury and trauma. He works daily to create local prevention frameworks among community-based organizations, mental health providers, educators, and all levels of government to prevent targeted violence. Throughout his twenty-year career, he has served in various Air Force and Army units, including time in Afghanistan as a counter-IED specialist, and the Disabled American Veterans – California Chapter named him their 2020 Veteran of the Year. His Doctorate in Social Work with specific expertise in Moral Injury, PTSD, & and Anti-Terrorism helps inform content and presentations.

 

Mr. Richard G. Schott

Richard is an Independent Police Auditor in Fairfax County, VA, serving over 27 years in the F.B.I.  Case agent in the Birmingham, Alabama division from 1989-1998, working, among other violations, Civil Rights investigations; Associate Division Counsel for the Atlanta division from 1998-2000; Office of the General Counsel (OGC) of the FBI from 2000-2017. As a member of OGC’s Legal Instruction Unit, Richard spent 17 years training and instructing at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. The primary audiences were FBI new agent trainees and attendees of the FBI’s National Academy program.  His expertise on use of force/deadly force issues and the DOJ/FBI Deadly Force policy helps inform content and curriculum on case law and use of force.

 

Ms. Yael Swerdlow

Yael is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Maestro Games SPC and co-founder of the Women’s Empowerment Foundation. Yael’s 20-year photojournalist career had her shooting in war zones including Rwanda, Somalia, and Southern Sudan as well as domestically for United Press International, the Associated Press, and the Los Angeles Times, where she was a part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning teams for the LA Riots in 1992 and the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. Her expertise in public diplomacy, social purpose, and empowerment of marginalized populations helps inform content and outreach programs.