MEET OUR TEAM
OUR STAFF
BLAKE STINNETT
Next Rung was founded by our Director and CEO, Blake Stinnett. Blake has always had a love for the fire service and set out with a goal to make an impact in those he worked beside. It wasn't long into his career when he was impacted by the suicide of a friend and co-worker. The goal of Next Rung quickly changed from being an apparel company to serving and aiding first responders in their battle against mental health issues. Blake has a background in ministry, working with families and students. However, growing up with a father who was a firefighter, he knew that this profession and brotherhood was something special. After 8 years in full-time ministry, Blake changed gears and started his career as a firefighter in 2015. He currently serves as a Firefighter with Greene County Fire, which is east of Atlanta, Georgia and as a Youth Pastor at Covenant Park Church. Blake lives in Madison, Ga with his beautiful wife, Natalie, and three precious children, Layleigh, Jack and Henry.
Blake’s ultimate hope is to serve and make a difference. He set out with a goal to change the life of one person, but hopes to change and help save the lives of hundreds of firefighters and first responders across the United States. He believes that Next Rung can do this and that they will make waves in the Fire and First Responder community.
charlie brown
Our Co-Director and COO is Charlie Brown, yes you read that correctly, and He is a Engineer/Paramedic for the Glendale Fire Department in Glendale, CA which is just 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. He has been with the GFD for almost 15 years, currently assigned as an Engineer. He lives in Moorpark, CA with his lovely wife, Lisa, and 3 children CJ, Reese, and Evelyn. When he’s not at the fire station he enjoys being as involved as he can with his children and community. He coaches his kids in their sports and is also an avid pickleball player.
His ultimate goal for his fire service career is to at nothing less, do his part to leave the fire service a better place than what it was when he entered it. It wasn't until a total stranger (Blake Stinnett, our Director) reached out through social media that Charlie knew how he could make a difference. He truly believes God put Blake and Next Rung in his life for a reason. As firefighters, we are called upon in people’s most desperate times of need, but who do we, the firefighters, call when we are in need? Charlie wants to be one of those resources to call, this is why he is here and this is why we started Next Rung.
CALEB GRESSMAN
Our Director of Peer Support is Caleb Gressman. He is an Engineer Paramedic for Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department in Florida. He has been serving the citizens of Duval County for 18 years. He currently lives on the farm he grew up on in the small town of Callahan, Florida with his wife of 21 years, Hillary, and their 3 daughters, Riley, Rowan, and Reese. For many years, Caleb and Hillary led a young couple mentorship ministry at their church where they walked alongside young couples as they began their journey into marriage. They focused on helping the couples build a strong foundation in Christ before entering into the marriage covenant.Caleb also serves on the Federal Disaster Medical Team (DMAT) FL-4 and the Urban Search and Rescue Team Task Force 5 out of Jacksonville, FL. Before Caleb entered the fire service, he lost a very close friend to suicide. After that loss, Caleb vowed to never let anyone suffer alone again. After connecting through the fire service for several years, our Director Blake Stinnett reached out to Caleb and asked him if he would be open to sharing the mission and vision of Next Rung to those around him. Caleb knew after speaking with Blake that day that this was how he could "Be there" for people. Especially his "brothers and sisters in the fire service." This is where Caleb's journey with Next Rung began. Caleb served on our Peer Support team and our board of directors before stepping into the Director of Peer Support position. Caleb has a simple yet meaningful saying that he uses daily, "BE THERE." It is as simple as that.
ROBERT ARRIETA
Robert Arrieta is our Director of Clinical Services. He is a Paramedic Lieutenant in the Fire Department and has been a first responder for over 21 years. Robert struggled with PTSD, depression, and unfortunately, eventually alcoholism for nearly half his career. Thankfully with the help of his faith, family, friends, and his peers at Next Rung, Robert entered treatment and has now been sober for over 4 years. Robert shares his story to raise awareness for mental health and suicide, reminding others they are not alone and it is ok to not be ok. His hope is to raise awareness and show that PTSD can impact anyone regardless of their walk in life, and that a community exists to support and uplift them.
Robert resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife and has a teenage son. When he isn’t working, he enjoys fitness, being outdoors, and his wife has taught him the love of traveling and experiencing life in ways he never knew possible prior to sobriety and advocacy.
Robert met Blake and Next Rung over 8 years ago through social media of all places. He knows that nothing happens by coincidence and that he was always meant to meet Blake. Robert is thankful and honored to be a part of Next Rung, believes God always has a plan, and it’s up to you to follow what is put in front of you. This belief truly saved Robert’s life.
JENNIFER HENDERSON
Jennifer Henderson is the Director of Development for Next Rung, where she plays a key role in securing grants, coordinating fundraising initiatives, planning events and building partnerships. We met Jennifer and her husband in 2019 when they founded Next Rung’s Battle for Mental Health, a first responder boxing event that raises awareness and support for mental health in the emergency services community. She joined our team in 2019 and is dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders.
She started her journey in EMS as a resident firefighter in her hometown in Eastern Washington, later becoming an EMT and working in South Central Los Angeles. She later became a paramedic training in North Dakota and worked in both Washington state and Southern California before becoming a physician assistant. Jennifer has worked as a cardiology physician assistant for 14 years, and is currently practicing at Loma Linda University Medical Center in San Bernardino, CA. She lives in Palm Desert, CA with her husband Scott, a firefighter paramedic with Pasadena Fire Department and member of the Next Rung peer support team and beautiful daughter, Berlin. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys traveling the world, fly fishing and playing the violin.
OUR BOARD
LOUIE DISNEY
​Louie Disney is our President. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Kaylin, and their two Dalmatians, Mason and Scarlett. They enjoy life in a small mountain cabin, spending as much time as possible outdoors hiking and camping. With over 15 years of service as a firefighter, Louie currently works with the Boulder Fire Department. In his free time, he travels across the country competing in the FCL Challenge alongside firefighters from all over the nation.Passionate about health and wellness, both physically and mentally, Louie recently turned 40 and competed in his first natural bodybuilding show—an experience that sparked a new passion for the sport.
CHRIS TORRES
Chris Torres is our Vice-President. He is a 12 Year veteran and a Lieutenant with the FDNY. He has been involved with Next Rung the last six years serving as a Peer Support counselor, Board Member, and for the last two years as Vice President of the Board of Directors.
Founder and Co-Owner of IGY6 Fitness, he became involved with Next Rung via his fundraising efforts through the a series of functional fitness events known as “Next Rung’s Got Your 6 Throwdown.”
A native New Yorker, he lives on Long Island, NY with his wife Christine (co-owner of IGY6 Fitness & FDNY EMT) and his two dogs, Dylan & Odin.
In addition to his service time with the City of New York, Chris Torres has been a pitcher with the FDNY Bravest Baseball Team for the last 11 seasons recently assuming the roll of the organizations Assistant Manager. Passionate about fitness, Chris has earned the opportunity on several occasions to compete as a CrossFit athlete representing the FDNY successfully and medaling in several national and International competitions. He notched a head-to-head victory against NYPD CrossFit in 2022. The FDNY’s first, and to date, only agency versus agency CrossFit/Functional Fitness competition.
DENNIS SCHOEN Jr.
Dennis Schoen Jr. is our Secretary. He serves as a Battalion Chief/Paramedic and Fire Marshal for the City of Sunland Park Fire Department in New Mexico. He has over 20 years of experience in fire and emergency services, with a strong focus on fire prevention, operations, and firefighter wellness.
He has been with Next Rung for over seven years, beginning as a State Liaison and serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Dennis remains a dedicated advocate for first responder mental health and peer support initiatives.
He has completed the 343 Commitment and the Still Counting Stair Climb Challenge, honoring the legacy of fallen firefighters while promoting resilience within the fire service. His wife also serves in the fire service as a chief officer, and together they share a lifelong commitment to public safety and professional excellence.
GRANT PARKER
Grant Parker is our Treasurer. He has also been involved with the organization as a peer support team member for the past 7 years. Grant is a Fire Captain with Merced City Fire, in Northern California where he has proudly served for 22 years. Passionate about serving others and making a positive impact, Grant spends his days devoted to his family and the fire service. Outside of those commitments, he dedicates his time to triathlon training and serving on the boards of three different non-profits. His drive to give back, both professionally and personally, reflects his commitment to community, resilience, and service.
SCOTT HENDERSON
Scott Henderson serves as a Board Member. He is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a firefighter paramedic with the Pasadena Fire Department. Over the years, Scott gained experience in various roles across the country, including as an EMT firefighter in Washington, a paramedic intern in North Dakota, and an engineer with CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, where he served for 11 years before transitioning to Pasadena.
In 2009, driven by a passion to support first responder mental health, Scott organized his first boxing event to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Despite having no prior experience, he and Jennifer successfully raised over $30,000 for Next Rung. That single event sparked a lasting commitment—Scott joined Next Rung as a peer support member and now proudly serves on its board of directors.
Scott’s journey with Next Rung took a deeply personal turn when he faced his own struggles with mental health and alcohol. Through faith, support, and determination, he has now been sober for over three years. He credits Next Rung with playing a pivotal role in his healing and transformation, both personally and professionally.
His wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Berlin, are his greatest inspirations. He also serves as cadre with the Fire Up Program, and continues to be a strong advocate for wellness in the fire service. Outside of work, Scott is also a competitive boxer. He recently competed in the Battle of the Badges, where he brought home the championship belt.