National Rescue & Response Institute

National Rescue & Response InstituteNational Rescue & Response InstituteNational Rescue & Response Institute

National Rescue & Response Institute

National Rescue & Response InstituteNational Rescue & Response InstituteNational Rescue & Response Institute
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Detailed Bios
    • Instructors
    • Employment
    • Disaster Response
  • Courses & Programs
    • Courses
    • Water Rescue Training
    • Technical Training
    • Mountain Rescue
    • Tactical Training
    • HAZMAT
    • Aerial Operations
    • Canyon Rescue
    • Wilderness Medicine
    • Guide Training
    • Cold Weather Training
    • Survival & Navigation
    • Tracking
  • Registration
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Who We Are
      • Detailed Bios
      • Instructors
      • Employment
      • Disaster Response
    • Courses & Programs
      • Courses
      • Water Rescue Training
      • Technical Training
      • Mountain Rescue
      • Tactical Training
      • HAZMAT
      • Aerial Operations
      • Canyon Rescue
      • Wilderness Medicine
      • Guide Training
      • Cold Weather Training
      • Survival & Navigation
      • Tracking
    • Registration
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Detailed Bios
    • Instructors
    • Employment
    • Disaster Response
  • Courses & Programs
    • Courses
    • Water Rescue Training
    • Technical Training
    • Mountain Rescue
    • Tactical Training
    • HAZMAT
    • Aerial Operations
    • Canyon Rescue
    • Wilderness Medicine
    • Guide Training
    • Cold Weather Training
    • Survival & Navigation
    • Tracking
  • Registration
  • Contact Us

Board of Directors

President & Co-Founder- Joseph Vulpis

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

President & Co-Founder- Joseph Vulpis

Joseph (Joey), one of our co-founders, has been a Mountain Guide & Mountain Rescue Instructor for many years. He works as a Government Contractor and expert in remote, wilderness, technical environments.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Co-Founder - Matthew Novellino

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

President & Co-Founder- Joseph Vulpis

Matt, one of our co-founders, is a former US Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer and a Special Forces Green Beret with the 5 Battalion/19th Group. He's also worked as a Mountain Guide. 

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Vice President - Michael Droubay

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

Michael worked for 7 years as a Senior Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician. He's worked as a NR-EMT and has held various positions as an instructor in the US Navy.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

Secretary of the Board - Bradley Clifford

Bradley served in the US Navy on the USS Stockdale and the Naval Special Warfare Center as an LS. He spent his time as the HAZMAT Program Leadership as a Petty Officer Second Class.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Director - Greg Merrell

Director - Carter Portillo

Director - Greg Merrell

Greg has been a Battalion Chief for Oklahoma City Fire Department for 21 years and is the Task Force Leader for OK-TF1/USAR. He is a former US Army Blackhawk UH-60 Pilot, Swiftwater Rescue Technician & a Safety Diver.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Director - John Avery

Director - Carter Portillo

Director - Greg Merrell

John served with the US Drug Administration (DEA) as a Special Agent for over 20 years. He's worked in the DEA's Special Operations Division and was an Instructor at the DEA Training Academy.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Director - Andrew Rigel

Director - Carter Portillo

Director - Carter Portillo

Andrew served in the US Army for 21 years. He retired from US Army  Special Forces 1st Group (Green Berets) as a Weapons Sergeant and Multi-Purpose Canine Handler.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Director - Carter Portillo

Director - Carter Portillo

Director - Carter Portillo

Senior Chief Portillo served in the US Navy as a SWCC for over 20 years, retiring soon. He's held various leadership roles in Naval Special Warfare including LCPO. Click Here for his detailed bio!

Director - Adam Macaluso

Director - Adam Macaluso

Director - Adam Macaluso

Lieutenant Colonel Macaluso served in the US Marines for 20 years, worked as a Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security NY and worked as a Detective in his local Police Department while serving with their Tactical Team and DEA Task Force.

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Director - Mike Tasman

Director - Adam Macaluso

Director - Adam Macaluso

24 years in the fire service industry, EMT, Rescue Technician, Water Rescue Technician, Land Search Technician, Hazmat Technician, Captain of the county

dive/rescue team (GASP) with ERDI training, US Diplomatic Executive Protection. 

 Click Here for his detailed bio!


Director - Joshua Keyes

Director - Adam Macaluso

Director - Joshua Keyes

Joshua Keyes honorably retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of distinguished

service. He began his career as a Crew Chief on the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber before

transitioning to the elite field of Pararescue (PJ). 

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Kyle Reich

Director - Adam Macaluso

Director - Joshua Keyes

As a U.S Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant, he has over a decade of combined military,

medical, and security leadership experience. Kyle served globally in high-risk, resource-constrained

environments, leading complex missions and providing advanced medical support to both U.S.

and partner force personnel. 

Click Here for his detailed bio!

Dr. Jena Casas

Gabrielle Woodruff

Dr. Jena Casas

Dr. Jena Casas is a licensed Clinical and Police and Public Safety Psychologist. She is a native Nevadan and owns and operates a private practice in the state, specializing in providing education, consultation, trainings, and mental health services to first responders, their families, and their organizations. She holds a master’s degree i

Dr. Jena Casas is a licensed Clinical and Police and Public Safety Psychologist. She is a native Nevadan and owns and operates a private practice in the state, specializing in providing education, consultation, trainings, and mental health services to first responders, their families, and their organizations. She holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, is certified as an emergency responder and public safety clinician 

Click Here for her detailed bio!

Open Position!

Gabrielle Woodruff

Dr. Jena Casas

If you're interested in applying to hold a position on our Board of Directors, email us at: nrrieducation@gmail.com

Molly McCollum

Gabrielle Woodruff

Gabrielle Woodruff

Molly served in the US Marines and is our Government Contractor Coordinator.

Click Here for her detailed bio!

Gabrielle Woodruff

Gabrielle Woodruff

Gabrielle Woodruff

Gabrielle is our Director of Marketing. 

Click Here for her detailed bio!

Our Board of Directors and Administrative Staff are experts in their field and/or discipline.

For more detailed information on our Board of Directors and staff, please visit the Detailed Bios page or Instructors page for information.

Detailed Bios

Copyright © 2008 - 2025 National Rescue & Response Institute - All Rights Reserved. 

Founded by Joey Vulpis & Matt Novellino

DUNS#, CAGE Code and UEI available upon request


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