Board of Directors
Ray H.
Veteran Representative
Ray Hendrick hails from Sarasota, Florida. He began his military career with the Virginia Army National Guard in 1989 as a Lieutenant of Infantry after receiving a commission from Marion Military Institute. In 1996, he enlisted in the Regular Army as an 11B Infantryman and was assigned to 3rd Ranger Battalion at Ft. Benning, GA.
CSM Hendrick has served in operational, staff, and leadership positions from Rifleman to Command Sergeant Major, and Platoon Leader to Assistant Operations Officer. Highlights of his active-duty service include nine years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, nine more years in the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and Command Sergeant Major assignments at two separate battalions; the United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area, at Panmunjom, Korea and 1st Battalion 307th Infantry at Fort Dix, New Jersey. During his time in the Virginia Army National Guard, Ray served seven years in the 116th Infantry Regiment.
Ray’s overseas service includes four deployments to Afghanistan and nine deployments to Iraq as a member of the 3rd Ranger Battalion and the Asymmetric Warfare Group. While serving in the Virginia Army National Guard, he participated in the first Reserve Component rotation of the Sinai Peacekeeping Mission in Egypt. He also served three years at the Joint Security Area; the last American outpost on the Korean De-Militarized Zone.
Ray’s military and civilian education is wide-ranging. His education includes a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, he is a graduate of both the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute. Most notably he is a graduate of the US Army’s harrowing and prestigious Ranger School.
Ray has been recognized for both civilian and military accomplishments. Military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Valorous Unit Award, and even the Army Staff Badge. However, his mother is always proudest of his Eagle Scout badge, earned as a member of Boy Scout Troop 129 in Sarasota, Florida.
Jalaine H.
Law Enforcement Representative
Jaline has been serving her community for almost 20 years. She was an emergency dispatcher for six years before beginning a career in law enforcement. In 2008 Jailine joined the Utah Highway Patrol and is currently serving as a Lieutenant with this amazing organization. Jalaine is also a military veteran that served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduating high school.
Jaline is a mother of two energetic six-year old’s, and loves travel, camping, and reading. She believes empathy, kindness, and empowering women to make their lives better is a key component of her life and her service in Law Enforcement. Jalaine says she is on a constant journey of learning and networking by, with, and through the community.
Levon S.
Fire-Fighter Representative
Levon is a born & raised Texan who has always been proud of not only his State, but his Country. He has always known that God put him on this Earth to be a servant and he has made that a priority in his life.
Levon joined the US Navy in 2000, before the war began. He went on to do two deployments in the Middle East during Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Levon was chosen to be put on a small team that went with Marine Force Recon during intense deployments to do non-compliant piracy boardings throughout the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
After his Service and transition to civilian life, he wanted to continue to serve, so in 2006 he became a professional Firefighter/EMT with Lake Travis Fire Rescue in Austin, Texas. Then joining his fire department competition team, Levon was awarded the 2007 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge “Rookie of The Year” at the World Finals.
Always looking for ways to improve and serve, Levon wanted to help families not only when tragedy happens, but with establishing themselves. In 2007, he became a Licensed Realtor and has a successful Real Estate Business aiding individuals in Residential, Commercial, and Ranch sales.
“My overall goal is to keep helping the Community, Veterans, and Families utilizing the skills that I have built over the years.”
“We are all a Team and need all the support we can get from each other. No one is perfect and the stress that comes from serving in the Military and as a First Responder, I know firsthand!” Levon Steele
staff
Jamahl Labbe
President, Co-Founder
Jamahl retired from the United States Army in March of 2016 after 20+ years of service. Throughout his career he served with the 75th Ranger Regiment <3>, Stryker Infantry Brigades, and the Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG). He has participated in numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Jamahl worked closely, and deployed with retired Law Enforcement professionals on his last assignment within AWG. Why did Jamahl start Project Overwatch? Jamahl’s words.
“When I watched how the events of Ferguson and Baltimore effected my brothers at AWG it provoked me. I respected these men, I deployed with them! Many of my old Soldiers went to law enforcement after they got out.”
“The more I saw, the more I wanted to do something, but I didn’t know where to start. I wanted to get in the fight, Project Overwatch was my method.”
“I believe there is a a lot of connective tissue between the Veteran and Police Officer service to country and community. We Support and Defend and they Protect and Serve.”
Mac
Co-Founder
Mac is currently retired, and he has served in the United States Army for 14 years with numerous conventional units. He currently serves on a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha Team. He has participated in frequent Iraq and Afghanistan rotations, as well as other foreign partner enabling deployments around the world. Mac’s brother in law is an officer with the New York City Police Department. Why does Mac volunteer? Macs words: “I have deep appreciation for Emergency Responders, especially because of the frequency of personal deployments, they watch my Homefront while I am gone.” “I want to give back to those who give selflessly, every day. It is the right thing to do!”
Marcy HeHnLy
Vice President
Marcy joined the United States Army in 1993 where she served 5 years as a Military Police Officer in Korea and Ft. Benning, GA. After her discharge she joined the Cobb County Police Department in Marietta, GA. While working as an officer, she served in various capacities. She was a patrolman, field training officer, a narcotics agent, and a recruiter/background investigator. She retired from the agency in 2008. She now works as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Utah Valley University. She has also assisted numerous Utah police agencies with curriculum development in racial profiling and diversity training. Why does Marcy volunteer? Marcy’s words:
“These are my brothers and sisters in blue. No one knows hard work, dedication and commitment to what they do unless they have walked a mile in their shoes.”
“If I have a chance to advocate in any way for my family (All those in public safety) then that is what I will do! All public safety employees need to know they are appreciated, they are supported, and that we stand behind their efforts to give back when others only judge their actions.”
Chris Brower
Project Coordinator
Chris retired from the United States Army after 20 years of service in October 2014. He has served with 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, a Military Transition Team, and the Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG). He has several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has deployed and trained with first responders and has numerous friends and former colleagues that are first responders. Why does Chris volunteer? Chris’ words:
“It is a travesty how a society can turn on a very special group of people whose sole purpose is to rush towards danger and selflessly serve those in their community.”
Haley Brown
Operations Manager
Haley Brown is the Operations Manager for Project Overwatch, overseeing the daily operations and assisting on all marketing efforts and non-profit projects. Haley’s experience in volunteer support, media, and marketing is a crucial component to the organization, research, and success of the non-profit.
Haley is very passionate about our mission and eager to assist in the growth of this organization, her grandfather and uncle both retired from the police department. First responders and their work have always been an important part of her life. Haley is the first line of contact to help us move forward in our goal to energize and support the law enforcement and fire fighter communities. Her passion and work ethic makes her invaluable to the Project Overwatch team.
Krista Labbe
Project Coordinator
Krista has served in the United States Army Nurse Corps for over 19 years and plans to retire in summer of 2023 in order to increase her focus on her family and Project Overwatch.
Krista started her career in the Army as a Registered Nurse. After serving at the bedside and in several leadership roles throughout the United States, Germany, and Afghanistan as a registered nurse, she returned to school to earn a Doctorate of Nursing Practice as a Certified Nurse Midwife.
Her passion to serve those that serve our country and our community directly supports the Project Overwatch mission as she works to coordinate projects to improve the well-being of our first responders.
Joy Montoya
Western Region Director
Joy Montoya is a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic with 21 years of full-time experience at West Jordan Fire Department. She completed her master’s degree in Health Promotion and Education at the University of Utah in 2017. Since then, she has been teaching classes on Resilience, Peer Support, Mental Health/Well-being and Spouse Support courses to public safety audiences and other agencies and groups all over the state of Utah. She also worked as the Mental Health Coordinator at the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy teaching classes and writing articles for the Straight Tip fire magazine. Recently, she joined forces with Project-Overwatch as a co-founder for the Female First Responder L.I.F.E. Event which provides networking opportunities and support for female firefighters and law enforcement officers.