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About
The Forge

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The Forge is a respite designed to serve our first responders and military personnel (active and retired) by affording them a way to find balance, clarity, and renewed purpose.

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It’s not about treatment or recovery. It’s about restoration, strength, and leadership. The Forge is a platform for comrades to bond, build and forge powerful new friendships to allow them to heal the wounds of their work and create a stronger path forward.

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Each small group will help shape the experience and set the tone for the next. We are just beginning. The Forge is growing naturally through that crawl, walk, run approach: starting small, defining culture, mentoring new participants, and expanding as the foundation strengthens.

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In the big picture, we envision that The Forge will become:

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• A restorative retreat for these individuals and teams.

 

• A training and learning center for their leadership and wellness.

 

• A model that can be adapted in other regions where there is a need to support those who serve.

 

The Forge is proud to provide its programs, outings and events at no cost to first responders, military personnel and their families.

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We do not provide counseling services.

2026 Board of Directors

  • George W. H. Brinzey
          Co-Founder of The Forge, Retired Law Enforcement
  • Elise A. Redmond
          Co-Founder of The Forge, Partner, Fisher Broyles, LLP
  • Gina Lemons
        Co-Founder of The Forge, President, SEAC of the Carolinas
           and Owner, Midas Springs
  • Senator Vickie Sawyer
          NC District 37
  • Tom Gillan
          Founder of The Police Stress Unit Frontline Training Institute
  • Andrea Griffiths
         Corporate Relationships Manager, First National Bank of PA
  • Tracie Persinger
         CEO, Northcross Dental Care
  • Mel Labovitz
         United States Army Veteran (Military Police)
         and Active CMPD Volunteer
  • Captain Jeffery Bright
        Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Department
  • Julie Reuther-Nestler
         Non-Profit Leadership and Wellness Advocate
  • Mark O'Donnell
         CEO, Oink IP COO
  • Michelle Polito
         Commercial Broker, Knox Group, Inc.
  • Patrick Mayberry
        Director of Support Services (HSE & HR), The Roberts Company
  • Martin Von Dyck
         President, LumaClean, LLC
  • Nick Huges
         President, Defensive Shooting Solutions
  • Mark Sailors
        Owner, Mirage, LLC and Co-Founder, Top Deck Foundation
  • Justin Freeman
         Army Veteran (Airborne Combat Medic) and Registered Nurse​
  • Justin Campbell
         Officer, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
  • Dylan Polito
         Philanthropy Partner, TTX Company
  • Captain Michelle Hummel
         Retired Captain, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
         and Co-Founder of FRRA
  • Ken Parker
         Veteran, United States Marine Corps
  • Sheryl Chapman
         Retired Clinical Study/FDA Coordinator, Registered Nurse
         and Community Advocate
  • Chase Bennett
         Operations Analyst - Sanctions Screening, Bank of America,
         prior Law Enforcement
  • Beth Egan
         Financial Services Retired, Equine team lead
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