ERI Management & Staff

ERI’s staff of qualified and talented professionals represent a full spectrum of operational skills and experience in SAR Management, Global Survival and Emergency Preparedness, and all ERI instructors have extensive experience conducting "high risk" training.

Robert "Skip" Stoffel

Skip is the President and founder of Emergency Response International. In addition to his role as ERI's executive editor, Skip instructs courses and spearheads the company's train-the-trainer programs offered throughout the world. As a trained EMT, SCUBA diver, former glider pilot and SAR Planning Specialist, Skip serves as the company’s lead instructor. Skip is a former USAF SERE instructor and an accomplished author, consultant, and emergency/SAR management expert.

Brett Stoffel

Brett graduated from the University of Washington with a double degree in Physics and Astronomy. He graduated from Willamette Law School in 2007 with an emphasis in Intellectual Property and a license with the US Patent and Trademark Office. He serves as Vice-President and General Counsel for ERI. In addition to Brett's extensive outdoor experience, he flew the B-52 as an Aircraft Commander and the B-2 as a Mission Commander and Instructor for the USAF, and managed the Combat Search and Rescue and SERE programs at the Squadron and Group levels. Brett also serves as an instructor in both SAR and Survival, and remains active with the Washington State Bar.

Shannon Stoffel

Shannon, ERI's Chief Financial Officer, is a graduate of Minot State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Finance with a Minor in Accounting. Shannon plays an integral role in all aspects of ERI’s day to day business operations, and runs ERI’s Publications and Equipment Sales division.

Mareen Stoffel

Mareen has been actively involved in the company since ERI's inception. In addition to proof reading manuscripts and brainstorming business decisions, Mareen is ERI's Corporate Secretary, office manager and takes care of a variety of day to day functions for ERI.

Peter Kummerfeldt

Peter spent 30 years as a Survival Escape Resistance Evasion (SERE) specialist in the USAF and retired as the director of the USAF Academy SERE program. Peter now serves as a much sought after speaker on outdoor safety and survival for both private groups and at outdoorsman shows around the country. Through his business, OutdoorSafe, Peter annually teaches thousands about preparedness and surviving unexpected emergencies.

Paul Green, PhD

As a tenured professor at Eastern Washington University, Paul holds a Doctorate in Outdoor Leadership. He also teaches high-risk outdoor skill courses at the University level and serves as an expert witness in outdoor related legal cases. Dr. Green is also a former USAF SERE instructor. He is an accomplished climber, teacher, search management coordinator and curriculum development specialist.

Brian Webb

Brian Webb is the Owner and primary instructor for IHS Training LLC, and is a renowned expert in International Travel Safety and Security, and Crisis Management & Disaster Planning. Brian was a professional pilot by trade and a former airline pilot who made his way into law enforcement. In 2013 he retired as a pilot and Federal Agent for the Department of Homeland Security. Brian has been teaching government employees, corporate executives, business travelers, missionary organizations, church mission teams and airline crewmembers how to travel into and out of foreign countries; plus, he has managed covert operations throughout the US and in foreign countries for nearly 20 years.

Tim Kneeland

In addition to working with ERI, Tim teaches FAR 135.331 Crewmember Emergency Training to commercial pilots and flight attendants from Corporate Air Parts, Van Nuys, CA. He started as a USAF SERE Instructor. After leaving the Air Force, he founded the Institute for Survival Education to create and produce survival and outdoor programs. Tim serves as an instructor and survival education consultant.

Ralph Wilfong

Ralph is a former State Search and Rescue Coordinator for the state of Virginia. In addition to SAR, he has comprehensive experience in emergency management, survival, emergency medical services, and law enforcement training and response. Ralph is a former flight paramedic, and maintains his law enforcement credentials. In addition to his role as an instructor and scheduler for ERI, Ralph also serves as the Air SAR coordinator for Eastern Washington.

Rich Lahn

Rich spent 26 years as a USAF Survival Instructor, also known as a (SERE) Survival Escape Resistance Evasion specialist and retired as an E9. He directed the development of the Air Force's ditching and water egress procedures used by Air Force helicopter crews at the MAJCOM level. He also supervised curriculum development and managed the Air Force Water Survival Program at Homestead AFB, FL.

Jeff Allsopp

Jeff graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in Geography. He served as a professional pilot in the USAF, flying the C-21 as an Aircraft Commander and Instructor for USAFE. Jeff then garnered a position as an instructor and director of curriculum development at CAE SimuFlite in Dallas, Texas. Jeff currently serves as an instructor, scheduler, and curriculum developer for ERI.

Clive Swombow - UK Division

Formerly a Chief Inspector with the North Wales Police, Clive is a search management specialist with extensive operational experience with 22 Squadron, British RAF helicopter unit. He is a member of Mountain Rescue and has instructed with ERI in 5 countries.

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