Our Team

Law Enforcement Outreach

As an active first responder, Robert Garland has seen firsthand the hardships that the brave men and women who serve their communities face both on and off duty. As CEO and Founder of Fund the First, his sole mission is to provide a trustworthy platform where fellow first responders, members of the military and their families can get financial support in times of need.

The inspiration for Fund the First came when Robert set out to help his superior officer who was facing mounting medical expenses related to his daughter’s rare illness. As he researched the best ways to raise money, he realized his brothers and sisters in blue were skeptical of existing crowdfunding sites. It was then, Robert made the decision to build a better platform that all first responders and military can trust.

In 2017, with a passion for entrepreneurship and a tenacious will to help those in need, Robert built his organization from the ground up. First, he enlisted the help of his four co-founders. An incredible team with well over half century of experience in law enforcement, finance, marketing and business operations. Each shares Robert’s vision to help as many people in need as possible. In July, 2020, after three years of development, Robert and the co-founding team formally launched what has quickly become the nation’s leading crowdfunding platform for first responders and military!

Beyond Fund the First, Robert is a decorated Detective with the New York City Police Department where he specializes in complex investigations. During his 12 years in law enforcement, Robert has worked in various roles and the NYPD’s Narcotics Division which included various joint interagency operations with the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Well respected in his field, Robert also serves as an expert witness to the Office of Special Narcotics New York.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavors, Robert attended New York Institute of Technology where he majored in behavioral sciences and played outfield for their Division I baseball program. When he’s not protecting and serving the people of the five boroughs, or helping first responders and military personnel in need, Robert can be found spending time with his wife and three young children. Massapequa raised, Robert continues to be a fixture in the local community as a volunteer baseball coach and AED Director for Massapequa Coast Little League.

Medical Professional Outreach

John has been a certified Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Florida for over seven years. His current assignment is a dual purpose canine handler, as well as a part time SWAT operator for the regional SWAT team. Prior to a career in law enforcement, John attended the New York Institute of Technology where he majored in Criminal Justice. During his time at NYIT, he was a relief pitcher for the college’s Division I baseball team. He graduated with honors in May of 2009. As Chief Compliance Officer, John’s experience as a member of the first responder community will help guide the organization to empower those in need.

Corrections Outreach

Michael is a certified public accountant with a wide range of experience in areas such as Assurance, Taxation, Entity Formation, Business Structuring, Offers-In-Compromise and Internal Controls. He provides significant tax consulting and compliance services for clients in various industries including private companies with local, national and international operations. He is a current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Prior to becoming a CPA, Mr. LaLuna graduated from New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and subsequently spent 3 years playing professional baseball for various teams including the Detroit Tiger’s organization.

Firefighter Outreach

Kevin serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of this organization. He brings 15 years of law enforcement experience and is currently serving as a Lieutenant in the New York City Police Department. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Connecticut State University where he majored in communications with a minor in criminal justice. While attending WCSU, he was a four-year member of the baseball team. Kevin is the son of a retired firemen (FDNY), brother to a member of DSNY, and brother to Sergeant in the NYPD.

Dispatch Outreach

With law enforcement as the foundation of his life and career, Mitch joined the Dade County Public Safety Department in 1973 as a Public Safety Officer at 20 years old. Along the way, earning his Emergency Medical Technician certification, Mitch retired from his full-time law enforcement career as a Sergeant with Plantation Police Department in 1981. His passion to serve his community continued for 10 more years as a reserve officer for both the Broward and Polk County Sheriff’s Departments while beginning his business career.

A business career spanning almost 40 years, Mitch has extensive experience in launching two highly successful entrepreneurial ventures in managed care and insurance brokerage. His most cherished experience during his business career is working with the Boys and Girls Club of Polk County. As a B&G Board Member for more than 15 years, Past President and Board Member of the Year for the State of Florida, his charitable work is only beginning as he joins Fund the First as Chief Business Strategy Officer.

Military Outreach

Ashton brings extensive experience in enhancing operations, strategic marketing, and organizational design and development. She also brings experience in military family relations as an active-duty Marine Corps spouse of 13+ years. Ashton is currently the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Liberty Source, a woman-led flexible outsourcing firm with a social mission to employ military spouses and veterans.

Additionally, she is the creator of a successful military lifestyle digital planning mobile app, Organized Chaos. The app was created for military families to organize and streamline their chaotic lives. In 2020, she received recognition from Armed Forces Insurance as the Military Spouse of the Year – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for her work and advocacy for military families.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and an MBA degree from Liberty University.

Mike LiPetri was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 6, 2018. His district is comprised of parts of both Nassau and Suffolk counties, including South Farmingdale, Massapequa, portions of Fire Island and the Great South Bay area, Massapequa Park, West Babylon, Babylon, West Islip, and Brightwaters.

As an Assemblyman, Mike will continue his fight to hold criminals accountable, and root out and prevent public corruption in state government. He will also advocate for reduced state spending, small business growth, and the elimination of burdensome regulations that hamper statewide economic development.

As an attorney, Mike has worked with law enforcement and emergency services providers. Understanding their commitment to our neighborhoods and their unwavering service, Mike will continue to advocate on their behalf and take steps to provide additional resources to help curtail the proliferation of heroin and other opioids in communities across the state. Additionally, Mike will fight hard to preserve Long Island’s precious water quality so Long Island can be a sustainable community for future generations.

Prior to being elected to the New York State Assembly, Mike defended the City and its agencies including the NYPD, FDNY, and correctional officers. Mike also worked in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Albany County District Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General of the State of New York. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School of Union University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York at Albany.

A resident of Massapequa, Mike is very involved in his community. He volunteers his time for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Sons of Italy, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Sons of AMVETS, Massapequa Chamber of Commerce, and the Long Island Association. In honor of his achievements in both the civic and professional communities, Mike has been recognized by the Long Island Business News as one of Long Island’s upcoming business and civic leaders.

Chief Haselrig began her career with LASD in 1988 as a deputy sheriff trainee. After the Academy, she was assigned to Sybil Brand Institute. She worked patrol at Carson station, serving in various capacities before transferring to Recruit Training Bureau as a staff instructor. She promoted to the rank of sergeant and served at Walnut and Compton stations. While at Compton, she was the patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, and acting watch commander.
Haselrig promoted to lieutenant at Pitchess Detention Center and later went to Century Regional Detention Facility, West Hollywood, Coveted Testing Unit, and Central Property and Evidence, where she was responsible for oversight of the largest evidence and property warehouse in the county. She promoted to captain and was assigned to Court Services Transportation Bureau, responsible for managing the transportation of inmates to and from stations, courthouses, and jail facilities all over the county.

Throughout her career, she has served in many roles, including being the first community oriented policing deputy for the city of Carson and
Emergency Operations coordinator at Walnut Station. She has been Board Chair for The Resource Center and a representative for multiple law
enforcement unions. Haselrig has been involved with Feed the Homeless events, the Community Development Center and Project Angel Tree. She has helped organize charitable giving campaigns and was a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Phoenix.

Haselrig has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Emergency Management Administration. When she is off-duty, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, golfing, and staying active. She has run the Los Angeles Half Marathon, as well as the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Boston Marathons.

As Chief, Haselrig oversees Court Services Division, which is comprised of approximately 634 courtrooms and lock-up facilities in 58 court buildings throughout the county. The Division transports 4,500 inmates daily, traveling over two million miles annually.