About Us - Fallen First Reserve

About the Reserve

Early in 2020 President Mitch Weinstein had a vision for a fund dedicated to First Responders killed in the line of duty. After putting some thoughts together the Lakeland, Florida native drafted an email describing his ideas. Unbeknown to him that very same morning Police Officer Paul Dunn, a Marine Veteran and member of the Lakeland Police Department, was involved in an on-duty motorcycle accident and passed away from his injuries.

Unfortunately this is far too common in the First Responder and Military community. It is estimated that 250–300 are killed in the line of duty every single year.

Fallen First Reserve is a special fund that helps pay financial expenses related to the passing of a first responder. Your contribution helps honor the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the public safe. Our goal is to provide financial support immediately upon the passing of a first responder.

Line of Duty Deaths in 2020

Jessica Davis

Director of Marketing

As a self-proclaimed Army Brat, Jessica is very supportive of our military and their families. Born in Fort Hood, Texas, she spent most her childhood outside the gates of Fort Rucker in Ozark, Alabama, home of Army Aviation, where her father retired after proudly serving for 21 years as a CW4, Army Master Aviator Flight Instructor. With strong ties to the military, Jessica’s grandfather served as an Army medic in the Korean War and her brother attended the United State Military Academy, West Point. During her adolescent years, Jessica served as the battalion commander for her Army JROTC unit and was a member of her varsity rifle team where she became a qualified expert marksman. During this time, she was selected to attend a prestigious leadership conference hosted by the Military Order of World Wars. She later went onto serve as a staff member where she planned, coordinated and executed multi-day patriotic leadership conference for our nation’s youth in both Tallahassee, Florida and Huntsville, Alabama. Through her efforts, she is the proud recipient of the Silver Patrick Henry Award for Patriotism and a lifetime member of the Military Order of World Wars.

Jessica currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Branding for Acentria Insurance, where she primarily focuses on brand management, sales driven and client facing multi-faceted marketing campaigns, community involvement and corporate led events. With over 18 years of marketing experience, Jessica utilizes the latest trends and technology to assist team members with continually growing their books of business. In addition, her efforts keep her organization at the forefront of not only clients, but also the insurance industry itself. As an integral member of the Executive Leadership team, Jessica’s innovative efforts further build and continue the foundation of Acentria’s positive corporate culture. She has been nationally recognized for her efforts and was names as an Elite Woman in the Insurance Industry by Insurance Business America.

Before joining Acentria Insurance, Jessica worked for national non-profit organizations, such as the American Heart Association and Boys & Girls Clubs. Having a passion for giving back to the community, she launched the #AcentriaCares program which empowers and engages team members to participate and make a difference in the communities in which they serve. Since inception, #AcentriaCares has assisted with giving over $1.5 million back in crucial dollars to further support the missions of several local, regional and national non-profits.

Jessica received a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications from Troy State University. As a self-proclaimed Army Brat, she is very supportive of our military. She is a life-long member of the Military Order of World Wars and was awarded the Silver Patrick Henry for Patriotism. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time boating, deep sea fishing and being outdoors with her two daughters, Madison and Taylor.

Robert Garland

Chairman

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. That mission stands true to assisting families that have endured tragedies through line of duty deaths. As the Chairman of this non-profit organization, Robert will continue to provide our nation’s heroes families with the support they deserve.

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. 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 Director of Technology for Massapequa Coast Little League. Robert also serves as a podcast host on Heroes First Podcast.

About the Reserve

Jessica Davis

Director of Marketing

STEVE GIORDANO

ADVISOR

DAVID MILLER

LEGAL COUNSEL

MICHAEL LALUNA

TREASURER

ASHTON REAGIN

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

MITCH WEINSTEIN

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

Robert Garland

Chairman