A veteran leader and virtuous personality, Gene Saunders is the Founder and CEO of Project Lifesaver. He has served for more than three decades with the Chesapeake Police Department serving in Patrol, Vice, Narcotics, Detectives, and Training.
Gene served inline function and command elements of each of these units. He co-founded the Special Weapons and Tactics team in 1974 serving as tactical commander and commander for 23 years with over 800 operations. He served as the Chief Investigator on several large multi-state, international drug, and organized crime conspiracy investigations.
During the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, he also worked as a shift commander for the Olympic Security Team at the soccer venue. Furthermore, he retired in 2001 as a Captain. He has spearheaded many leadership and command positions in National Guard and State Defense Force in Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger Units.
He served in US Air Force Aux. (Civil Air Patrol) as a Senior Squadron (Ranger) commander and five years as Commandant of the Middle East Region Staff College.
Gene is a certified instructor in Pursuit Driving, Firearms, Special Operations, Raid Planning, General Law Enforcement, and Search and Rescue. Founded Project Lifesaver International in 1999 and have overseen its growth to over 1,600 public safety organizations in 50 states, six provinces in Canada, and one agency in Australia.
Gene is a volunteer helicopter flight officer with the Virginia Beach Police Department and has done skydiving for many years. He has trained and worked extensively with Naval Special Warfare. Additionally, he has been recognized internationally as an expert and the Father of radio tracking recovery of persons at risk.
With his rich experience and proficient knowledge regarding the search and rescue field, he has authored several articles for magazines concerning wandering and has appeared on numerous local, national, and international radio and television programs. These include; CBS Early Show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition; Living the Life; Fox News; The Discovery Channel, CNN News, The Daily Buzz, and William Shatner’s “Moving America Forward.”
He has also performed as an actor and did lead and supporting roles in the TV series; The Prosecutors. The FBI Files, The New Detectives, and The Untold Stories of the Navy SEALS.
Gene’s core competencies include Public Speaking, Firearms, Driving, Special Operations, Search and Rescue, Electronic Search and Rescue, Management, and Leadership.
More about Project Lifesaver
Founded in 1999, Project Lifesaver is a non-profit 501c3 organization and premier search and rescue program operated internationally by public safety agencies and is strategically designed for “at risk” individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering.
The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely responses to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition.
Project Lifesaver clients are Police, Sheriff, Fire, and Search and Rescue agencies. It offers them training, equipment, and program support throughout their association as well as quality equipment.
Project Lifesaver’s initiative is designed to deliberately integrate cutting-edge locating technology, cutting-edge search and rescue techniques, and community policing training to train first responders on cognitive problems. The time it takes to find approved Project Lifesaver agencies has been cut in half, from hours to days. Project Lifesaver agencies recover in 30 minutes on average, which is 95 percent faster than typical operations without Project Lifesaver and this is what is its key differentiator.
The Noble Reason behind becoming an Author
Gene decided to co-author the book “Deploying High”, the Project Lifesaver Story because of urging from several people wanting to know more about the program and its origins.
Addressing the Primary Challenges
Primary challenges have been keeping up with and improving Project Lifesaver’s equipment, training, and technology. The company has also had to fend off for-profit companies attempting to take its organization over.
Gene as an expert leader shares his insightful advice on how companies can contribute to a more balanced and equal industry, “Be more responsive to your clients and cooperative with your industry partners.”
Gene pens A Day in his Life
On arrival at the office, I go over the emails received, check my calendar for calls and meetings, and check in with our office in Virginia on the previous days’ happenings and potential areas of concern. I get with any staff on problems and try to resolve them. Go over training and membership requests, meet with staff members in different areas to go over their progress, etc. I like to read and spend time with my wife, Jean, four sons, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
When asked, “how did you get where you are today, and who/what helped you along the way?” Gene stated, “Good fortune, tenacity, and help from too many people to name.”
Favorite Quote and Book
Gene’s favorite quote is “You’re only as good as your last Op”! There are a lot of books he has taken life lessons from, however, the two books that have inspired him truly are “Make Your Bed” by Admiral William McRaven and “Overcome” by Jason Redman.
The Next Big Step
Project Lifesaver is moving into new technology and adding to its offering of equipment and partnering with other organizations to offer more assistance and information on the disorders it is dealing with. It aims to be an industry leader in public safety culture. Gene is most excited to start offering their equipment line.
To summon it up, he states, “Keeping up the morale and motivation results in good work habits and production.”
The Winning Moments
Project Lifesaver has been fortunate in receiving several awards. To name a few, Non-Profit of the Year, Most Admired Company of the Year, Most Influential Company of the Year, Cooperation Program of the Year, and Program of the Year.
A Powerful Piece of Advice to Female Entrepreneurs entering the Business World
Gene is a source of inspiration. He is a veteran leader, who has withstood the many challenges entrepreneurship and leadership have thrown at him. Sharing his piece of advice, he says, “Forge ahead! Don’t think of yourself as a female! Think of yourself as an industry leader and person in charge. Lead and inspire!”
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