Speakers

Friday Keynote Speaker

CHARLIE KIRK

Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government. With representation on over 1,500 high school and college campuses nationwide and over 150 full-time staff, Turning Point USA is the largest and fastest growing conservative youth activist organization in the country.

At just 25-years-old, Charlie has appeared on CNBC, Fox News and FOX Business News over 600 times, is a columnist at Newsweek and The Hill, and was named to the Forbes “30 under 30” list. Charlie was also the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and is the author of two books and his upcoming title, “MAGA Doctrine,” is due out in February, 2019 from Harper Collins.

Charlie is also the Chairman of Students for Trump, which aims to activate one million new college voters on campuses in battleground states in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. In 2019, Charlie was granted an honorary doctorate from Liberty University citing his exceptional leadership and energetic voice for conservatives. His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and according to Axios, he is one of the "top 10 most engaged" Twitter handles in the world, behind only President Trump among conservatives.

Charlie is the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show”—which regularly ranks among the top 15 news shows on Apple podcast charts—where Charlie delivers in-depth analysis of the modern political and cultural landscape, mixing in philosophy and history with his signature campus activism along with interviews of some of the most influential people of our time.

Saturday Keynote Speaker

DOROTHY WOODS

Leadership and Freedom Center, Senior Faculty Advisor

Gettysburg, PA

Dorothy Narvaez-Woods brings leadership through service in many areas of expertise. Dorothy holds a BS in Neurophysiology from the University of Maryland. After earning her DDS from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, her residency training was completed at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. She has received Public Leadership training from Harvard Kennedy School.

After serving as a General Dental Officer in the United States Navy, Dorothy’s dental skills and expertise led her to open her own practice. Under the U.S. Department of Defense, Dorothy’s service includes practicing dentistry at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, and Dental Consultant for the White House Medical Unit.

Today, Dr. Dorothy Narvaez-Woods brings her leadership skills to the education field as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and as a Senior Faculty Advisor at the Leadership and Freedom Center in Gettysburg, PA. At the Leadership and Freedom Center, Dorothy teaches “Resilient Warrior” strategies and tools needed to build resiliency and well-being for the operator, spouse, family and force.

Friday Dinner Emcee

JAMES T. HARRIS

History does not only have seasons and rhythms – it rhymes and speaks to us… if we are willing to listen.

For more than 20 years, James T. Harris has been a sought-after international speaker, cultural and political commentator, and radio talk show host with iHeart Media at News Talk 550 KFYI in Phoenix, Arizona. He has spoken to a vast array of audiences – from hundreds of thousands of attendees at sports arenas, to small groups of business leaders, academics and students.

James has been published in a variety of news media, including The Washington Post, USA Today, Town Hall and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – just to name a few. His perspective and commentary have been featured on CNN, FOX News Network and ABC News, as well as a host of local television, radio and online programs.

There’s a reason for this.

James T. Harris invites audiences to observe culture in ways that they have not before. His varied experiences – growing up in a Midwest rustbelt manufacturing hub, studying in the U.K., traveling the world (and getting lost on three continents), raising a family in a central-city urban neighborhood and later in a wealthy suburb, living as an American of African descent but also with an independent mind unbound by race – help to illuminate the seasons, rhythms and rhymes of history and society.

Symposium Emcee

ROBERT VERA

Hailed by audiences as a powerful speaker delivering an “edge of your seat entertainment experience”, Robert’s presentation style is the perfect combination of inspiration and education. He empowers audiences with new tools to transform their lives into exciting adventures.

An avid writer Robert began keeping a journal at an early age and found it an interesting rear-view perspective of life. In 2015, he crafted his journal writings into his first book; A Warrior’s Faith (HarperCollins 2015). The story became an Amazon #1 Best Seller and earned the publishing industry’s 2016 Illumination Silver Medal Award for Best Memoir.

He is the Founder and Chairman of the Institute for Transformation, a non-profit organization that offers educational programs to entrepreneurs. He serves as a mentor to returning veterans and leads groups on “Transformational Expeditions” across the Grand Canyon, to the summit of Mt. Rainier, and other locations. He is a board member and a consultant to a select group of corporations and non-profit organizations including, the Patriot Boot Camp, Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation, Voz Que Clama Mission of Costa Rica, and Friends of Freedom.

Robert is married with children and lives in Phoenix, Arizona where he works as a professional speaker and writer.

Symposium Speakers

DR. JAKE JACOBS

President and founder of POLITICALLY INCORRECT INSTITUTE, the Host of Freedom Project Academy’s ONE NATION and the author of Mobocracy: The Cultural and Political War to Destroy Our Republic under God and Mother Should I Trust The Government:The Making and Keeping of our American Republic.

Jake has degrees in American History, Biblical Studies and Judeo-Christian Studies from Arizona State University, Ashland Theological Seminary and North-West University.

Dr. Jacobs has spent more than 33 years at the public and private high school system, and at the college level teaching his passion for our Constitutional Republic under God, all the while stressing historical correctness, in the face of politically correct intimidation by the academic establishment.

When Dr. Jacobs was a public High School teacher he publicly defended Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on Fox & Friends. Jake is a frequently requested speaker for, Young American’s for Freedom, a regular guest on Conservative Radio and very popular at Conservative, Civic and Church events. He is a dynamic and energized speaker, writer, and historian who will not only get your audience’s attention, but move them to action!

Dr. Jake Jacobs has been married for 34 years to his lovely wife Lori and has two children Joseph 30 and Anastasia 27 who lives in Sunny-Phoenix, Arizona. When he’s not writing, teaching or speaking he loves watching the Green Bay Packers and enjoys his fire-pit at night, watching the Heavens declare God’s Glory.

BOB CHITESTER

Bob Chitester is the founder, and executive chairman of the board of Free To Choose Network, a 501(c)(3) public foundation housing Free To Choose Media, an award-winning global entertainment company which produces and distributes thought-provoking public television programs and series; izzit.org, an educational initiative that produces video-centric teaching units for a large network of K-College educators; and Free To Choose Press publishing company.

In 1977, Chitester and economist Milton Friedman, and his wife, Rose, undertook a film project which became Free To Choose, an award-winning PBS TV series and an international best-selling book based on the series, with sales in the millions. More than 30 years later, the series and book are still in wide use and have been profoundly influential.

MIKE DAY

NAVY SEAL SR. CHIEF

Mike Day had never been shot before, but that changed dramatically one night in April 2007.

Al Qaeda terrorists shot Day more than two dozen times. Body armor capable of handling only one round took multiple hits at close range and amazingly held together. Any one of the rounds should have killed him. "This body armor took more rounds than it was supposed to," explained Day, who is now retired. "They advertise that it can take one round, and then it falls apart to the point where it's not supposed to stop any further projectiles. And this whole gunfight was inside of 10 feet," Day elaborated. "Just another sign that I shouldn't have survived it," said Day.

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF (SEAL/AW/EXW)

CHRISTOPHER A. BROWNELL

UNITED STATES NAVY

Master Chief Brownell is a native of Whitehouse, Texas and a 1983 graduate of Whitehouse High School. In December of 1989 he enlisted in the Navy and attended boot camp at the Naval Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes IL. He entered the UDT/SEAL pipeline and successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training class 172 in February of 1991.

His duty stations include SEAL Team TWO, SEAL Tm EIGHT, SEAL Tm TEN, and NSW GROUP 2 TRADET, Command Master Chief of SEAL Tm Eight, Command Master Chief of SEAL Tm Eighteen, Command Master Chief of NSW Unit Two, Command Master Chief of NSW Group 2 and currently the HQ SOCOM J3 Operations Senior Advisor for Major General Jarrard.

Master Chief Brownell’s qualifications include:

Static Line and Military Freefall Parachutist and Jumpmaster, Diving Supervisor, Range Safety Officer, HRST Master Instructor, Naval Instructor, Special Operations Medical Sergeant, Land Warfare ROIC/RSO, Demolition ROIC/RSO, Indirect Fire ROIC/RSO, Close Quarter Combat ROIC/RSO, Laser Safety ROIC/RSO, and Nationally Certified Paramedic. Master Chief Brownell has numerous deployments to Somalia, Europe, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq in support of the global war on terror.

His personal awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medal, one Joint Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals one with “V”, one Army Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, one Army Achievement Medal and numerous other unit and campaign awards. Master Chief Brownell holds an Associate degree from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor Degree from Excelsior College, and has a Masters in Strategic Leadership from University of Charleston WV, he is a graduate of the Naval Senior Enlisted Academy, the Summit Course, the Keystone course, and the Component Commanders Course.

NEIL GUINAN

Executive Director. Trident Camp

Cornelius "Nlel" M. Guinan retired in 2015 after a remarkable thirty year career in the U.S. Military. He served four years as an enlisted Marine and 26 more years as a U.S. Navy SEAL officer. Throughout his military career he excelled in leadership positions at all levels. Building high performance teams with individuals from extremely diverse backgrounds and organizations, and steering those team to affectively achieve common goals.

He retired as a captain in the Navy and his awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars (one for valor), a Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendations and three Navy Commendations.

Since his retirement in January 2015 Captain Guinan has been speaking on leadership and team building in many forums and serves as a corporate executive mentor.

Mr. Guinan also runs Camp Trident, a camp for teenage boys focusing on increasing self confidence, initiative, leadership, teamwork, decision making, and responsibility. Bottom line- Camp Tridents goal is assisting these boys develop as they realize they are young men.

Mr. Guinan holds a BA from the University of CT in International Affairs and a B.S in Strategic Planning from the National Defense Institute.

JEFF UTSCH

Jeff is a Leadership and History instructor at the Leadership and Freedom Center in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He teaches leadership lessons learned from the battle and the process of forging trusted teams and leaders. Jeff also teaches professional development and 'leading with a purpose' courses to law enforcement and other agencies around the country. He is the founder of Heirs of the Republic Educational Foundation an Arizona-based grassroots 501 c 3 dedicated to “Securing the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and Our Posterity”.

Using the skills he developed as an All-American swimmer and Captain of the University of Arizona swim team, Jeff currently serves as an Instructor to the Navy SEALs / Naval Special Warfare community where he teaches Navy SEALS and support personnel in specialized tactical swimming. He also served as a Director and Ambassador for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Jeff is a self-taught constitutional scholar and historian with a keen interest in the founding of our country. He currently can be heard as the constitutional expert on the iHeart radio Podcast “Constitutional Conversations” with radio personality James T. Harris.

Jeff Utsch

jeff@freedomexpoaz.com

520-977-7946

Heirs of the Republic

Freedom Expo