Our Team
Pete Ungaro
Program Director
Pete Ungaro is one of the co-founders of Guardian Training Service and proudly served almost 18 years in law enforcement with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa City. While at the Sheriff's Office he was certified as a Drug Recognition Expert, Drug Recognition Expert Instructor, Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor, Guest Instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Reserve Academy Instructor, Law Enforcement Representative in the Rural Roads Safety Video, and recipient of the Life-Saving Award. He currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Police Psychology, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Leadership and Executive Management, and is in the dissertation process of his Ph.D. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology. His dissertation and expertise are focused on wellness, PTSD, the impact of repeated traumatic events, and the need for employee mental health assistance.
Bill Searls
Associate Program Director
Bill, a co-founder of Guardian Training Service, possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Iowa with an emphasis on Criminology. Following college Bill began his law enforcement career with the Coralville Police Department, serving in this position for 17 years. While employed at CPD he served in a variety of capacities, ending his service as a patrol sergeant. Beyond his patrol-related responsibilities, Bill created the Community Relations/Crime Prevention position, began a Substance-Free Summer program, and served as the first CPD DARE Officer. Bill also fulfilled the role of EMT/First Responder, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Emergency Response Team member, Bicycle Officer, Property and Evidence Technician, and Child Safety Seat Technician. He was committed to training other area officers, Citizens Police Academy, and Johnson County Reserve Officers, just to name a few.
Following his career in Coralville, Bill worked briefly for the Iowa Department of Correction at the Hope House in Coralville. He departed Hope House to become the Associate Director for the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety. During his tenure, he worked closely with students, staff, faculty, and administration to address a variety of campus issues. The University of Iowa Department of Public Safety provided Bill with the opportunity to manage the Investigative Division (including Threat Assessment and supervision of the UIPD’s Drug Task Force appointee), Non-sworn Security Division, Sex Crimes Unit, and Crime Prevention. Additionally, he collaborated in the development and implementation of their Threat Assessment Team. Bill was instrumental in the creation of the University’s original Emergency Response Team and the University’s Nite Ride Program. He worked closely with the United States Secret Service (USSS) to successfully orchestrate visits by the President and other dignitaries.
Rich Oliva
Program Coordinator
Rich Oliva proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1986-1993. During this time, he completed multiple land deployments and three cruises, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Rich was awarded Junior Sailor of the Year in 1992 at CFLSW Det-1. While in the Navy, Rich served as an Aviation Structure Mechanic on F-14s and then as part of the Military Police. Rich began to expand his career path to Fire Fighting and Emergency Medical Services while stationed in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia. After receiving an Honorable Discharge and being classified as a Disabled American Veteran, he moved back home to Nebraska to continue his career in EMS. He started as a volunteer Fire Fighter, then worked to advance himself by obtaining National Registry Certifications and an EMT, and then as a Paramedic. For over 25 years during his EMS career, Rich has worked for Private Ambulance Services, Paid Fire Departments, and as a Volunteer. For over 15 years of his EMS career, Rich shared his knowledge and experience with others as an instructor that provided both paid and volunteer departments with the skills needed to start or further their own careers. As an instructor, Rich was able to work with departments and members from several areas of Nebraska as well as other states. His final paramedic role was with the Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport Team in Omaha. In 2007 he took on the role of Emergency Management Coordinator for a local health system. From there he was promoted to the Manager of Security & EM, then to the Director of Security, Communications, and Emergency Management for a total of 15 years of service. While employed by the local health system, he trained hospital staff on de-escalation techniques and simple self-defense techniques through a Crisis Prevention Institute/Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention as a Master Level instructor. He was a PPCT instructor for security for many years.
He is currently working for Prudential Defense Solutions, a private company that provides contracted armed security for the U.S. Marshals Service. Rich works as part of a regional team that provides armed security for the transport of federal inmates as well as on-site security when federal inmates are admitted to a hospital.
He is actively involved with his local DAV Chapter and is the current Sergeant at Arms for the Nebraska DAV Department. He is a board member with JAVELAN, a group of the Omaha First Responders Foundation. JAVELAN provides service dogs for Veterans and First Responders at almost no cost.
Rich shares with others his firsthand experiences that he has dealt with from the military and as a first responder for the last 30-plus years and how it has affected him.
Dawn Rechkemmer, LMHC, NCC
Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator
Dawn provides counseling services in the state of Iowa as a National Certified Counselor. Dawn previously worked in Emergency Medical Response as a Paramedic for 20+ years. Her professional experience contributes to a culturally competent approach to the services she provides. Her emergency response career began as a volunteer First Responder and completed as a Paramedic Supervisor for Johnson County Ambulance Service (JCAS). Dawn demonstrated her dedication to peer advocacy as she fulfilled the role of Union President before entering a management role at JCAS.
After leaving the ambulance service, Dawn sought to further her education by obtaining a master’s degree from Walden University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is offering her services at Evergreen Therapy Center located at 595 Ashley Court Suite #5, North Liberty, Iowa, 52317 (Phone 319-535-3244). She possesses a passion for working collaboratively with other Emergency Responders to aid in coping with work-related stressors, enhance mental health, and aid in professional longevity. Dawn offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocess (EMDR) for trauma-related symptoms. EMDR is an effective psychotherapy technique proven to assist individuals in processing and recovery from a wide variety of concerns such as trauma, disturbing life experiences, PTSD, and depression/anxiety.
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Please see Evergreen Therapy Center Website:
https://www.evergreentherapycenter.com/north-liberty-counselor-dawn-rechkemmer/
Athena
Therapy Dog in Training
Athena is the therapy dog (in training) for Guardian Training Service. Athena was rescued by the Iowa City Animal Shelter and was adopted by her handler, Pete Ungaro, weighing only 26 pounds. She was physically and mentally abused by her previous owner but is now thriving. Athena accompanies her handler to many trainings, critical incidents, peer support events, and other wellness activities. Research shows that therapy dogs help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Athena shows that animals, like people, can be resilient with the proper care and support. Resiliency is one of the keys to succeeding and living a happy and fulfilling life.
