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PORTLAND, OREGON – – After two years of service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Gary Blair (retired) is completing his term with the Spirit of Blue Foundation. During his term, Blair oversaw the largest growth in revenue and corresponding set of grant awards in the history of the Foundation. Most notably, he directed the launch of the Foundation’s annual membership program, the Friends of the Foundation program of higher level donors and increased partner relationship with Law Enforcement United. He played an instrumental role in strengthening the Foundation’s position financially and administratively, which also led to a record number of saves during his tenure.
“The over-riding perspective that Gary brought was a care and concern for the well-being of individual officers,” shared Ryan T. Smith, Executive Director of Spirit of Blue. “I am sure that was reflected in his service as a police chief, and it has driven us to grow and expand our program to where we will have provided grants in all 50 states by the end of 2020.”
“Protecting our nation’s law enforcement in each and every state is the foundation’s key goal,” stated Chief Gary Blair. “It is so important in these critical times that we stand united in support of the law enforcement community.” Though leaving the board, Blair will remain as an advisor to the Board as well as an annual Blue Member of Spirit of Blue.
Gary Blair will be succeeded as Board Chairman by Dale Stockton who was recently voted onto the Board. Dale is a veteran of the law enforcement community, having retired at the rank of Captain with the Carlsbad (CA) Police Department. He taught criminal justice for 20 years, served a term as a California POST Commissioner and helped launch Law Officer Magazine as its editor-in-chief through its first decade. Most recently Dale served as the Executive Director of Below 100, a non-profit national training effort formed to eliminate preventable line-of-duty deaths and injuries among police officers.
“Spirit of Blue is an incredible organization and has made a real difference for many agencies across the country,” commented Stockton. “I am honored to assume this role and provide my support in their efforts to deliver needed equipment and training.”
Dale Stockton will be focusing his term as Chairman on engaging new corporate partnerships, expanding the Foundation’s annual membership program and exploring new program opportunities to benefit the safety of officers nationwide.
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Photo Caption – Dale Stockton, veteran of the law enforcement community, will begin his term as Spirit of Blue’s Board Chairman on May 21, 2020. He is succeeding Chief Gary Blair (retired) who oversaw the largest growth in the Foundation’s history.
About The Spirit of Blue Foundation
The Spirit of Blue Foundation is a non-profit public charity dedicated to the enhancement of officer safety and vitality throughout the law enforcement community by promoting public awareness for their protection and fulfilling safety equipment and training needs. The Spirit of Blue Foundation raises funds through non-profit partnerships, its own annual membership program and by leveraging relationships and donations with safety equipment manufacturers. Funds are distributed in the form of Safety Equipment and Training Grants to law enforcement agencies across the country from local to federal levels. Spirit of Blue is based out of Portland, Oregon and since 2011 the Foundation has awarded 113 grants in 41 states.
CONTACT:
Ryan T. Smith
Spirit of Blue Foundation
(585) 662-9032