MEET THE TEAM
NSVAP has contracted some of the top advisors in the nation in the sector of school safety and assessment. Our professionals are available for custom consultations and advice on how to better secure your students and staff in a rapidly changing world.
Evelyn Cahalen
Retired Police Commander
-Policy and Physical Assessment Lead
Evelyn Cahalen is a retired Commander with the Montgomery County, Maryland, Police Department, with over 35 years of experience in the law enforcement profession.
During her tenure in Montgomery County, she had various assignments to include Public Information Officer, Internal Affairs Division commander, Family Crimes Division commander, and District Commander. She has taught ethics to police recruits and In-Service training, as well as with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Community Policing Institute. Evelyn has taught at the community college level, and has been a guest instructor for the Police Executive Leadership Program of the Johns Hopkins University.
Since retirement, Evelyn has continued her work in law enforcement, working with the National Sheriffs’ Association conducting nationwide training on the National Neighborhood Watch Program to both law enforcement and community members. She has worked with the Community Safety Institute in Dallas, Texas, facilitating school safety training to administration and staff to include emergency preparedness, school vulnerability assessments, and active-shooter preparedness at primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions, as well as conducting organizational assessments of law enforcement agencies. Evelyn has worked with Native American communities assisting them in developing community policing strategies with federal and tribal law enforcement.
Evelyn has been an instructor for the Pennsylvania State University Justice and Safety Institute since 2009, conducting training for first-line and executive level supervisors and managers on topics including police ethics, executive leadership development, media and public relations, strategic planning, organizational development, liability, Field Training, and first-line supervision. She is an independent contractor for the United States Department of State Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program assisting executive level police managers from partner nations in developing effective responses to terrorist threats.
Evelyn is a Peer Reviewer for the US Department of Justice COPS office, conducting grant reviews, as well as pre-publication reviews of resource documents.
Evelyn is certified in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), commercial and residential crime prevention, as well as a certified anti-terrorism instructor in the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training program, US Department of Justice.
Evelyn holds a Master of Science degree in Management and Community Development from the Johns Hopkins University Police Executive Leadership Program, in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from the American University in Washington, DC.
Herbert Cahalen
Retired Detective
-Policy and Physical Assessment Lead
Herbert C. Cahalen is a retired Detective with the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department, having served over 28 years in the law enforcement profession.
During most of his law enforcement career, Detective Cahalen worked as a Narcotics Investigator, and a Detective in the Repeat Offender Section conducting undercover investigations of violent career criminals. During his tenure he was a member of the Northeast Region Robbery Conference, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force, and the Metropolitan Washington DC Council of Governments’ Task Force.
Mr. Cahalen has extensive training and experience in surveillance techniques. During his tenure as an undercover detective, he was responsible for the surveillance photography of criminal offenders both during and after their criminal activities.
Since his retirement from the police department, Mr. Cahalen has worked with the Community Safety Institute in Dallas, Texas, conducting both physical plant inspections and staff training for school vulnerability assessments. Mr. Cahalen has trained both Civil Air Patrol staff and students, and school administrators and staff on addressing and responding to active shooters.
Mr. Cahalen has extensive training in staff inspections both as a member of the police department and through his position in Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Cahalen is certified in all levels of Incident Command through the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
While a State Commander for Civil Air Patrol, Mr. Cahalen conducted leadership training at the Cadet and Senior level, as well as squadron, region, and corporate leadership. He is certified as a Skills Evaluator responsible for maintaining staffing and emergency services standards for Civil Air Patrol as required by the USAir Force and the Department of Homeland Security.
In addition to Incident Command, Mr. Cahalen holds national certifications in Basic and Advanced Communications and Interoperability, Search and Rescue, and Planning and Operations.
Mr. Cahalen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Kevin Parra
Retired US Navy Special Operations
-Policy and Physical Assessment Support
Kevin Parra retired from the US Navy’s Special Operations Community as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Senior Chief. His professional accomplishments include over 15 years experience within the Special Operations and Special Warfare contingent of the US Navy earning the qualification as a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. Kevin is a combat veteran having deployed to the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan numerous times. He has previously held certifications in Diving, Explosives handling, Military Free Fall Parachuting, and mission readiness of military personnel.
Kevin was born in the Pacific Northwest and lives with his wife outside Kalispell, Montana. He is an outdoor enthusiast and holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree with an emphasis in Public Safety Administration from Charter Oak State College, and a certification in Safety and Health Construction from the University of Washington.
Jim Riley
Consultant
-Business Administration, Communications & Operational Assistance
Jim Riley has spent his entire life saying yes to career changes and unique opportunities that align with his foundational values. Riley runs a successful, consulting business in Kalispell, Montana. Known for supplying value to clients by providing strategic recommendations, Jim Riley is known for smart strategic thinking, insightful operations, successful business growth and high-pressure transitions.
Jim is currently the host of two successful podcasts. “The Answer is “Yes” podcast features business leaders discussing both the power of saying “yes” and the decisions that made them successful. “The Liberty of Lose” podcast features local and national public figures discussing current politics and where the country is heading.
In addition, Riley actively consults for several successful companies and is known for helping businesses through transitional phases, marketing strategy, sales improvements, public relations, providing innovation and facilitating operational improvements. Riley oversees two of his own business and has an extensive background in marketing, food and beverage, and everything in between.
Well known work includes time spent with In-N-Out, Ketel One Vodka, Galardi Group, Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Azunia Tequila, and Baja United Group.
Jim Riley is a leading advocate for conservative political actions as School Board Trustee in Smith Valley District 89. He is a popular speaker about education, veterans, 2nd Amendment Rights, freedom of religion, small government, public land use, legal immigration, the constitution, pro- life, first responders, and the Save the Cowboy movement in Montana.
Jim Spillson
Sales Consultant
-Principal Consultant in the IT and technology solutions industry.
Jim Spillson is currently a Principal Consultant in the IT and technology solutions industry. Early in his career he specialized in engineering, project management, and customer support roles in the greater Detroit area. He has spent the past 16 years bringing value to advertising and marketing agencies and technology solution providers in the areas of digital project management, client engagement, and business development roles. Jim is recognized as a highly-organized problem solver who prides himself on delivering frictionless customer experiences, while building lasting and loyal relationships.
Jim currently resides in the greater Chicago area with his wife and two teenagers. He's passionate about personal growth, networking, entrepreneurship, and his kids' sports, and enjoys sharing his knowledge not only with his kids, but those open to learning.