Advocating for First Responders: Health, Rights, and Beyond

Chris Meek

President

Chris Meek is co-founder, chairman and CEO of SoldierStrong, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that focuses on helping America’s servicemen, women, and veterans take their next steps forward. He has been recognized for his work in philanthropy with the President’s Call to Service Award (2011), March of Dimes Franklin Delano Roosevelt Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award (2012), Syracuse University’s Orange Circle Award (2014), the ACT-IAC “Game Changer” Award (2020), and was named a “Face of Philanthropy” by the Chronicle of Philanthropy (2021).

In addition to Meek’s work as a philanthropist, he has served as a financial services executive for over 25 years. He holds a BA in economics and political science from Syracuse University, an MBA in financial management from Pace University in New York City, and an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He is currently a doctoral candidate in organizational change and leadership at the University of Southern California.

Meek serves as an adjunct professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on nonprofit management and board governance. He shares his experiences and discusses resiliency, empowerment, and leadership through adversity on his weekly podcast “Next Steps Forward with Chris Meek” via VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network’s Empowerment Channel. More information can be found at www.nextstepsforward.com. In 2022, Meek released his first book Next Steps Forward: Beyond Remembering, The Power of Action.

Christy Warren

Secretary

Christy Warren is a retired fire captain from the Berkeley Fire Department in California. She has twenty-five years of service as a professional paramedic and eighteen years as a professional firefighter/paramedic. After being diagnosed with PTSD in 2014, she retired from the fire service; since then, she has become a triathlete, completed the Escape from Alcatraz swim five times, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Washington State University. She is a volunteer Peer at the West Coast Post-trauma Retreat and hosts the podcast The Firefighter Deconstructed. She lives in Pleasant Hill with her wife, Lisa, and dog, Harriet.

Andraus L. Williams

Treasurer

Command Sergeant Major Andraus L. Williams was appointed as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Camp Roberts Garrison Training Center in October 2020.  In this role, he serves as the principal military advisor on all enlisted matters affecting training, utilization, health of the force, and enlisted professional development.

A native of St. Louis, MO., Command Sergeant Major Williams enlisted in the U.S Army in September 1989, as a Field Artilleryman (13B). He received his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Sill, OK.  He served five years Active duty prior to joining the California National Guard.  He joined the California Army National Guard in May 1995, and completed his reclassification (31B) to the Military Police Corps.

In June 2014, Command Sergeant Major Williams was selected and assumed responsibility as the Command Sergeant Major for the 185th Military Police BN. In January 2016 he assumed responsibility of the 143rd Military Police BN (Detention).  In August 2018 he was appointed and assumed responsibility as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 49th Military Police Brigade.  His assignments include: Team Leader 670th MP CO, Squad Leader 870th MP CO, Platoon Sergeant 870th MP CO, Operations NCO 330th MP CO, First Sergeant 330th MP CO, Command Sergeant Major 185th MP BN, and Command Sergeant Major 143rd MP BN (Detention).

CSM Williams combat, and state side tours of duty include Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Katrina, Operation Jump Start (Border Mission), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).  As well as multiple wildfires and floods in support of FEMA Region IX Homeland Response Force (HRF) and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) throughout the United States.

Command Sergeant Major Williams awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (With Numeral 5), Humanitarian Service Medal, Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and Air Assault badge.  He is a recipient of the Order of Marechaussee Award. This award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a military policeman in the Military Police Regimental Association. It is named after the Marechaussee Corps, formed in 1778 at Valley Forge by Gen. George Washington to police the Army and secure fugitives.

Command Sergeant Major Williams military and civilian education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeant Course, Command Sergeant Major Pre-Command Course, Joint Professional Senior Enlisted course, Jungle Warfare Training Course (JOTC), and Emerging Leadership Development Program.  He is a graduate of class 41 (Non-Resident) U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. CSM Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Magna Cum Laude) from Arizona State University and a master’s in leadership and Community Engagement from The University of Texas at El Paso. He is currently pursing his Doctorate degree in Organizational Change and Leadership at University of Southern California (USC) (2024).

CSM Williams is a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society (Arizona State University Chapter), Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity (Upsilon Eta chapter), and the President of the Military Police Regiment Association (MPRA).

Major Williams volunteers his time as a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Mentor with Swords to Plowshares. He also volunteers his time as a mentor with minority college students interested in Law enforcement with the “Ask Jarrett” nonprofit organization.