Born and raised on the gulf coast, hurricane readiness was just part of everyday life for Phil and his family. After a combat deployment to Iraq and relief work in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, he found the Preparedness Community and dove deep into an entirely new level of insulating his family from life’s bumps in the road. Now, years later, he works hard to share everything he has learned along the way with others so that every person, every family, every community has the knowledge and tools to rally together against whatever comes their way.

Born and raised in Houston (although we don't hold that against her), Becks has been a first responder for nearly 15 years. As a Paramedic, being ready for life's difficult moments has become second nature for her. An adrenaline junkie at her core, she spent the majority of her career on first-in teams providing disaster relief to hurricane destroyed areas both in and out of the United States. Becks is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the goal of helping everyone be ready for life's challenges.

With over 15 years in the nonprofit world, Gillian has mastered the art of juggling mission-driven work with real-life preparedness. Whether it’s herbal remedies or ensuring her family is ready for anything, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the table—sometimes literally, if there’s a good foraging lesson involved! A passionate educator, she emphasizes emotional resilience because being prepared isn’t just about stockpiling supplies—it’s about thriving through challenges. In 2024, she participated as a guest speaker at the Women Who Prep conference, sharing insights on Prepping with Kids. From running nonprofits to running a household that’s always one step ahead, she’s proof that preparedness is a lifestyle.

A decorated deputy sheriff, Ross is no stranger to unusual situations that life throws our way. He's not only spent the past 16 years serving his community, but also training the next generation of law enforcement as a Field Training Officer. Ross has faced countless situations where being prepared was life saving not only for himself, but others. A natural instructor, he has joined Cypress Survivalist to share his knowledge.