oUR tEAM
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
ONE LIFE-SAVING MISSION
Our owners bring decades of law enforcement, crisis intervention, mental health, and personal survival experience to every training.
EXPERIENCE BUILT IN THE FIELD
TRAINING DESIGNED TO EMPOWER YOU TO SURVIVE
“The greatest resource of any organization is it’s people. Give them a chance to survive when the unthinkable happens” – Chad Sheehan
Owner / CEO
SHERIFF CHAD SHEEHAN
Chad Sheehan began his Law Enforcement career in 1994. On November 3, 2020 he was elected as the 34th Sheriff of Woodbury County, IA. Sheriff Sheehan has worked in multiple capacities throughout his career including the Hostage Negotiation Unit, Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, Community Policing Unit, Honor Guard member, and a Critical Incident Stress Management team member.
Sheriff Sheehan developed the “S.A.V.E. Yourself” program and is a certified instructor in Rapid Response to Active Shooters, Conflict Resolution, Tactical Communication, and DARE. Raising a family of five children with his wife Anna, Sheriff Sheehan has made surviving workplace violence/active killer a top priority in both his professional and personal life. “S.A.V.E. Yourself” has been taught to over 400,000 people from 31 states since January 2014.
Additionally, he has provided training in crime prevention topics to hundreds of businesses and schools while educating thousands throughout his career.
S.A.V.E. Yourself® Academy Inc. will use Chad’s expertise to provide training and consulting to civilians in the area of surviving violence with an emphasis on surviving the threat posed by workplace/school violence and today’s active killers.
Training will focus on prevention, recognition and a proactive response. Emphasis will be placed on the proactive response to violence.
“S.A.V.E. Yourself” is based on Dept. of Homeland Security’s recommendations for responding to a mass casualty incident: run, hide, fight.
Owner / President
Andrew Dutler
Andrew Dutler is a security consultant and business owner specializing in vulnerability assessments, workplace violence prevention, and organizational safety strategy. A retired officer with the Sioux City Police Department, Andrew brings eight years of law enforcement experience, including uniform patrol and service as the department’s Public Information Officer.
Through his work, Andrew has trained over 25,000 individuals across the healthcare, education, retail, office, finance, worship, and industrial sectors. His expertise spans active killer response, personal safety, crime prevention, tactical communication, and managing individuals in crisis. The strategies he implements have helped businesses, schools, and churches not only reduce the occurrence and perception of crime but also build a culture of confidence and empowerment within their teams.
During his law enforcement career, Andrew served on a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Team, where he acted as lead negotiator in multiple incidents that resulted in peaceful resolutions. His background also includes roles as a Deescalation Instructor, Mental Health Instructor, and S.A.V.E. Yourself® Instructor. He holds the CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) through the National Institute of Crime Prevention.
Prior to law enforcement, Andrew worked in mental health and substance abuse counseling. He holds a master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling and specialized for five years in residential treatment, focusing on environmental safety management and crisis intervention while working with criminal and addictive thinkers.
In addition to his work with the S.A.V.E. Yourself® Academy, Andrew is the owner of Ultimate Security Consulting, LLC, further expanding his ability to support organizations in strengthening their safety and security posture.
Owner / Vice President
Kevin McCormick
Kevin is a retired police detective, third-generation law enforcement officer, and an instructor for S.A.V.E. Yourself, where he empowers individuals and organizations with the survival mindset and practical skills to survive violent critical incidents.
On April 29, 2013, Kevin McCormick’s life changed forever when he was ambushed during a routine traffic stop and suffered a gun shot wound to his head. He survived the attack and transformed that experience into a lifelong mission to educate, empower, and prepare others for the unexpected. Today, he combines firsthand survival experience with years of law enforcement service to deliver training that is both practical and deeply impactful.
During his career with the Sioux City Police Department, Kevin earned numerous honors for his courage and service, including the Officer of the Year Award, Purple Heart Medal, ATF Honor Award, Western Iowa Tech Distinguished Service to the Community Award, and the Community Team Policing Award. He is also a certified Smith & Wesson Armorer.
Whether training schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, or community groups, Kevin’s message is simple: survival is rarely the result of chance—it begins with preparation, awareness, and a survival mindset.
CTO
Adam Dyess
Adam Dyess serves as Chief Technology Officer for S.A.V.E. Yourself Academy, where he plays a key role in bringing the nationally recognized S.A.V.E. Yourself training program to a broader audience through online education. After experiencing the training firsthand, Adam became a strong advocate for its mission and the importance of preparing individuals to respond to violent critical incidents. He oversees the Academy’s technology strategy, learning platform, technical infrastructure, video production, and overall user experience. His focus is on making the training accessible, engaging, and effective while developing future technology initiatives that expand the Academy’s capabilities and reach.
Adam has worked in website development and digital technology since 1999. He is co-owner of Web Funnel Express, a website design and management company, and has more than 17 years of experience in marketing, advertising, video production, and digital media. His professional experience includes marketing projects for Dickinson State University and Minot State University. He also serves as Chief Technology Officer for Hoanit, LLC, a training platform company. A graduate of Full Sail University, Adam earned a Bachelor of Science in Film and was named valedictorian of his class. His combined experience in technology, filmmaking, and digital learning brings a unique perspective to the Academy. Without a law enforcement background, Adam approaches the training from the perspective of the everyday learner, helping ensure the content remains practical, relatable, and easy to understand.
As a husband, father of two, and business owner, Adam understands the importance of protecting family, coworkers, and community. He believes everyone should have access to the knowledge and confidence needed to respond to dangerous situations. A lifelong learner and advocate for the positive impact of technology, Adam envisions S.A.V.E. Yourself Academy growing beyond a single online course into a comprehensive resource for ongoing education, training, and practical preparedness. His long-term goal is to help build an Academy that individuals and organizations can rely on to develop lifesaving skills and stay safer in their everyday lives.
