Meet the Team
Chairman of the Board & Co-Founder
Ryan Romero
Ryan serves as Chairman of the Board for SafeNet Security Foundation, where he provides strategic leadership and oversight in advancing innovative security initiatives that protect communities, organizations, and places of worship. With a deep background in technology, cybersecurity, and physical security, Ryan brings a comprehensive and integrated approach to modern risk management and threat mitigation.
Professionally rooted in technology and cybersecurity, Ryan has extensive experience aligning digital security frameworks with operational and physical security strategies. His expertise spans cyber risk management, security architecture, threat prevention, and enterprise safety operations—bridging the gap between digital infrastructure and real-world protection.
In addition to his work in cybersecurity, Ryan serves as Pastor over Safety & Security at CCV (Christ’s Church of the Valley), where he leads safety and security operations across one of the nation’s largest church networks. In this role, he oversees security strategy, emergency preparedness, volunteer security teams, and physical protection programs—ensuring safe environments for thousands of attendees each week.
Ryan is passionate about building resilient security ecosystems that integrate technology, people, and process. His leadership at SafeNet Security Foundation reflects his commitment to safeguarding communities through innovation, preparedness, and strong governance.
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Kim Pederson
Kim Pederson serves as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of SafeNet. He brings more than 27 years of business and technology leadership experience, combined with 10 years of honorable service in the United States Army, where he developed a deep foundation in operational discipline, risk management, and mission-focused execution.
Following his military service, Kim built a career leading and executing complex business and technology initiatives across multiple sectors. His work has consistently focused on translating strategy into measurable outcomes, building high-performing teams, and implementing practical solutions to complex operational challenges.
Over the past four years, Kim has dedicated his professional efforts to the security industry, with a specific focus on protecting nonprofit organizations. Through SafeNet, he leads initiatives that help churches, schools, and other mission-driven organizations assess risk, adopt best practices, and implement effective measures to safeguard people, property, and critical assets.
Kim is deeply passionate about protecting those who cannot protect themselves, a principle that guides both his leadership philosophy and SafeNet’s mission. He is married to his wife, Angela, and is the father of two adult children, Angelina and Jasmine.
Board Member
Larrie Fraley
Larrie is founding officer of Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV), a multi-campus church with 18 locations throughout Arizona. For the past 26 years, he has served as Lead Global Outreach Pastor and Church Revitalization Director, demonstrating unwavering commitment to expanding God's kingdom both locally and internationally.
Prior to entering full-time ministry, Larrie served as Director of Technology at Intel Corporation for 19 years, where he led the company's Information Technology Centers worldwide. His eight years of military service in the U.S. Army further shaped his leadership capabilities, which he continues to apply as a Range Safety Officer for CCV's security team.
Larrie's ministry extends far beyond traditional pastoral boundaries. He has traveled to more than 80 countries in service of the Great Commission, building strategic partnerships and delivering keynote addresses on strategic planning at prestigious institutions including the University of Law and Politics in Xi'an, China, and the University of Beijing. His expertise in church revitalization reflects his deep understanding that healthy churches require both spiritual renewal and strategic leadership development.
As founder and past president of STARS Youth Sport, Inc., Larrie has created a global platform for ministry that serves over 25,000 youth athletes and 1,100 coaches annually. Since 2004, STARS coaches have traveled worldwide, teaching soccer while sharing the hope of Christ with disadvantaged youth in Africa and Latin America. Additionally, he founded StreetlightUSA, an organization dedicated to rescuing children from sex trafficking, addressing one of society's most vulnerable populations.
Larrie holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in biblical theology, and is currently completing his PhD in Practical Theology. His academic pursuits complement his practical ministry experience, positioning him as both scholar and practitioner in the field of church revitalization.
He and his wife Sheila have been married for 55 years and are blessed with two daughters, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. Their family's commitment to ministry is evident in the seven family members who serve as pastors, reflecting a multi-generational dedication to kingdom work.
Board Member
Jay Giesbrecht
Jay brings a diverse background in entrepreneurship, investment, and vocational ministry. As a founder and operator of small businesses in both Canada and the United States, he has hands-on experience in building organizations from the ground up, navigating cross-border operations, and leading teams through growth and change. In addition to founding new ventures, Jay has invested in and successfully restored an existing business, providing strategic oversight, operational improvement, and long-term vision.
Currently, Jay serves in vocational ministry as a Campus Pastor at a local church, where he leads teams, develops leaders, and supports community engagement. This combination of business acumen and people-centered leadership equips Jay to contribute thoughtful governance, strategic insight, and values-driven decision-making at the board level
Board Member
Sam Runnels
With over 25 years of combined law enforcement and security experience, Sam brings seasoned leadership, operational expertise, and a ministry-minded heart to the field of church safety. Sam has served more than 20 years in church security, helping ministries build environments where people can worship, serve, and grow in Christ with peace of mind.
His background includes advanced executive protection training, extensive firearms training, and specialized preparation in active shooter response and scenario-based threat management. Sam has developed and led teams through high-pressure situations, trained volunteers to serve confidently, and designed security strategies that support both safety and the mission of the church.
Sam is passionate about equipping the Body of Christ to protect one another with wisdom, humility, and excellence. His blend of professional training and ministry experience allows him to build security ministries that are not only effective, but also grounded in biblical care, servant leadership, and community stewardship.
Board Member
Sherwood Duhon, M.D.
With over 25 years of combined law enforcement and security experience, Sam brings seasoned leadership, operational expertise, and a ministry-minded heart to the field of church safety. Sam has served more than 20 years in church security, helping ministries build environments where people can worship, serve, and grow in Christ with peace of mind.
His background includes advanced executive protection training, extensive firearms training, and specialized preparation in active shooter response and scenario-based threat management. Sam has developed and led teams through high-pressure situations, trained volunteers to serve confidently, and designed security strategies that support both safety and the mission of the church.
Sam is passionate about equipping the Body of Christ to protect one another with wisdom, humility, and excellence. His blend of professional training and ministry experience allows him to build security ministries that are not only effective, but also grounded in biblical care, servant leadership, and community stewardship.