Staff
By uniting the community of Special Operations veterans with the world of marine science and conservation in one, mission-focused program, FORCE BLUE has created a model of caring, cooperation and positive change with the power to restore lives and restore the planet. Here are the folks who are making it happen every day.
Jim Ritterhoff
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Working as a professional writer for over 25 years, Jim has penned and directed award-winning advertising campaigns, screenplays, teleplays and documentaries. As Founder and Creative Director of NYC-based advertising and content production company Chowder, Inc., Jim wrote and produced the theatrically released feature film, Cayman Went and the children’s book, Tuke the Specialist Turtle. An avid SCUBA diver and lifelong environmentalist, Jim previously served on the Board of Directors of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) and was recently named “2019 Sea Hero of the Year” by Scuba Diving Magazine and the Seiko Watch Corporation for his work with FORCE BLUE.
Keith Sahm
COO, Co-Founder
COO, Co-Founder
Before Co-Founding Force Blue, Keith was General Manager of Sunset House in the Cayman Islands for over 20 years. He is an accomplished diver, strategist, hotelier, marketer & marine environmentalist. Offering a rare blend of creative and operational strengths, he is a former board member of the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) and the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Keith was one of the first to install coral farms in the Cayman Islands and co-founder of the island’s NGO “Save Cayman”. He has been a guest speaker at numerous DEMA events and was named “Diver of the Year” in 2015 by Beneath the Sea for his role in promoting SCUBA recreation, training, safety and advocate for the seas. In 2016, he was runner up for the Cayman Islands Governor Tourism Industry Conservation Award for his dedication and outstanding service for his commitment to the environment and was honored with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Diamond award.
Rodolfo “Rudy” Reyes
USMC Recon, Co-Founder
USMC Recon, Co-Founder
A veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Rudy served with distinction as a member of the United States Marine Corps illustrious 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and played himself in HBO’s Generation Kill, a miniseries based on the bestselling book by Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright. A graduate of the Marine Corps Combatant Diving, Scout/Sniper and Search, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) schools, Rudy has worked as a counter-terror contractor for the Department of Defense, trained African wildlife preserver rangers in anti-poaching techniques and, most recently, appeared in National Geographic Channel’s Ultimate Survival Alaska. Rudy is the author of Hero Living, which chronicles his warrior philosophy and teaches others how to follow it.
Angelo Fiore
Director of Diving Operations / Training Director
Director of Diving Operations / Training Director
A 10-year Honorably Discharged Veteran of the Elite US Navy Diving Community, Angelo is both a seasoned executive and experienced entrepreneur. He is the founder of The Fiore Service Group, an independent company that represents some of the largest sporting goods and sporting apparel manufacturers in the world. His skill in conducting small business analysis and developing growth, together with his long tenure of working inside the SCUBA industry, make him a valuable addition to the FORCE BLUE team.
Damien Massingham
Content Manager
Content Manager
Damien “Damo” Massingham comes to FORCE BLUE from Australia by way of New York, where for the past 15 years he has cultivated a highly successful career and well regarded reputation as a film editor. Damien holds an array of awards including a Cannes Gold Lion, a One Club Silver Pencil, and Gold @ London International Awards. He is widely known for his work on Japan’s famous Nissan Noodle campaigns, which received accolades four years running from the Asian TV Awards.
Patti Kirk-Gross
Diving Safety Officer
Diving Safety Officer
A 30-year Scuba Instructor for PADI, NAUI and SSI, Patti has maintained an unconventional career and lifestyle. Initially, as a Nevada State Administrative Law Judge, she determined the repetitive structure was overwhelming boring; this inspired her to travel throughout the world as diving professional. Relocating to the Florida Keys, she became embedded with the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF), which at that time a small grass-roots organization restoring the local corals reefs. She has spent the last 12 years installing coral nurseries, repopulating reefs with nursery-raised corals and designing diving specialty courses to educate and inspire Coral Ambassadors. Patti crafted their Dive Safety Manual and is their Dive Safety Officer. She serves on the CRF Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Also serves on the Board of Directors of the History of Diving Museum, a member of the Explorer’s Club, a SSI Platinum Pro 5000 recipient and an officer in Coast Guard Auxiliary 13-08. In 2016, she was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame and serves as a Trustee.
Patti is an AAUS Scientific Diving Instructor.
Will Hinkson
Director of Strategy and Advancement
Director of Strategy and Advancement
Will served as an E-5/Sergeant 5 years in the Marine Corps. He is the recipient of the Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was also a security contractor in high threat areas overseas. Will is also a very accomplished athlete and trainer. He was a competitive swimmer and distance runner in high school, teaching Special Olympics and giving swimming lessons as his high school job. His beliefs in fitness as a form of physical, mental and spiritual health led him to start a CrossFit affiliate at the Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan – the first of its kind at an Embassy anywhere in the world. He ran that for three years in Kabul before leaving to launch Huron River CrossFit in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Steve “Gonzo” Gonzalez
Special Projects / Events Director
Special Projects / Events Director
Master Chief SEAL(Ret) Steve “Gonzo” Gonzalez served with distinction for 34 years in the Navy, retiring in 2016. He is a combat veteran with multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm and numerous operations around the world. His awards include 2 Bronze Star for Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Valor, 5 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and various other Campaign Medals and Awards.
Gonzo is a native of New Orleans, LA and currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and daughter. He is formerly the Director of Operations for the SEAL Veterans Foundation and is currently pursuing his Masters of Arts in Strategic Studies as Norwich University as well as his role with FORCE BLUE.
Ray Reneau
Veteran Affairs Manager
Veteran Affairs Manager
Master Sergeant Ray Reneau, Director of Scuba Training, MBA, is a 20-year Active-duty Army member with multiple combat tours in Iraq. Ray began diving after receiving multiple injuries in Iraq in 2009. As a way to alleviate the pain from his injuries and cope with PTSD, diving was the outlet that provided him with a new beginning. After seeing how Scuba diving helped him, he realized he had a passion to help others that were dealing with similar things he had. In 2021, Ray developed a program that allows all Service Members to use their G.I. Bill® to get their NAUI Scuba certifications and Leadership licenses. In his free time, Ray also volunteers his time as the Director of Armed Forces relations and training for NAUI, The Course Director for Gold Stare Teen Adventures, and the Director of Scuba Diving Training for Force Blue.
Ozric “Oz” Sparks
Chief Morale Officer
Chief Morale Officer
Ozric Sparks is the son of our team member Roger Sparks. Oz has been a valued team member of Force Blue since our initial team training in the Cayman Islands in 2017. At a young age Oz was diagnosed with both Cerebral Palsy and Type 1 Diabetes. Oz has grown with our organization and taken part in numerous deployments and engagement over the years. Oz is a recent High School Graduate as well as a Cadre with our partners at GORUCK. Oz has continued to develop as a young man and team member recently earning his Open Water and Force Blue Assistant Diver Certification. Despite Oz’s challenges it is clear that he is a Warrior. He meets his difficulties with an infectious courage and magic that has defined our team.
Bob Whitney
Documentary Director / Editor
Documentary Director / Editor
Based out of Brooklyn NY, Bob has been working in the film industry for the past 16 years as a producer, cameraman, editor, and most recently as a director. His work includes documentary films, television series and commercial campaigns, that have filmed in locations across five continents. He has been collaborating with Force Blue since its inception in 2017, and is honored to be able to continue to share the story of Force Blue with the world.
Wallace J. Nichols, PhD
Marine Biologist, Author, Blue Mind Ambassador
Marine Biologist, Author, Blue Mind Ambassador
Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols — called a “Keeper of the Sea” by GQ Magazine, “a visionary” by Outside Magazine, a “water warrior” by AQUATICS International, a “friend of the sea” by Experience Life Magazine, and “the godfather of water” by Irish Life Health and Santa Cruz Waves Magazine — is an innovative, silo-busting, entrepreneurial scientist, movement maker, renown marine biologist, voracious Earth and idea explorer, wild water advocate, bestselling author, sought after lecturer, and fun-loving Dad. He also likes turtles (a lot).
Dr. Nichols collaborates tirelessly and artfully to create the new story of water and share it with the world. This story includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives.