Jonathan Farris has amazing insight about this public safety issue. At PursuitSAFETY events, the most common remarks about Jon center around his genuineness, understanding and kindness. Oh, yes, and always repeated are these words: "I so enjoyed talking with Jon."

Candy Priano, PursuitSAFETY's founder and executive director, nominated Jon to lead the organization's board of directors. "Jon is an accomplished insurance executive, understands legal issues and, most important, Jon appreciates that PursuitSAFETY is synonymous with family. We, like you, have a passion for protecting innocent bystanders and the people we love."

Jon is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is the owner of InsuranceRescue Services, LLC, a P&C insurance consultancy. During Jon’s 34-year insurance career, he has held numerous insurance management and officer positions for regional, super-regional, national and international insurers. He has extensive experience in both personal and commercial insurance, including underwriting, sales, marketing, product development, pricing, regulatory compliance, internal audit, system development, corporate communications, commercial loss control and premium auditing.

Jon's consulting clients have included managing general agencies, national independent agencies, insurance companies, FAIR Plans and partnerships with litigation teams as an expert witness.

Jon’s oldest son Paul was killed in 2007—the innocent victim of another unnecessary high-speed police chase. Since that time Jon has been an active advocate for changing police pursuit laws across the United States. Jon is also a cancer survivor and has been a mentor for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Visit PaulFarris.org to learn more about Jon's son Paul.

Mark Priano, secretary, provides a solid business foundation to the organization’s structure. Mark’s degree in business administration is from Valparaiso (Indiana) University, where he and Candy met. Candy refers to Mark as “The man behind the scenes.”

He is in account management with Fiserv Solutions, Inc., the leading global provider of information management and electronic commerce systems for the financial services industry, with more than 16,000 clients worldwide. Mark most recently served on the board of Champion Christian School in Chico, CA. In addition to being a founding board member here at PursuitSAFETY, Mark is the head coach of the Hamilton High varsity girls' basketball team, winning the Northern Section Division 5 title in 2011.

Jeffrey Vesely, treasurer, is a member of the American Society of CPAs. A graduate from Cal State University, Fullerton, Jeff earned his degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. In 2007, Mark and Jeff served on the board for Champion Christian School in Chico, California. Mark mentioned to Jeff that Candy had just founded an organization. Within days of that conversation, Jeff called Candy.

Candy says she will always remember Jeff’s phone call. “Jeff asked a lot of questions. Is PursuitSAFETY incorporated? Is it a nonprofit? Do you need help? Do you need help with the state and federal forms? Do you need a CFO?” Jeff did it all and never charged PursuitSAFETY for his time. We were incorporated in no time at all. Five months later, PursuitSAFETY received a letter dated March 28, 2008, from the IRS confirming PursuitSAFETY’s status as a 501(c)(3). Jeff also donates his time to PursuitSAFETY by doing our QuickBooks and taxes.

Candy Priano is the founder and executive director of Voices Insisting on PursuitSAFETY. Candy has spoken on the dangers of police pursuits and the increasing number of innocent people killed as a result of these chases for media outlets, civic and law enforcement groups, and educational venues. She has an open line of communication to people who experience the tragedy of pursuit. She responds to every email and phone call she receives from victims and family members left behind. For Candy, it began when a teenage driver fleeing from police T-boned the Prianos' minivan where her daughter Kristie was sitting. Candy, her husband Mark and son Steve were injured. Kristie died as a result of it. Candy's advocacy continues because each and every week police chases kill other innocent bystanders. She has spoken before California senate hearings on behalf of "Kristie’s Law," a proposed measure to eliminate unnecessary chases and allow chases for violent felons and Amber Alert suspects. Candy is an associate member of ALERT International (Association of Professional Law Enforcement Emergency Vehicle Response Trainers International), holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Valparaiso (Indiana) University, and is a member of Chico Toastmasters. Candy is a founding board member, began serving in 2007.

Brenda Ehrensperger also serves as PursuitSAFETY’s Team Leader for the State of Alabama. She has been a member of the organization since early 2008 and was one of those who requested that PursuitSAFETY’s mission be expanded to include tragic police response calls that, on average, kill at least 122 innocent bystanders and 37 occupants in the police response vehicle every year. Many other innocent bystanders are injured, some times receiving permanent, life-altering injuries.

Brenda has written articles for PursuitSAFETY’s website including The Steven Ehrensperger Story and If Only….

Brenda has worked for a nonprofit research and development organization since 1981. She serves on the Senior Leadership Team and directs all activities related to grant and contract administration for over $80 million in research funding per year. She is recognized for her knowledge of both federal contracting and grant regulations and commercial business practices.

Prior to her current position, she worked as an accountant after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Brenda has certifications in professional contract administration from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and the Society of Research Administrators. She is a member of the National Contract Management Association and Society of Research Administrators.

Brenda, like PursuitSAFETY, has a passion for protecting the most important people in our lives—the people we love. She plans to fulfill one of her goals by working with PursuitSAFETY to impact the thought processes of our law enforcement officials, especially young officers.

“Public safety should be the goal at all times,” Brenda says. “I believe we can prevent other families from going through the unrelenting pain and grief that my family has suffered needlessly. Most people are unaware that so many innocent people are injured or killed as a result of responder calls and police chases. Most people don’t think much about it— until it happens to someone they love.”

David Ehrensperger serves along with his wife as a volunteer in the Southeast Division. He has been a member of the organization since early 2008, after his son Steven was tragically killed in late 2007 by an officer responding to a potential prowler call.

David has been retired since 2010. Prior to that, he worked for twenty five years as an electrical designer in the utility industry and for eight years as an information systems technician at a nonprofit research and development organization.

David has an Associate’s Degree in Information Systems - Microcomputer Applications from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama.

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