Meet The Team

CEO

Mike            Salary: $0.00

Mike is a veteran of the US Navy Reserve and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of the Ozarks in Missouri. He has an impressive background, having served as a former Arkansas Sheriff and former Arkansas County Judge. Currently, Mike serves as the Administrator of a statewide agency in Arkansas.

During his tenure as sheriff, Mike demonstrated his leadership and tactical expertise as a SWAT commander, leading numerous high-risk warrant operations. He also represents Arkansas on the Regional Organized Crime Information Center Board, which encompasses 14 other southern states.

Since 2018, Mike has been actively involved in anti-trafficking efforts, participating in multiple operations in Central and South America. Additionally, he has a long-standing commitment to his community, having been married for 33 years and serving as a pastor in a church for three decades.

As Mike pursues his mission, he draws inspiration from Psalm 82:4, which urges "Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Founder and Board President

Alex            Salary: $0.00

Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and currently serves as a Sergeant in a municipal Police Department, bringing 15 years of Law Enforcement experience. Throughout his career, he has held various roles, including Patrol Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, S.W.A.T. Team Officer, Public Order Unit member, School Resource Officer, and Color Guard. Additionally, Alex has expertise in conducting Forensic Child Interviews for child abuse victims and collaborating with the District Attorney's Office on case screenings. In tactical environments, he has planned operations, executed search warrants, and utilized firearms and special weapons. Alex has also served as an Operations Manager and Coordinator in non-profit organizations, overseeing Latin American operations and establishing government relations in eight countries. Notably, he successfully coordinated and trained a team of over 50 undercover operators for child rescue missions.

Founder and Director of Operations

Walt            Salary: $0.00

Walt is a highly skilled investigator dedicated to combating transnational criminal organizations involved in child trafficking. His expertise encompasses investigative fieldwork, hostage rescue, fugitive apprehension, and small unit leadership. Walt has had the privilege of briefing Vice Presidents of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, as well as U.S. Ambassador Popp on behalf of NGOs fighting human trafficking in the Northern Triangle. He has also conducted extensive ground investigations in Colombia and Ecuador, collaborating with National Police agencies to infiltrate criminal networks. In 2021, Walt played a pivotal role in an award-winning Colombian human trafficking investigation.

Throughout his career, Walt has held positions such as S.W.A.T Master Operator, U.S. Marshal Service Task Force Officer, Police Sergeant, and U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant. Walt emphasizes the importance of continuous training, operational planning, and international partnerships between law enforcement, financial institutions, and NGOs in combating the human trafficking crisis in Latin America. Walt's language abilities in Spanish and Portuguese, along with his cross-cultural experiences, including a two-year Christian mission in Brazil and teaching the English Connect program in Ecuador, further enrich his perspective. Above all, Walt considers his greatest success to be his enduring marriage of over 20 years and the joy of raising children with his wife.

Founder and Director of International Development

Jose            Salary: $0.00

Jose holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Criminal Justice. He has served as a Physical Security Manager for the Department of Defense, collaborating with the Center for Disease Control and the Strategic National Stockpile Program. In this role, he focused on change management, recruitment, and policy compliance. Additionally, Jose has five years of experience as a Federal Police Officer and is a certified weapons instructor licensed by the Utah Department of Public Safety.

With a background in Executive Protections and Special Operations, Jose has provided protection details for celebrities, politicians, and athletes. During his time in the Marine Corps, he served as an NCO attached to the 7th Communications Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his service in the Philippines in 2006. Furthermore, Jose possesses medical expertise as a Marine Corps combat medic and in Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

For three years, Jose worked as a counter human trafficking undercover operator in Latin America. He successfully completed over 40 operations in Costa Rica, Colombia, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and various states in the United States. Jose is driven by a deep passion for leading undercover teams in foreign countries to combat and prevent human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Director of Intelligence and Marketing

Jeremy        Salary: $0.00

Jeremy brings 11 years of experience as an FBI Supervisory Special Agent, where he has played a pivotal role in leading major transnational organized crime investigations at FBI Headquarters. He has excelled in coordinating extensive cases involving international, federal, and local agencies. Jeremy's exceptional skills led to his appointment as the head of all FBI criminal enterprise investigations and as a liaison with the governments and law enforcement agencies of Mexico and Colombia. His expertise lies in leading transnational organized crime and international hostage investigations.

For two years, Jeremy served as an Operator/Team Leader, spearheading counter human trafficking investigations in Latin America. He possesses a unique ability to foster strong relationships with high-ranking government officials, confidential informants, and traffickers alike, enabling him to gather valuable intelligence and make significant progress in combating human trafficking.

Open Source Intelligence Analyst

Mary            Salary: $0.00

Mary holds a Masters degree in National Security and Terrorism Studies and is currently in the process of obtaining her PhD in Criminology. Her background includes serving in the US Army, working as a Victim’s Advocate for a law enforcement agency, professor of Criminal Justice and National Security Studies, and an active intelligence analyst. Her expertise in Open Source Intelligence and Intelligence Analysis comes from years of training and working in partnership with the FBI, DHS, state and local law enforcement and other similar agencies. She has presented at the International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference on multiple occasions, trained over 15 law enforcement agencies in the use of open source intelligence, taught courses on organized crime, human trafficking, and intelligence, and briefed state intelligence leadership on critical issues. Mary finds fulfillment in her career and in volunteering for the CIRF. When not working, she travels the world, reads voraciously, spends time with friends and loved ones, and nurtures her faith in God. In all her work, there is a quote she likes to remember. “ The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, Because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Theodore Roosevelt

Aftercare Specialist, Aftercare International

Monica  Zienkewicz           

Monica McIntyre Zienkewicz is a mother of four with a multicultural background. She has a
strong professional history, including working with Hyatt Corporation, launching an internet
startup in Argentina, and pursuing an MBA. Her passion for combating human trafficking led her
to a Master's in Counseling, specializing in trauma. Monica has worked with abused children,
volunteered with anti-trafficking organizations, and contributed to crisis services and suicide
prevention. She is certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, and she founded True
North Recovery Services, an addiction treatment center for adults and adolescents. Monica is
also involved in research on addiction treatment and speaks multiple languages. She enjoys
sports and international travel with her husband.

Aftercare Specialist, Aftercare International

Jani Dix

Jani Dix has always been passionate about serving others, which led her to pursue a degree in
Public Health Education. Her professional journey began at a residential treatment center for
at-risk youth, where she developed a deep concern for traumatized youth. She later worked as
a Rape Crisis Coordinator, where she encountered the issue of human trafficking. Jani joined
the fight against trafficking in 2015 as a volunteer, eventually becoming the Director of Outreach
for a global non-profit organization. She is currently pursuing a dual master's degree in Public
Administration and Social Work at Aurora University. Jani is dedicated to encouraging others to
engage in meaningful causes and is inspired by Mr. Rogers' values of love and compassion.
She resides in San Diego County with her husband and five children, where she enjoys running,
reading, writing, and spending time by the pool.

Contractors and Volunteers

Anonymous Operators

Salaries: $0.00

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Some Operators are paid max $300.00/day in the field, others volunteer their time and skills as service to the mission. Your gift is used on the front lines.

Children's International Rescue Foundation (CIRF) carries out its mission through a network of highly skilled professional operators who bring diverse backgrounds from various sectors including Law Enforcement, Military, government agencies, and the private sector. We deeply appreciate their selfless dedication and unwavering commitment to eradicating criminal organizations involved in child trafficking.

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As we pursue our mission, we are reminded of a powerful quote by William Bradford: "All great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage." These words inspire us to face the challenges head-on and to approach our work with unwavering determination and bravery.

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