PRESENTING

P4P

SUMMIT

2025

Saturday September 13th

JCC Campus Auditorium 269 College Rd. Smithfield NC

  • Dr. David Griffin

  • Melissa Griffin

  • Lieutenant General Thomas Conant USMC Retired

SPEAKER LINE UP


Paddling for Pennies Presents

Dr. David Griffin

Critical Incident Resiliency & Leadership Seminar September 13th 2025

SPONSORED BY

Join us for an impactful seminar with Dr. David Griffin, Assistant Chief with Charleston Fire Department, respected leader in critical incident response, mental wellness, and organizational change.

A Charleston, South Carolina native, Dr. Griffin was the driver of the first fire engine to arrive at the devastating 2007 Sofa Super Store fire, a tragedy that claimed the lives of nine firefighters. In the months and years that followed, he was consumed by survivor’s guilt. Like so many first responders struggling in silence, he numbed his pain with alcohol, painkillers, and the brutality of professional mixed martial arts—nearly losing himself in the process.

He is a graduate of elite leadership programs at Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and the National Fire Academy, he trains organizations worldwide on breaking free from “the way we’ve always done it” culture to build stronger, more resilient teams.

His Find Your Mission Tour has reached over 500,000 people across 46 states and multiple countries, inspiring first responders, military members, corporate leaders, and communities to face adversity head-on. This event is for EVERYONE!

Dr. Griffin is a proud graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education while playing Division I baseball. He later completed a Master’s Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Development. In additions he is also an Amazon Best-Selling Author of four books, including In Honor of the Charleston 9 and From PTSD to PTG: A Firefighter’s Journey After a Multiple LODD Incident, sharing his deeply personal story of trauma, growth, and healing.

Dr. Griffin’s Publications

Don’t miss this raw, powerful opportunity to hear Dr. Griffin’s journey from tragedy to transformation—and his message of hope, leadership, and mental wellness for those who face the unthinkable.

 

Tickets: $25 | Sales Open July 15th

Lieutenant General Thomas L. Conant

United States Marine Corps, Retired

Tom Conant is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General and former AH-1 Attack Helicopter pilot with 43 years of distinguished service, including leadership as Deputy Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. He currently serves as a strategic advisor for leading defense and aerospace firms such as Lockheed Martin and Piasecki Aircraft, and sits on several advisory boards supporting military and defense initiatives. A graduate of Central Michigan University and American Military University with a Master’s in Defense Studies, Tom also completed executive education at Harvard. He remains deeply connected to the Marine Corps community and is a proud husband and father of two military leaders.

Melissa Griffin

Wife of David Griffin

After continuous inquiries, I've found myself ready to share.  To share my story, our story, in hopes to provide support, in one way or another, for anyone who may find themselves facing a challenging chapter in life as the spouse of an emergency responder.