Our vision
Thrive in Chaos
The outcome we train for: clear thinking and purposeful action when everything around you is not.
Our mission
Train Resilience. Build Judgment. Serve Those Who Need It Most.
Our values
- Leave your ego at the door.
- Be honest with yourself and others.
- Make the tough decision, the correct decision.
- Purpose before self, always.
Mission, vision & values
What we stand for.
Our vision
Thrive in Chaos
The outcome we train for: clear thinking and purposeful action when everything around you is not.
Our mission
Train Resilience. Build Judgment. Serve Those Who Need It Most.
Our values
- Leave your ego at the door.
- Be honest with yourself and others.
- Make the tough decision, the correct decision.
- Purpose before self, always.
Our story
The space between knowing and doing.
Resilience is drilled into elite military units. The same tools were largely unavailable to everyone else facing high-stakes decisions.
RETI works in the space between knowing and doing, where excuses, pressure, and stress undermine good intentions. Our approach is prevention: training people before a crisis, tailored to the roles they serve in.
The digital expansion of this proven model is the next chapter.
Our history
From a university course to a national mission.
2011
The framework
RETI's Mission Based Resilience (MBR) framework was developed by Dr. Naggiar in 2011, originally as a university credit course for the Florida Department of Corrections at Florida State University. It was built with the intention for everyone, regardless of background or life circumstances, to effectively use it.
2013
Bay County SWAT
In 2013, Dr. Naggiar noticed a great need right in his own community and began offering his time and expertise to bring MBR to the Bay County, Florida SWAT team, a cutting-edge application at the time. MBR's proactive, holistic approach to stress has earned recognition at the state, regional, and national level, drawing interest from agencies nationwide and abroad.
2018
RETI is founded
In 2018, after witnessing MBR's success firsthand, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford asked Dr. Naggiar to adapt the curriculum for incarcerated adults, leading to the founding of RETI.
2018onward
A cornerstone of the Lifeline Program
Since then, the Resilience for Incarcerated Adults Program has become a cornerstone of Bay County Jail's Lifeline Program, impacting 450 participants and growing, while averaging about 3 onsite classes per year.
2026today
Who we serve
RETI serves law enforcement, first responders, incarcerated populations, and anyone else navigating high-pressure environments. This work is for anyone facing high-stakes decisions every day.
2027next
Going digital
RETI begins moving the curriculum onto a digital platform, aiming to reach one million justice-involved individuals by 2031.
Our founder
Dr. Ed Naggiar
Founder · CEO · President of the Board
Dr. Edoardo “Doc” Naggiar holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, focused on performance under stress. He spent a 20-year U.S. Navy career as a SEAL officer across three units, and served as a human test subject at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit.
His work led him to one conclusion: resilience requires integrating the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. He has consulted for law enforcement, corrections, fire and emergency services, 911 centers, disaster response, the military, legislators, nonprofits, and corporations. Participants simply call him “Doc.”
20-year Navy SEAL officerPhD, I/O Psychology25 validated resilience toolsAuthor, The Suit & The SEAL
Make the tough decision, the correct decision.
Governance
Strong leadership. Strong governance.
RETI is governed by a board and advisory council spanning military leadership, corrections, nonprofit scaling, and finance.
Hali Naggiar · Chief Operating Officer · Vice President of the Board
Leads operations, program infrastructure, and implementation planning; manages enterprise-wide strategic initiatives for Commander, Navy Installations Command.
Stephanie Patton · Chief Strategy Officer · Secretary of the Board
Oversees governance, organizational administration, and strategic initiatives; Strategic Analyst supporting Department of War quality-of-life programs.
Jim Curry · Board Member
Retired U.S. Marine Corps logistics officer; former Department Chair, Defense Acquisition University; certified Enterprise Chief Risk Officer.
Strategic Advisory Council
Colin McKee · Brian Conroy
Partner with us
Become a founding partner in scaling resilience.
Philanthropic capital is the bridge between a proven idea and a national movement. Your partnership doesn't fund an idea — it funds a future already in motion.
Now · 2026–2027
Fund the Build
Converts an established in-person program into a scalable digital asset: curriculum conversion and initial platform integration. A one-time cost that creates a sustainable model.
Next · 2028–2031
Scale What Works
Bridges the funding gap between growth-stage expansion and sustainable scale. Once that infrastructure is built, the model sustains itself.