The Team
Who We Are
Cynthia Garfold
Founder & Executive Director
Cynthia has been in the volunteer side of the public safety arena for over 30 years. She started out as a ground volunteer and moved up to canine handler/trainer before starting Western PA Search and Rescue Development Center. As the Executive Director, she became a Community Emergency Response Team Trainer and certified as an instructor for Lost Person Behavior. She holds an Extra Class License as an amateur radio operator and in 2010, became PA Emergency Management Agency Commonwealth Auxiliary Communication Service Officer. She developed safety programs for the special need population in the state of PA and Operation: Take Me Home is now in most parts of PA. She accredited the curriculum with the PA Department of Health to teach Law Enforcement, Paramedics, and Fire Fighters how to locate and approach and bring to safety the special need population that wanders. She currently oversees the Operation: Take Me Home program which is an Emergency Response System for the at-risk population.
412-646-6416
Daniel Bac
Chief Financial Officer
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412-646-4449
Matthew Mitcheltree
Sales and Marketing Director
Matthew has been at the forefront of serving others for over 30 years. From serving as a representative of Jim Henson Productions in International Licensing and Marketing/Public Relations, or Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida in Guest Relations, Matt's passion and love for all of humanity has been invaluable in promoting the growth of Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center.
412-646-2615
John T. Pryle
Director of Emergency Services
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412-646-2816
Tracy Pampena
Director of Missing Persons
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412-646-2770
Cheri Bolling
Director of
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412-646-2816
Trevor Reed
Director of Emergency Communication
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412-646-2816
Elysia Groschwitz
Director of Therapy Service
As a volunteer with Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue, Elysia is not only dedicated to helping with Missing Persons cases, but also provides mental health services for those affected by disasters within the community to help individuals recover and utilize their existing coping skills to promote resiliency.
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Elysia is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties and works with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, grief and loss, life transitions, and family conflict.
412-646-2816