Dennis Winkler
With a varied background in service to his country and his community, Dennis had the passion to become a co-founder of Zac's Ridge. From 1970 to 1974, Dennis served in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii aboard the U.S.S. Whipple (DE 1062). He served two deployments to Vietnam (1972, 1973). After 15 years away from military service, he decided to return to the U.S. Navy Reserve, changed rates to Master-at-Arms and secured E-5 pay grade prior to leaving the reserves in 1991. Dennis was a certified trainer for the unit to which he was assigned, and has continued to use this knowledge in difficult training venues.
From 1978 to 1999, Dennis was a police officer for the City of Richardson, Texas. He served 13 years as a motorcycle officer, 3 years as a patrol officer and 6 years as a crime prevention officer. He was also a trainer for the police department and assisted in the training of new and veteran officers in topics such as CPR, ethics and workplace sensitivity and diversity awareness. Additionally, he served as assistant executive director and then as executive director for the Richardson Police Explorer post, training teens interested in law enforcement. Dennis has also served as president of the Richardson Police Association for 6 years helping to establish a positive working relationship between the police officers,police administration and the public.
After retirement, Dennis found another way to serve and help others by participating in a Dallas based training program originally owned and operated by Dr Phil McGraw. He graduated in 1999 and continued to volunteer his time to serve as a Training Assistant and Team Captain for this innovative training program. Dennis saw people change their lives in a way he had never dreamed possible. He became a facilitator of one of the training sessions of this program as well as facilitating the program's Teen Camp during the summer months.
Dennis decided to focus his experience and knowledge as a trainer to help veterans and public servants such as police, firefighters and EMS by becoming a co-founder of Zac's Ridge.
Pennie Winkler
Pennie began her career immediately upon graduation from high school with the City of Richardson, Texas. From the beginning, she knew she wanted to pursue a career path in the fire department other than merely clerical duties. She wanted to make a difference. After permission from the Fire Chief and several months of negotiations she was allowed to apply for an dispatcher position. Pennie became the first person to receive a perfect score on the civil service exam for the position.
After seven years as a dispatcher, she was appointed to a supervisory position and was instrumental in forming the combined communications division with Fire, EMS and Police.
Pennie was appointed to the Dallas County 9-1-1 Committee which was charged with implementing the Emergency 9-1-1 System for Dallas County. Pennie completed her career with the City of Richardson Fire Department after 26 years with the position of Operations Supervisor which encompassed all aspects of the fire department communications, training of emergency communications for fire and EMS, inventories, computer networks and overseeing the Civil Defense Alert System for Richardson Texas.
Pennie has also been involved with her church by volunteering in several areas. She spent two years involved in the Teen ministry. During that time she attended several retreats with youths and worked closely with North Texas Unity Youth Ministry. She also dedicated two years on the Unity Discipleship Program which allowed her to be involved in lay ministry in the Unity Prayer Ministry.
From 1997 to 1999, Pennie worked for National Drug and Safety League, a 501(C)(3) organization. During that time she worked with police and sheriff departments throughout the United States to establish child safety and drug awareness programs within their communities.
In 2000 she began volunteering as a Training Assistant for a Dallas based training program originally owned and operated by Dr Phil McGraw. During her time as a volunteer she was awarded the Barbara Anderson award as Training Assistant of the Year by her peers. She was asked along with her husband Dennis to facilitate one segment of the program. She has served as a Training Assistant, Team Captain, Facilitator and Teen Camp Training Assistant during the seven years with this program.
With Pennie's desire and passion to make a difference in people's lives she began her new venture as a co-founder of Zac's Ridge.
Autobiography – Jerry MacGregor
On April 28, 1962 I was born into a bitter, out of control dysfunctional family. The youngest of 6 children, I was tortured in my circumstance. I could not understand all the harshness and hatred so prominent around me. From before I could walk, I was afraid for my life. I was beaten, abused and mistreated in ways no little boy should ever know. Life in intolerable circumstances distorts ones perspective. I trusted no-one. My home was a place to survive, endure and escape from.
Battling self esteem issues and depression was my life. While battling against death wish behavior and anger, I jeopardized my life, limb and freedom on many foolhardy occasions. As a young man, I was an angry high school drop out with no dreams and no direction. I survived and escaped, but for what?
After getting my GED, I went on to graduate with a BSEE. I found great value in my achievements and subsequent career. I became a very accomplished engineer and businessman. At last I could be proud of myself. I felt successful. So I ventured out of my lonely existence and met the love of my life, Veda.
Life was good. I was successful in my career and I was no longer alone. From rags to riches, I became an independent man with a loving family. Then, while I continued to conquer my career, my family went on without me. They had no choice. I was absorbed in my work which provided my value and worth. As my family was falling apart, my career was also falling apart. I stopped to find out what I wanted in life and why. As everything was crashing around me, I managed to keep what mattered. I kept my family.
The SOS training saved my life. After profound soul searching, I came to see myself as Christ sees me. Not as a man of achievements, but as a loving, compassionate man. As a former wounded spirit, I know the pain people inflict on each other is a product of their past hurts. We are all broken, and we are hurting each other. My mission is to help hurting people stop hurting people. The only way I know to do that is by helping people look at what has hurt them so maybe they can stop being hurt by their past. Only by breaking away from any bad legacies given to us can we move forward healing our spirit.
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