NCS Bergen County

Sami Asaad is the President of NCS Hartford and serves on the NCS National Board. He is also a Partner at Pierson Ferdinand LLP, where he practices labor and employment law with a focus on healthcare staffing and home care organizations. Sami’s story is one of profound personal transformation. Externally, his life reflected success: rising from living on welfare with his mother in a roach-infested apartment to earning a full scholarship to college, attending law school, marrying his wife, and building a family. Internally, however, Sami struggled deeply with fear, sin, guilt, and shame, feeling increasingly disconnected and hopeless. Through a series of God-ordained events, Sami experienced a decisive breakthrough that set him on a path toward true freedom. As he came to understand God’s love for him and his identity in Christ, that initial breakthrough grew into lasting freedom, peace, and joy. Today, Sami is passionate about sharing his story in the hope that other men will encounter the same freedom he has found. Sami earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from Ramapo College and his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. He was recognized as a Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2013 to 2017 and was named a “Connecticut New Leader of the Law” by the Connecticut Law Tribune in 2015. Sami lives in Hamden, Connecticut, with his wife, Jessica, and their five children.

Ray left his career as a program manager within the pharmaceutical industry to pursue God’s calling to bring healing and freedom to people experiencing inner turmoil. He and his wife Maureen are Certified Professional Coaches (CPC) and Assembly of God ministers. As the founders of Radiant Leadership Group, they design courses and workshops to lead the anxious and weary into peace and purpose. Ray and Maureen co-authored their powerful book Uproot Anxiety – How to Remove the Root Causes of Your Anxiety and Cultivate a Life of Peace.

For twenty years, Bill Paige was a policeman and detective in and around New York City. He served fourteen years as the associate chaplain at Children’s Village, where he worked with emotionally disturbed boys in the city. He has also served 10 years in senior leadership of Young Life. He is a certified trainer for “Therapeutic Crisis Intervention” involved in areas of emotional and behavioral issues among young people. Paige now serves as Special Assistant to the President of Young Life. An ordained minister, Paige speaks frequently at chapel services for National Football League (NFL) teams, including two opportunities to speak at the NFL Pro Bowl.

Chaplain (Colonel) Dave Bowlus, born in Toledo, Ohio, was commissioned in the U.S. Army in May 1993 as an Armor Officer from the United States Military Academy. He went on to serve as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion S-4 and Battalion S-1 in assignments at Fort Carson, CO, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, and Fort Knox, NY. In 1998, Chaplain Bowlus resigned from active-duty service to attend seminary at Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY. Returning to active duty in 2002, Chaplain Bowlus served as the chaplain for 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, HAAF, GA; Chaplain Recruiter, Fort Meade, MD; Regimental Chaplain 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Moore, GA; Instructor at the US Army Religious Leader Academy, Fort Jackson, SC; United States Office of Military Support, Fort Belvoir, VA; Division Chaplain for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY; Senior Mission Command Chaplain of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Chaplain (MSCoE), Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Command Chaplain Eighth US Army and United States Forces Korea (USFK), Camp Humphreys, South Korea; Command Chaplain of United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Fort Liberty, NC; and Command Chaplain for US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), Fort Liberty, NC. He currently serves as the USMA Chaplain at West Point, NY. CH Bowlus’ military schools include the Armor Officers Basic Course, Chaplain Officer Basic Course, Chaplain Captain Career Course, the Command and General Staff College, Jumpmaster School and the Dismounted Armor Scout Course. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (7), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (7), and Army Achievement Medal (5). He has earned the Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, Instructor Badge, and Gold Badge recruiting award. He has a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary, a Master of International Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Alliance Theological Seminary. Dave and his wife, Meridee, have been married for thirty-one years and have two children, Andrew (26) and Savannah (20).

Ray Milazzo is a long time member of the NCS family going back to the Indian Trails days.In his 45th year as a practicing Chiropractor, Dr.Ray has been able to share his faith in a quiet way with many thousands of patients. He also has been to give many presentations to groups on many matters regarding physical, mental and spiritual health. Dr. Ray will share his life story of how he's been a follower of Jesus since the age of 7, and how faithful the Lord has been during ups and downs of his 68 years! Ray was an Elder at West Side Presbyterian Church which he attended for 30 years and now attends Cornerstone Christian Church, where he teaches Sunday School. Ray is a father to four girls, and grandfather to two granddaughters. Ray has a couple of relatives very close to the NCS family, including his brother Barry, and his nephew Kurt Schwarz. He looks forward to sharing with this group, which has meant so much to him.

Dave Szott spent 35 years in the National Football League, beginning in 1990 with the Kansas City Chiefs and ending with the NY Jets in 2025. A graduate of Penn State, Szott started 171-of-177 games over 14 seasons with Kansas City (1990-2000), Washington (2001) and the Jets (2002-03), earning consensus All-Pro and All-Madden recognition in1997 and received the Ed Block Coverage Award twice, once with Kansas City and again with the Jets. Following his retirement as a player, Dave spent the following 17 years as the assistant offensive line coach (2004-05), team chaplain (2006-07) and his most current as director, player development. As director, player development, Szott oversaw a number of NFL programs, including Players Assistance, Continuing Education, Financial Education and Career Development. Working with Bryce Bevill, the player development department also looks to set up every Jets player up for success before, during and after the player’s football career, providing resources to grow, both personally and professionally throughout their player experience, along with transition training for NFL rookies. Dave’s accolades continued after his playing career was over.  Szott was a key figure in the smooth transition and relocation of the entire Jets organization to the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Summer 2008.  He was awarded the Player Development Award in the area of Player Assistance that year - the first rookie player development director to be so honored. Szott was also awarded the 2009 Player Assistance Award. In addition, Dave was given the 2014 Most Valuable Player Award by the Executive Board of the Phil Simms New Jersey All-Star Football Classic, which is given to NFL players that had great careers and continue to promote football at the youth, high school, college and professional levels. Outside of his career Dave is active in helping those with special needs.  While in Kansas City, Szott and his wife, Andrea, started Szott for Tots, a foundation who’s mission is to bring awareness to the special needs community. Szott is on the Board of Directors for the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a school and medical center for special needs children and adults located in Peapack, NJ.  Andrea Szott, Dave’s wife, now serves on the Matheny Development Committee, as well as the Matheny Parent Advisory Committee. Szott also serves as special advisor and coach of the Morristown Wildcats Football Club, where he is consulted on coach and player code of conduct guidelines.  He also helped establish a playbook, practice plans and coaching clinics for the football club coaches. Within the past year, Dave and his partner founded an organization entitled Alpha International Outfitters.  He and his partner host hunters and non-hunters in Spain, providing “once in a life-time” experiences, either hunting big game and/or touring traditional sites and cities. Originally a native of Clifton, NJ, Szott and Andrea, along with their sons, Shane and Joshua, reside in Morristown, NJ.

Preston Poore is a dedicated corporate leader with a storied history at The Coca-Cola Company and further expertise honed at The Hershey Company, Ralston Purina, Dale Carnegie Training, and AmSouth Bank. As the founder of Preston Poore & Associates, LLC, and a Certified Maxwell Leadership Team Speaker, Trainer, and Executive Coach, he seamlessly blends leadership excellence with Christian principles to empower leaders and organizations. His tailored coaching, speaking engagements, and leadership training are designed to inspire ethical leadership and elevate influence in the workplace and community. As a Colson Fellow, Preston is equipped with an understanding of a biblical worldview to be a redemptive influence in the marketplace and beyond. As a board member of Christ Led Communities, he champions the development of men into passionate Christ-followers within small, collaborative groups. He is also the author of the acclaimed “Discipled Leader” and “21 Days to Sound Decision Making,” using his platform to mentor individuals in effective leadership and decision-making. In the defense sector, he shapes the future as a minority shareholder and board member of Numerica Corporation. Preston’s academic foundations include an MBA from Samford University and a BS in Management from Colorado State University. Preston and his wife live in the Metro Atlanta Area, where they live out a commitment to service and leadership in every aspect of their lives. Learn more at prestonpoore.com.

Major Kornelis “Korky” Vander Ploeg (Retired), enlisted in the New Jersey State Police in December of 1977. During his tenure with the NJSP he was assigned first as a road duty uniformed trooper serving in the rural communities of Sussex County, and then later served in a highway patrol capacity on both the busy interstate highways that connected into and out of New York City as well as toll road duty on the Garden State Parkway. Later in his career he served in the Executive Protection Bureau, providing security for three different Governors: Thomas H. Kean, James Florio and Christine Todd Whitman. After the 9-11 terrorist attacks, he was assigned to supervise the NJSP support team that assisted the Port Authority police with security at Newark/Liberty International Airport, the George Washington Bridge, and the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. He finished his 27+ year career with the NJSP in the Administration Section rising to the rank of Major and was part of the NJSP Command Staff from where he retired in July of 2005. After his retirement, Vander Ploeg entered the corporate world, going to work for Prudential Financial where he provided security to the Chairman and CEO. He retired from Prudential as Executive Security Director in April of 2020 and continues living in northern New Jersey with his wife of 46 years. He and his wife attend Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff, N.J. where he has served as a deacon and elder and is currently part of the worship team. A graduate of Eastern Christian High School, Korky holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Rockland Community College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from William Paterson University.

Prior to launching his “Speaking on Joy and Happiness” venture, Geoff was the co-founder of eMarketer, a New York-based company providing data, analysis and insights on all aspects of digital marketing and ecommerce on a global scale. In serving his various roles at eMarketer for over two decades, Geoff quickly became sought-after as a dynamic motivational speaker within the digital marketing industry. Geoff is also co-author of a book, Digital Impact: The Two Secrets to Online Marketing Success (Wiley & Co.) In his former careers, he was an advertising executive for over 15 years working in New York ad agencies, as well as a professional magician performing close-up and stage magic. Geoff was not raised on religion growing up, but after having an existential crisis in his mid-twenties, he found Christ and began his spiritual journey which has led him to where he is today. Geoff lives in Allendale with his wife Kim and they have four children.

Chip Skowron’s life has spanned the heights of professional success, the depths of personal failure, and the redemptive power of a transformed heart. A physician-scientist by training, with both an M.D. and Ph.D. from Yale and surgical training at Harvard, Chip went on to a prominent career in finance as a hedge fund manager. It was at the height of his success when, in a moment, the trajectory of his life permanently changed. An investigation into a suspicious trade led to a criminal indictment and a public fall from grace. In that season of complete isolation and humiliation, Chip found the New Canaan Society. Their embrace of his broken life and extraordinary, intentional friendship began to radically reshape his heart. Sentenced to five years in federal prison, Chip discovered the power of belonging to an authentic community, a power that penetrated those walls and transformed him. Since his release, he founded NCS-Inside and led organizations devoted to second chances and restorative community. Notably as a CEO of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program and serving on the Board of Directors of Prison Fellowship. Today, Skowron carries the authority of one who has lived both sides of loss and restoration, faith and failure, and who holds an unwavering belief in the power of a loving community to set people free. Chip lives with his wife in Greenwich, Connecticut with their two dogs and has four adult children. He attends Trinity Church in Greenwich, Connecticut and is an active member of the men’s Bible Study and local prison ministry.

Dan is married to his best friend Michelle Lazor. Together they have nine children: Isabelle, Danny, Manny, Nora, Karina, Lucy, Judah, and twins Addie and Andy. The Lazor family’s most meaningful experience was spending nine years serving with an International Christian School in Seoul, South Korea – an experience that has shaped Dan’s and his family’s outlook on many aspects of life and faith. Dan is originally from Scranton, PA, but to answer your question, no, he never worked at Dunder Mifflin. He is a huge sports fan, having played on athletic teams from the age of 5 through 19, and enjoys running now. His favorite teams are the ones his kids are playing on (and of course, EC!). The Lazors attend Emergence Church. Currently Dr. Lazor serves as the principal of Eastern Christian middle school in Wyckoff New Jersey.

Mike Latona is a Vice President and Account Manager in the Global Wealth Management team at PIMCO, a global asset management firm. He advises financial professionals across New Jersey, educating them on PIMCO’s economic outlook and portfolio construction ideas. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2010, he worked as a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial Services. He has 27 years of investment experience and holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Ramapo College of New Jersey and is a Certified Financial Planning professional. Mike is a loving husband to his wife Rose, father to Sarena, James and Sofia and grandfather to Roman. He is also a lay pastor at Bridgepoint church in Midland Park.

Pastor Anthony Fleming was born and raised Aussie, has a passion for God, people, and life. From the young age of 19, Anthony believed he was called to preach the word of God. He earned a tennis scholarship to Liberty University and represented the school during college while earning a Bachelor of Business of Science in Business Marketing. It was here that he also met his beautiful wife Miriam. They have 3 beautiful children and together they founded and currently serve as the Senior Pastors of Church Alive in northern New Jersey. From a basement with 8 people at the start of the church, Church Alive has grown to over 1300 people in attendance, and is known for its passion for God, love for people, and generosity in the community. Wanting to practically equip people to have a fresh, real, and powerful walk with God, in 2018, Anthony launched Transform. Through a dedicated focus to develop men, he continually sees to it that men find genuine faith and continue to get unstuck and flourish in all areas of life. What started as a men’s group at Church Alive grew in 2021, when Anthony Fleming released his first book, Transform. He is now the President of Transform the Movement and continues to coach leaders throughout the nation and empower men to rise up and transform their lives.

Lyman Good – UFC Fighter, Champion, and Founder of Good Theory Lyman Good, known in the fighting world as the “American Cyborg,” is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in Bellator and the UFC, holding titles such as Bellator Welterweight Champion and CFFC Welterweight Champion. Raised in East Harlem by his mother alongside two sisters, Lyman’s early years were marked by hardship and the absence of a father figure. His mother encouraged him into martial arts as a way to channel his energy, and under the guidance of his mentor, Shihan Schulmann, Lyman not only found discipline but also a purpose greater than himself—serving and mentoring others. With over a decade of teaching experience, he is committed to helping people grow stronger in body, mind, and spirit. In the gym, he brings intensity and high expectations, but always with a sense of trust and camaraderie. Outside the octagon, he founded the Good Theory movement, where he speaks vulnerably about his own battles with depression, loss, and the darkness he faced. Out of those struggles came a calling: to encourage others toward resilience, self-awareness, and hope. Today, Lyman continues to fight professionally while also investing in people as a teacher, coach, and mentor. His story points to the reality that even out of hardship and brokenness, God can bring redemption and use our lives to strengthen others.

William “Bill” Parker is an experienced CEO and board member whose leadership is shaped by both his military service and deep faith. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and serving six years in the Navy, Bill joined CACI International (NYSE: CACI), where he rose to Executive Vice President, overseeing business development and strategy. Driven by a desire to integrate faith and business, he left CACI to become CEO of Crosswalk.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMEN). Under his leadership, Crosswalk created the first Christian lifestyle web platform and was ranked by Nielsen NetRatings as one of the world’s most highly trafficked websites. Bill went on to guide transformative strategies for multiple organizations, serving as President of Parker Strategic, LLC; President of Kforce Government Solutions; President of Karta Technologies; COO of NCI, Inc.; COO of Salient Federal Solutions; and CEO of MCR. He continues to advise companies as a board member, while also serving in his church as a Bible teacher, elder, and mentor. His new book, Business After God’s Heart, draws on more than 20 years of reflection on the Psalms of David. In it, Bill shares how these scriptures shaped his leadership through seasons of success, failure, and trial, challenging business leaders to pursue God’s heart as David did. Bill’s talk will explore Psalm 27, where David, under the stress of leading a nation, identifies the “One Thing” his heart longed for. This foundational principle from David’s life offers timeless guidance for today’s business leaders.

For the last 50 years, David Bryant has helped millions of Christians worldwide explore and experience the wonders of the supremacy of God’s Son. Formerly a pastor, minister-at-large with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, president of Concerts of Prayer International (COPI), and chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, today David provides leadership to Proclaim Hope! and ChristNow.com, which have the mission of fostering and serving a nationwide Christ awakening movement. For decades, David played a widely visible role in the emergence of an unprecedented, worldwide prayer movement by building on citywide mass prayer rallies; organizing national and international conferences; creating training videos, seminars, and manuals; developing leadership coalitions; mentoring younger leaders; and sharing his message through books, radio, television, and podcasts. David and his wife Robyne live in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, and are the parents of three grown children, all adopted as infants from India.

Daniel Trolaro, MS in Psychology, is the Managing Director of Education and Fair Play for C360, a global sports betting and integrity monitoring company. Dan has worked with stakeholders in over 35 states and has delivered hundreds of workshops, trainings, and keynote presentations around the county centered on prevention, education, and emerging trends in the world of sports betting, gaming and internet gambling. Having started his journey of recovery from gambling addiction on Feb. 11, 2010, Dan has shared his story on the YouTube Channel, Soft White Underbelly by Mark Laila and co-hosts a 30 minute podcast and weekly radio show across the country called, "Hello My Name Is Craig" with fellow gambler in recovery and morning National TV host on Fox Sports, Craig Carton. Dan lives in Parsippany and has 3 children with his ex-wife.

Robert Skead is a Mayflower descendant and a Son of the American Revolution. He is also the author of several popular secular and Christian children’s books. Known for stories that whisk young readers away on thrilling adventures, Skead crafts tales that resonate with readers of all ages, celebrating a love of history, sports and personal quests. Rob’s storytelling especially shines through his American Revolutionary War Adventure series that he co-wrote with his father (making them his favorite stories). The stories are designed to nurture patriotism and inspire readers to do great things. Beyond his scope as a writer, Rob is also a dedicated advocate for literacy and the importance of fostering a love for reading at a young age. Through his school visits, workshops and speaking engagements, he shares his passion for storytelling with students, inspiring them to discover their own talents for a fulfilled life. Through these events, he speaks to more than 5,000 students per year. Additionally, for 23 years, Rob served as an affiliate and part-time staff member with Athletes in Action, ten of those years as team chaplain for the players on the New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer). In this role, he delivered weekly chapel messages, led Bible studies and organized outreaches for the players to use their platform as professional athletes to be positive role models to youth in our communities. Rob received his MA in Communications (Media Management & Film Production) from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. He is married to Susan and has three young adult children of his own and three bonus children as well. For more information, visit www.robertskead.com.

Hard work and serving others are no stranger to John, growing up in West Milford, NJ. His father instilled a passion for meeting needs in the community at a young age, waking him up every Saturday morning to do community service projects since he was 11 years old. After 6 years of flipping houses, 12 years serving as a youth pastor at Cornerstone Christian Church, and graduating college with an organizational management degree, John transitioned to a part-time pastoral role in order to step into a full-time position as Executive Director of Servant’s Heart Ministry. Since then, John’s been living out his passion for working with his hands, loving people, and seeing lives changed through the gospel. On his off hours you can find him ATVing or hiking with his wife, Tara, and four boys, Colby, Shane, Hunter, and Chase, or working on one of his many projects in his basement workshop.

Jordan Whitmer is the founder and CEO of the How to Life Movement, a global Gen Z-led Christian evangelism and missions organization. At just 16 years old, Jordan launched the first youth-led outreach event in his Arkansas hometown—an initiative that has since grown into a movement spanning 29 U.S. states and 11 countries across four continents. Now 26, Jordan continues to mobilize and equip young people to boldly share their faith, empowering them to lead outreach events and foster meaningful conversations about Christ with their peers. Under his leadership, How to Life has become a vibrant network of student-led chapters and events that are transforming communities through the power of peer-to-peer influence and the Gospel. Jordan speaks regularly around the world and collaborates with a global team of emerging leaders. He recently relocated to the New York City area to expand the organization’s impact and continues to be driven by a deep belief in the potential of Gen Z to lead their generation to Jesus.