Passionate Leader Cadre
Chief Matthew Wilson
Ret. Fire Chief Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson dedicated over 30 years of service to the Chester, Vermont Fire Department, where he led the construction of a new firehouse, oversaw the complete replacement of the apparatus fleet, and created the department’s swift water rescue team. In addition to his fire service career, he served the community as a police officer and spent 12 years in the U.S. Army.
Beyond his professional achievements, Matt is a husband, father of two, and proud grandfather. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and time at his camp in northern Vermont. Even in retirement, he remains actively engaged in advancing the fire service.
Deputy Chief Bob Glidden Jr.
Bob Glidden has lived and breathed the fire service since most kids were still figuring out baseball gloves and bikes. A 4th generation firefighter, he joined the Proctorsville Fire Department as a junior member at just 12 years old—and never looked back. Thirty years later, he has worn nearly every helmet the department offers, now serving as Deputy Chief and Head of EMS.
Bob’s leadership is defined by a simple principle: take care of your people, and they’ll take care of the mission. Under his guidance, Proctorsville Fire has defied the national trend of staffing shortages. Today, the department thrives with 27 active members and reliable turnout on every call, a testament to the culture he’s built.
His dedication extends beyond the fireground. For more than a decade, Bob has run the department’s junior firefighter program, mentoring the next generation and watching cadets rise to earn top state honors. In 2015, his work earned him the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award from the New England Patriots Foundation—a recognition of his commitment to service and community impact.
Outside the firehouse, Bob is a husband of 19 years to his wife, Rhianon, and a proud dad to two boys, ages 17 and 14. Whether it’s bass fishing, deer hunting, tearing up trails in his side-by-side, or catching a hockey game, he values time spent with family and the outdoors.
For Bob, the fire service isn’t just a calling—it’s a legacy. His career stands as proof of what can happen when passion, leadership, and community come together
Nate House
Nate House is a 24-year veteran of public safety who recently hung up the badge after an impactful career that spanned both law enforcement and fire service. He got his start as a police officer in a public safety department, where he quickly learned the value of versatility, grit, and leadership under pressure.
Throughout his career, Nate never stopped growing. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and is certified as a Fire Officer I, II, and III—credentials that reflect his deep commitment to training, leadership, and operational excellence. That same drive led him to launch In-House Training Solutions, a company built to develop stronger, smarter, more capable first responders from the inside out.
Now retired from the front lines, Nate continues to serve the mission by shaping the next generation through training and mentorship. When he’s not building better departments, you’ll find him outdoors, enjoying the peace and simplicity of fishing and camping.
Mike ” Stickers” Goldstein
Mike Goldstein has been in the first responder world for over 20 years, starting as a dispatcher before joining the fire service. He now serves as a career Firefighter/EMT in Derry, New Hampshire. He’s also a part-time state instructor with the NH Fire Academy.
On paper, Mike checks all the boxes—certified, experienced, and leading by example. But what makes his story hit harder than most is what he’s been through. Mike knows firsthand what it’s like to be crushed by a toxic firehouse culture. He’s been targeted. Isolated. Undervalued. But instead of folding—he rebuilt. He left the bad behind, found the right agency, and now uses his voice, his leadership, and his podcast—The CAN Report—to amplify stories of struggle, triumph, and truth.
He’s married to his bad ass wife Krista, who together are raising 15-year-old twin girls, and still finds time to promote leadership that’s grounded in self-growth, grit, and out-of-the-box thinking.
Keven McNeill
Dr. Keven McNeill brings 27 years of combined fire and law enforcement experience to the table. He started in 1998 as a junior firefighter with the Dayville Fire Company and later served as a police officer, graduating from the 298th Connecticut Police Academy class.
In 2016, a violent on-duty assault led to a PTSD diagnosis that ultimately ended his policing career. In 2022, he returned to the fire service, not just to serve—but to lead the charge in changing how first responders deal with trauma. Today, he’s a speaker, author, and the founder of a peer support group focused on PTSD awareness, suicide prevention, and mental health in the fire and military communities.
Keven’s mission is personal. His wife is the coordinator for their support team, and their two sons—ages 15 and 17—are both junior firefighters, with the oldest already setting his sights on going full-time. Their future fuels his fire.
Armed with a doctorate and a master’s in Emergency Management, Keven also holds certifications in crisis intervention and ASAP. Outside the job, he’s an ultra-marathon runner, therapy K9 handler, and relentless advocate for breaking the stigma around mental health.
Keven’s message is simple: leadership starts with vulnerability, and no responder should ever walk alone.