We are a veteran owned company, and understand the roles, and responsibilities that go with each certification offered. Our lead instructors have performed or currently serving in the role of each certification offered.
Mission Statement:
The mission of Lone Star Leadership and its instructors is to provide high- quality training, at an affordable rate, and most importantly timely customer service to our members and students.
Meet our CEO and CTO :
John Sandrea
Chief Executive Officer/Chief Training Officer
His fire service career began 2003 with the Community Volunteer Fire Department, currently serves as a Captain with the Willowfork Fire Department and the former Fire Marshal for the City of Wharton. He holds multiple certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and is our Chief Training Officer for the organization.
Organizations: Community Volunteer Fire Department (2003-2022) Volunteer FF, EO, Lt, and Day crew FF. Cy-Fair Fire Department (2014-2018) Training Officer (Lt), HCFMO (2016-2018) Fire Inspector, Houston Fire Department (2007-2018) EO, Willowfork Fire Department (2018-Currently) Captain. City of Wharton Fire Marshal’s Office (2019 – 2020) Fire Marshal
Certifications: Master Fire Fighter, Master Fire Inspector, Master Investigator, Driver/Operator – Pumper/Aerial, Fire Instructor III – Master, Fire Officer IV, Incident Safety Officer, Incident Commander, Haz-Mat Incident Commander, Life and Fire Safety Educator II, Plans Examiner I
Training:
- Center for Public Service Excellence – Fire Officer Designation x 2
- Battalion Chief Development Program Graduate – Engine House Training, LLC
- Columbia Southern University – Field Chief Training Academy
- Columbia Southern University – Company Officer Academy
- Texas Fire Chiefs Academy Graduate – Certified Fire Executive
- Texas A&M Mays School of Business – Fire Service Chief Executive Fire Officer
- Sam Houston State University – Fire Executive Management Training
- State Fireman & Fire Marshal Associations – Fire Chief Development Program
- Certified Blue Card Incident Commander and Instructor
- Certified Emergency Medical Technician ID# 165716
- Certified EMS Instructor
- National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) Certified (100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800)
- Basic Public Information Officer (PIO) Course
Education: Associates in Fire Science from Houston Community College, Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, and Master of Science in Emergency Management from Columbia Southern University. Doctoral Student at Liberty University for Strategic Leadership.
Military Service: US Army Reserve (2003-2015) Military Police, Staff Sergeant.
Our Staff
- Alex Valadez – Lone Star Leadership Registrar (Avaladez@lonestarleadership.org)
- Micheal Garcia (E/O – Willowfork FD) – Lead Instructor/FE (Mgarcia@lonestarleadership.org)
- Master FF, Master Arson Investigator, Master Inspector, Fire Officer II Instructor II, D/O Pumper, Incident Safety Officer, Plan Examiner I
- Russ McAfee (Sr. CPT – Houston FD) – Lead Instructor/FE (RMcafee@lonestarleadership.org)
- Master FF, Fire Officer II, Instructor II, Incident Commander, D/O Pumper & Aerial, Fire & Life Safety Educator II
- Weston Barrett (D/O – Katy FD) – Lead Instructor/FE (Wbarrett@lonestarleadership.org)
- Intermediate FF, Fire Officer II, Instructor II, D/O Pumper & Aerial, Incident Safety Officer, Basic Wildland FF, Incident Commander, Hazmat Incident Commander
- Durward Cates (CPT – Willowfork FD) – Instructor/FE (Dcates@lonestarleadership.org)
- Advanced FF, Fire Officer II, Instructor I, D/O Pumper
- Gavin Arzola (FF – Rosenberg FD) – Instructor/FE (Garzola@lonestarleadership.org)
- Advanced FF, Fire Officer I, Instructor I, D/O Pumper
- Andrew Garcia – Fox (FF – Community FD) – FE (Afox@lonestarleadership.org)
- Intermediate FF, Fire Officer I, Instructor I, D/O Pumper/Aerial, Haz-Mat Technician