Executive Officiers

Fred Behrens:  Co-founder and President

After a career in police work concluding with the Police Chief in Hammond and the defensive coordinator of the Hammond Clark football team.  Besides being the Co-founder of CAASH CHARITY, he also founded “COPS ADOPT” in Hammond and has assisted with many other charitable organizations. Fred takes over the Presidency starting in year 8 (2024-2025).

Gary Ridgley:  Co-founder

A 40 year career teacher including 32 years in Hammond and 7 in Henderson, Nevada, Gary taught math and coached 4 varsity sports while at Clark.  Inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 he has authored 7 books.  Although assisting in several charitable organizations this is his first as a Co-founder.

Jen Klapak: Secretary

A Teacher at St. John The Babtist, is also the Volleyball Coach at Whiting High School

Milan Kruszynski: Treasurer

After serving as a Trustee from the beginning, Year 8 sees Milan take over the role of Treasurer.  A long time Department Head in the City of Hammond he brings great knowledge of finances to the charity.

Don Bachmann: Social Chairman

Retired from teaching since 2005 and has been traveling the US and Abroad since. A 30+ year Math teacher with the last 29 at Clark where he also coached boys and girls Tennis. He will bring his outgoing personality to the job with the charity.

Jan Dirindin: Vice President

As an Athletic Director at one of the local schools, Jan brings a vast array of knowledge for the job of finding Sponsors and helping Fred with the fund raisers for the Charity.  She now works for the Hammond Marina.

Senior Advisors

Dale Ridgley-  A career minister who has now taken on a position as an English teacher in Arkansas.  The trainer and special teams coach at Clark and East Chicago in Indiana, Dale also coached Girls Basketball and Softball at Clark.

Randy Ridgley-  A career IT guy, he now works for Amazon as a Solutions Architect and is our IT GUY

Dan Kazmierski- A Federal Government employee by day,  however most of his adult life has been doing volunteer work in some capacity.  His bio has several volunteer positions including working with FEMA on the “Sandy” and “Harvey disasters and a decade with Major League Baseball.

Manual Amezcua- The CEO and Managing Partner of MASS MUTUAL GREAT LAKES.

Abe Rivera:  After several years a Trustee, Abe made a move to Missouri for work and felt he needed to move into the Senior Advisor role for a while.

Pat Montalbano: Since turning over the reins of the Presidency after year 7, he will continue on as a Senior Advisor and PAST-PRESIDENT role

Ryan Ridgley, Chris Ader, Steve Ridgley, Greg Erminger, Jerry Bales, Bill Barany, Eric Grigson

——————————————————————————————-

Original Executive Board Members:

Jim Blair, Fred Behrens, Steve Ridgley Gary Ridgley, Milan Kruszynski and Pat Montalbano,