Gary Phillips's Story

Join us in recognizing our Pit Boss Hero of the Month, Gary Phillips!

He’s known for his passion for serving others through his work in law enforcement and woodworking. Gary is a retired police officer who dedicated 36 years to both the city of Toronto and York Region Police in Ontario.

If you ask Gary, one of his biggest challenges to help those in need was during his time spent at Ground Zero in New York City following the attacks on the World Trade Center. As a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Gary and several members on the team spent time with first responders offering peer support.

For Gary, woodworking became an escape from the stress of the job.

Now retired, Gary has purchased 50 acres on the North Shore of Nova Scotia where he has started a retreat for Police, Fire, EMS & Military members diagnosed with PTSD. 

As a survivor of PTSD himself, Gary shares his passion of woodworking with others to help create a happy, positive learning environment where they can be creative. Those who participate in the Rough Cuts program start by falling a tree and processing the lumber, then they design a project and use their lumber to bring it to life.

At the end of a day spent working at Rough Cuts, Gary enjoys sharing a meal with those he loves. His favorite meal to make with his Pit Boss is breakfast for his family, friends, or visiting first responders, officers, or military members.

Gary says, “The more food I can get on the grill, the better the taste, the more satisfied the hungry bellies. And that’s what it’s all about.”

Thank you for your service, Gary!

Mark Davis's Story

We would like to recognize Lieutenant Mark Davis as our August Pit Boss Hero of the Month!

After serving as a firefighter for over 25 years, Mark is now retiring. He was nominated by his crew, and they say: “Lt. Davis has always had a passion for the job, whether it is putting out a fire, or rescuing someone from a car wreck, he is always ready to serve his community.”

Throughout his career, he has taken part in technical rescue, swiftwater rescue, truck work, and more. His team says Mark’s knowledge and skills have helped the fire department get to where they are now. 

“The camaraderie and brotherhood in the fire service is like no other,” crewmembers say. “Lt. Davis is always willing to teach the younger generation firefighters his knowledge and continue the traditions and values that make the fire service great.”

During his time at Station 3, Mark and his crew began a new tradition that they called "Smoke House Saturday and/or Sundays." So, if they were on shift over the weekend, they would smoke meat, enjoying everything from briskets to wings.

Thank you for your service, Mark, and congratulations on your retirement!

Kevin Cochrane's Story

This month's Pit Boss Hero is a member of the Canadian military with more than two decades of service. Join us in recognizing our July Hero of the Month, Kevin Cochrane! Kevin has served in the Canadian military for more than 22 years, and currently serves at the 17 Wing in Winnipeg Manitoba. I started as an infantry soldier and served in that field for over 8 years with a tour in Afghanistan in 2006, Kevin said. He's now a Search and Rescue Technician (SAR Tech) with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Kevin has been a SAR Tech for the past 14 years and has taken part in many rescue missions. I chose to be a SAR Tech for the adventure, to help those in need, and to serve my community and country, he said. Kevin has served his country for his entire adult life and is said to be a dedicated father and husband, always putting the needs of others ahead of his own. In his free time, he can be found behind the grill serving up steaks, ribs, and burgers for his family and friends. I love to have big backyard BBQs with the whole family, playing outdoor games and eating good BBQ, he said. Thank you for your service, Kevin!

Ronald Schott's Story

Join us in recognizing our Pit Boss Hero of the Month for June, Ronald Schott! Ronald was assigned to the 6949th ESS at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska from 1985 to 2004. He served as a crewmember onboard RC-135V/W RIVET JOINTaircraft as an Airborne Maintenance Technician (AMT). Over his 20-year career as an AMT, he was deployed in support of numerous operations, such as Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Enduring Freedom. Throughout his career, he earned 5 Air Medals and 13 Aerial Achievement Medals and amassed over 2,000 combat flight hours. If you were to ask Ronald why he chose to serve, he'd respond simply: Love of the United States of America and the United States Constitution. He says it's his commitment to his country, the United States Air Force, the RIVET JOINT program, and his family and friends that kept him going. Ronald is also quite the skilled pitmaster. In his free time, he enjoys serving up delicious food for his friends and family. The best experience I had was when my neighbors came over to enjoy a smoked rib dinner, he said. They raved about the ribs, saying they were the best tasting and most tender they ever had. Thank you for your service, Ronald!

Charles Carey's Story

This month's Pit Boss Hero is a first responder with a passion for barbecue and helping others. Join us in recognizing our May Hero, Charles Carey! Charles has served the past 7 years as a firefighter, paramedic, and hazmat technician in Florida. I chose this career to help people, he said. I felt that by choosing this career, I'm helping make the world a better place. If I can treat every person with kindness, hopefully the kindness begins a trend and carries on to others. And that isn't something Charles just says his work in the field backs it up. In fact, he has been awarded a Medal of Valor after saving a woman's life during a house fire. I'm always an advocate for the patient/victim, and I continuously treat every civilian as if they were my own family member, he said. When he's off duty, you can typically find Charles firing up the Pit Boss to cook for family and friends. He's also quite the active competition barbecuer. Charles has competed with the Steak Cookoff Association and in the World Championship of steak cooking in Ft. Worth, Texas. He's earned the nickname of the Steak Guy among his peers. Since then, he has also taken on multiple cooking competitions with his Local 3169 Union for fundraisers, winning a King of the Wing competition and a recent Chili Cook-off. Cooking helps me decompress and provides me with the satisfaction of making others happy in normal situations, rather than what I can do during life-or-death situations, Charles said. Thank you for your service, Charles!

Steven Kitchens's Story

We would like to recognize Steven Kitchens as our April Pit Boss Hero of the Month! Steven has served for more than 12 years as Combat Engineer in the Army, currently stationed at Fort Leonard Wood as he completes his instructor duties. I chose to be a Combat Engineer due to the diversity of the equipment we use and to ensure our brethren have a safe route to travel so they are able to accomplish their mission, he said. Steven has deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan. It was during his third deployment that he earned a Purple Heart. I still battle with PTSD, although I try not to let the experience control my life, Steven said. I'm thankful to have such an amazing support system that encouraged me to continue my military service. The most rewarding experience I have from serving is the opportunity to make an influence in other people's lives. When he isn't working, Steven can be found throwing down delicious food on his Pit Boss. He loves to grill and smoke meat, vegetables and sides, but his favorite things to make are pizza and burgers. The flavor and juiciness are unbelievable, he says. Thank you for your service, Steven!

Katelynn Sheehan's Story

Pit Boss Nation, please join us in celebrating our March Pit Boss Hero: Katelynn Sheehan! Katelynn is an accomplished and dedicated volunteer firefighter, NREMT, mother, and dog groomer. She was nominated by her husband, who says she works in a roughly 200 square mile service district. Katelynn has served six years in Public Safety Diving for rescue and recovery and two years as a firefighter and NREMT. As for what makes her stand out from the rest, her husband says it's her dedication to her community and her love of service and helping others without expecting anything in return. She goes above and beyond any other volunteer firefighter/EMT that I have ever seen, he said. I've gotten to witness her patient care and dedication to each individual regardless of what the circumstances are. When she isn't working as a first responder or with her dog grooming business, Katelynn enjoys spending time with her family and gathering around the grill. In fact, she loves to grill and exclusively uses her Pit Boss pellet smoker! She and her husband are part of a competition team in South Dakota called Backdraft BBQ, and they love to fire up their Pit Boss year round! Last year, Katelynn took home top honors for her smoked pulled pork recipe in a Backyard BBQ Competition. Thank you for your service, Katelynn!

Ramsey Millsap's Story

We would like to recognize TSgt. Ramsey Millsap as our January Pit Boss Hero! Ramsey recently celebrated 10 years of service as an Air National Guardsman. He began his career as an Aircraft Electrician working on KC-135 Stratotankers for the 161st ARW Copperheads at Sky Harbor, Arizona. He has also worked on C-130s and MQ-9s for the 152nd High Rollers in Nevada. TSgt Millsap serves in the Air National Guard because the broad impact that it has on the state and nation. He loves working with people and empowering them to perform missions like national security in Washington DC, operation Allies Welcome receiving refugees from Afghanistan, civil unrest response in downtown Seattle, global airspace monitoring through the Western Air Defense Sector, and many other major efforts that are undertaken by the 194th Washington Air National Guard. When he isn't working, Ramsey is known for smoking delicious meals for those at the 194th Mission Support Group. He's spent many hours of his own time to lift their spirits by cooking up delicious things like brisket and pulled pork. He takes pride in getting things just right so that people can sit and enjoy a meal together, serving up plenty of briskets, ribs, pulled pork, and more. Every year around the winter holidays, their unit gets together to celebrate. In 2021, Ramsey volunteered to cook all the meat for the group to not only feed all the members, but also their families as well. Thank you for your service, Ramsey!

James Bain's Story

Join us in honoring our December Hero of the Month, James Bain! James is a U.S. Air Force veteran who was deployed all over the world. Following his retirement from the military, he began working for Customs and Border Protection. He spent 21 years in that role, for a combined total of 41 years serving his country. As for why he decided to pursue this profession, James said he did so out of pride for his country and a desire to protect its people and their freedoms. Even in his free time he works to give back to his community by serving as a member of the Lions Club, a non-profit organization that organizes fundraisers to provide scholarships for area students as well as turkey baskets and box fans for those in need. Every Sunday, James says he like to grill using his Pit Boss Austin XL. He also enjoys smoking racks of ribs and turkeys for Thanksgiving. Thank you for your service, James!

Matt Young's Story

Our November Pit Boss Hero of the Month has dedicated the last 18 years to serving his community as a law enforcement officer. Matt Young is a deputy for the Warrick County Sheriff's Office in Southern Indiana. Throughout his career he has been a patrolman, narcotics detective, school resource officer, and a field training officer. He was nominated by his wife who says Matt works hard and makes sacrifices to help keep his community safe. Matt chose this career out of a desire to make a difference in the area where he grew up, which is where he and his wife now raise their 3 children. Matt is currently assigned to a school district, where he serves as a school resource officer. Recently, while on duty, he saved a child from choking at school. Each day when he reports to work, he never knows what the day will hold. However, his wife says he always rises to the occasion. When he isn't working, Matt loves to spend his free time grilling with family and friends. He especially enjoys grilling for both of his sons' baseball teams. Thank you for your service, Matt!

Bill Schnippert's Story

This month's Pit Boss Hero is an active member of Pit Boss Nation and retired law enforcement officer. Join us in thanking Bill Schnippert for his service! Bill is a retired sheriff who worked for more than 3 decades for the Jacksonville Department of Corrections. He's known for his love of helping others. The person who nominated Bill said, He wanted to be a nurse, fireman, or police officer. At the Department of Corrections, he got to be all 3. That desire for serving others and helping out in his community didn't end with retirement. Bill carries that spirit of service with him into his day-to-day life by giving back to those who share a similar interest. Bill was nominated by a founder of a social media group for Pit Boss owners, where Bill has been a moderator. He's on multiple Pit Boss platforms with the goal of spreading his knowledge with others. He's always willing to lend a hand, answer questions, or address concerns every day. Others describe him as a Pit Boss guru! Bill loves to fire up his Pit Boss 700FB and smoke various meat cuts. But his favorite is turkey, as he is known to smoke 2 or 3 each month for his family to enjoy. Very fitting, since he loves the Thanksgiving holiday and celebrating with those he loves. (Especially with a smoked turkey!) Thank you for your service, Bill!

James (Jay) Howell's Story

We're proud to announce our September Hero of the Month is LTC James (Jay) Howell! Jay serves in the U.S. Army working as a Civil Affairs Planner, interacting with host nations and communities that deal with conflict. He began his 24-year career as a Carpenter/Masonry Specialist and eventually made the move to Civil Affairs Planner with the goal of doing something that he felt would help those who are impacted by conflict. This is a fitting career for Jay, since the friend who nominated him for this honor described him as an inspiration to stay strong when times get rough, going on to say that he has an optimistic nature about him. When he isn't working, Jay enjoys spending time behind the grill making food like steaks and burgers for his wife and 2 children and any friends and family who stop over to enjoy a meal with them. As for his all-time favorite grilling experience, Jay would say it was tailgating on the back of his truck, grilling hot dogs while A-10's were flying overhead in Fort Benning, GA. Thank you for your service, Jay!

Charlie Lee's Story

We are proud to announce the Pit Boss Hero of the Month is Army Veteran Charlie Lee! Charlie has lived a life of service, dedicating 30 years to serving in the Army. This includes combat tours in the Vietnam War, where he was a Platoon Sergeant, and the Gulf War, during which he was a First Sergeant. When Charlie concluded his service, he was a Command Sergeant Major. If you ask him what inspired him to join the U.S. military, he says he was following in the footsteps of his family members. Both his grandfather and father served, and his father earned the Silver Star Medal. It just seemed like the natural thing to do, Charlie said. Now that he's retired, Charlie regularly carves out time to spend by the grill, serving up family favorite meals for those he loves. In fact, he says he fires up the grill about once a week in the winter and multiple times a week in the summer. As for what's on the grill, Charlie can typically be found grilling up salmon, ribeyes, or hamburgers for loved ones in Omaha, where he lives with his wife, Mickie. Thank you for your service, Charlie!

SSG Heartley's Story

Pit Boss Nation, join us in honoring our June Hero of the Month: SSG Hartley! This hero was nominated for his selfless attitude both at work and at home. He served as an Army Ranger and re-enlisted 3 years ago, now serving as an SSG in the National Guard. His selfless service reflects why he is a hero in my eyes, said his wife, Jennifer. He has always put others before himself and helped so many. He followed in his brother's footsteps in enlisting in the military. There is a saying that Warriors aren't born; they are made, and this is exactly why he chose to be in the service, Jennifer said. Unfortunately, he lost his brother in action in 2008. When off duty, he can be found behind the grill. Brisket is his go-to, but he plans to start making beef jerky for when he's out in the field. The best part for him is the time spent with family, gathering around the grill. He loves cooking for his friends and family, Jennifer said. He loves watching the kids giggle when he's throwing eggs up in the air or making chocolate chip pancakes and acting like we are all on a cooking show. He says that's the best part of making food is watching the kids have a good time. Those who know him say his attitude and willingness to put others first are what makes him a hero in their eyes. He is a great leader and has proven that throughout his years of service and continues to proudly serve to help others, she said. Thank you for your service, Hartley!

Mario Aldaco's Story

A career in law enforcement has been the dream of our Pit Boss Hero of the Month ever since he was a young boy. We're proud to announce Mario Aldaco of Austin, Texas, as the April Pit Boss Hero of the Month! For as long as he can remember, Mario always told his family he was going to be in law enforcement one day. I always believed in law, he said. But receiving recognition was never the driving force behind that goal. Instead, his focus was on helping victims of violence because he saw many people who experienced that as he was growing up and he wanted to be a voice for them. While this work has always been his dream, it didn't come without sacrifice. Time after time over his 29-year career he has given up time with his own family to uphold his commitment to serve and protect. Mario doesn't claim to be a grill master, but when he does get some free time to get behind the grill, he enjoys serving up tasty food for those he loves. One of his best experiences was trying his hand at grilling a duck. He said it was a great experience because everyone enjoyed the flavor and how it came out, in addition to the memories from those precious moments spent with family and friends. Thank you for your service, Mario!

Alex McKenzie's Story

Our March Pit Boss Hero has dedicated more than 6 years to serving as a police officer in Michigan. Alex McKenzie was nominated for this honor for his selflessness both on and off duty. Becoming a police officer has been a lifelong dream for Alex, who works with the Monroe Police Department. Those who know him say he goes above and beyond his regular duties when he's on the clock to be there for the community he works in. His passion is helping and serving others, and that translates into his role as a road officer with the police department. Alex always aims to learn more and do more, which is why he is also part of the Accident Investigation team, serves as a community officer for his department, and volunteers with the non-profit organization Humanizing the Badge. Alex has also taken classes for Critical Incident Stress Management and has been a part of a Critical Incident Response Team that has been responsible for debriefing with multiple departments after traumatic or critical incidents. When he isn't in uniform, you can find him firing up his Pit Boss to grill or smoke for his friends and family. He took up this hobby to decompress and take his mind off the job. He now shares his love of grilling and smoking through his Instagram account Stuttering Blue BBQ. Alex has the Pit Boss KC Combo, which he says offers the best of both worlds and features a flat top option to cook on. He also loves having the Tailgater so he can take his hobby on the go for family trips. His love of serving others shines through when he cooks, as the best part of any grilling experience for Alex is sharing what he's made with those he loves.

Ben Gainer's Story

Our February Pit Boss Hero is known for his upbeat attitude and dedication to serving his community In fact, if you were to ask those who know police officer Ben Gainer, they'd tell you his positivity is unmatched. Whether he just wrapped up a long nightshift or has spent 10 hours by his smoker, he's always happy and it shows. Becoming a police officer was Ben's dream from a young age and was finally realized in 2018. He has served in this capacity in Pennsylvania for about 4 years. He's described as a man who is dedicated to his job and the community in which he works. Although the job for him can be dangerous at times, he never complains and is always upbeat. When Ben is off duty, he can be found pursuing another one of his passions: grilling and smoking. He has always enjoyed cooking, but he really took it to a new level over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it's rare to find an off day in which he doesn't have one of his Pit Boss smokers fired up. Ben says he loves cooking for others and seeing their reaction the first time they taste one of his creations. This fall I had my platoon over for a cookout and smoked ribs and a pork butt, Ben said. By the lack of food remaining, I knew it was a success! Thank you for your service, Ben!

Melissa Jenkins's Story

Gathering with loved ones around the grill is the favorite pastime of our January Pit Boss Hero Melissa Jenkins.

Jenkins knew she wanted to join the military her senior year of high school, with the goal of pursuing higher education.

Jenkins graduated asic training on her 18th birthday. Her six years of active duty included stints in Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, and Germany and deployment to Kosovo and Iraq.

Her military occupational specialty (MOS) was carpentry and masonry, and she was an E4 Specialist when she left the service because of injury. Jenkins now works as a graphic designer at Dansons.

Going through what I went through makes me a better person, more disciplined," Jenkins said of her military background. She says her fiance is the one who can typically be found behind the grill.

The couple enjoys grilling steaks - complete with the Pit Boss chophouse steak rub - and making pizzas on their Pit Boss PB820 XL.