Raymond W. Kahle, Ph.D, Th.M, Director
Raymond is past President of the Sierra Nevada Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team located in Reno, Nevada. He is currently an instructor of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), and teaches classes in Individual Crisis Intervention; Peer Support; Pastoral Crisis Intervention, and Group Crisis Intervention. Raymond received his Ph.D. in December 2006. He works with law enforcement personnel, other first responders and our returning Military as a Traumatologist and chaplain in and around the Reno, Nevada area, as well as northern California. He is the director of Kindred Spirit Counseling. He also teaches the Incident Command System, a standardized system of emergency scene management, to local first responders and city administrative personnel.
Raymond’s area of passion lies with assisting those in law enforcement and Military personnel who have experienced on-duty crisis situations and career-related trauma. Prior to entering the chaplaincy field nine years ago, he devoted eight years in the Military (Southeast Asia Operations), 29 years with the Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of Energy (DOE), serving our Nation’s “National Laboratories” with emphasis in special operations. He also worked nine years as a reserve deputy sheriff for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. His experience provided additional responsibilities serving with the United States Volunteers - American (USV-A) as the Commander for the State of Nevada. Specific duties include Final Military Honors and Commanding the Community Services, which support transition, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) counseling.
His conviction towards the importance of PEER understanding led him to visit Iraq in 2009 and another trip in 2011.
Melinda (Mindy) Kahle, Secretary
Mindy is a retired police officer, having completed a 32-year career in law enforcement that included six years as a reserve officer and two as a District Attorney Investigator. Her assignments included, but were not limited to: 19 years patrol duties; sex crimes investigations; academy tac officer; hostage negotiator; canine handler; bicycle patrol, and cold case investigations. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Cal State Long Beach in 1978, and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State Northridge in 1994. She is trained in the Critical Incident Stress Management model and has taught the Incident Command System (ICS).
Mindy has been an active competitor in the California Police and Fire Games since 1979, focusing on track and field, and more recently has competed in the World Police and Fire Games. Mindy was employed as a part-time investigator for the Washoe County Coroner’s Office for several years, finding gratification in coming alongside families who lost loved ones. She was also an active member of the law-enforcement-specific CISM team for the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Daniel B. Paixao, B.S., Board of Directors
Daniel’s patriotism and concern for others began early in life and directed him towards serving a four-year enlistment in the US Air Force, at which time he received his Associate of Science Degree in Electronics. During this time he worked at Whiteman A.F.B. Missouri as a Missile Systems Analyst. After his discharge, Daniel he began his career in broadcast television as an engineering intern for a television ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina. While there he received an Associate of Science Degree in Video Technology at Heritage School of Evangelism and Communication. Shortly after the completion of his internship he moved to California to work for a local television station. During this time, he married his wife Christy, and continued his college education. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, from California State Hayward, in 1996.
Throughout his career as a Chief Engineer, his position has brought him alongside field photographers and reporters who cover traumatic events, sometimes at risk to their personal safety. His concern for the cumulative effects of human suffering on these professionals motivates him to find resources that will provide support to them to keep them productive in their careers. It’s Daniel’s desire that Kindred Spirit Ministries shall be such a resource even for those who cover events from a media perspective.
Daniel is currently working as a Chief Engineer for a broadcasting network. Daniel brings his expertise in cutting edge media and technological innovations to the ministry to help it expand across the United States and abroad to our first responder’s and military personnel.
Daniel lives with Christy and their two daughters in the tranquil State of Idaho. He has served on the board of Kindred Spirit Ministries since May 1996.
Janice Sharpe, M. A., C.B.C., Board of Directors
Janice is the Treasurer of Kindred Spirit Ministries. She is currently on staff at Grace Baptist Church, in San Leandro, California, and serves as a Pastoral Counselor, providing marriage and family counseling services since 1989. She is also a Deaconess at Grace Baptist Church and has served alternating terms for over the past twenty years.
Janice obtained all of her degrees from Dayspring University, with a focus on Pastoral Counseling: her Associate of Arts degree in June 1990; her Bachelor’s Degree in April 1997, and her Master’s Degree in October 2002.
She holds a certificate in Basic Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). She is a charter member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), which is comprised of over 50,000 members nationwide. She has a passion to help those who fight addictions such as drugs and alcohol. Her training has also led her in the discipline of Traumatic Incident Stress with its effects on our first responders and Military. Janice has been a member of Kindred Spirit Ministries since July 1994.
