Bob Moertle
Founding Member and President
Bob Moertle is the founding member and president of Frontline Hope for First Responders, where he leads with a heart for service and a mission to care for those who protect and serve. With a diverse background in ministry, mentorship, and leadership development, Bob brings decades of experience in supporting individuals through crisis, trauma, grief, and recovery.
Bob currently serves as a police chaplain for multiple law enforcement agencies in Warren County, providing frontline support through a ministry of presence. He is also the founder and director of the Warren County Peer Support Team, which equips first responders to care for one another through trained, compassionate peer engagement.
Bob holds a Master’s in Religion, senior credentials with the International Conference of Police Chaplains, and is actively involved in Hope Church and the Chaplains Collective. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to resilience, compassion, and the well-being of those on the front lines.
Leadership
Mission in Motion
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Nicole Cordero
Board Member and Treasurer
Sergeant Niki Cordero serves as a board member and treasurer for Frontline Hope for First Responders, bringing nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement and a deep commitment to officer wellness. She has served with the Clearcreek Township Police Department for 18 years, where she currently coordinates the department’s wellness program—focusing on the mental, emotional, and physical health of her fellow officers.
Niki’s work is rooted in compassion, leadership, and firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by those in uniform. Her dedication to building a culture of care within public safety aligns directly with the mission of Frontline Hope.
Outside of her professional role, Niki enjoys spending time with her family and finding rest in nature—often through camping and outdoor adventures.
Jeff Rhein, MRC, PCC-s, LICDC-CS
Board Member
Jeff Rhein serves on the board of Frontline Hope for First Responders, offering more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, and criminal justice support. He currently serves as Deputy Director for Substance Use Disorder, Crisis Services, Criminal Justice, and Outpatient Mental Health with the Mental Health Recovery Board Serving Warren & Clinton Counties (MHRB).
Licensed in both mental health and substance use disorder counseling in the state of Ohio, Jeff has spent his career working with individuals in crisis and advocating for compassionate, evidence-based care. In addition to his clinical and administrative leadership, he has taught continuing education courses at local, state, and national levels, and serves as adjunct faculty at Xavier University.
Jeff joined MHRB in 2014 after working in direct service with a local provider agency. In 2023, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Council on Aging, representing Warren County.
Outside of work, Jeff enjoys time with family, cycling, running, bonsai cultivation, gardening, live music—and even performing stand-up comedy.
Justin Buehler
Board Member
Assistant Chief Justin Buehler brings over two decades of fire service experience to his role on the board of Frontline Hope for First Responders. He has served with the Clearcreek Fire District for 23 years, where he currently leads the department’s Risk Management Division and serves as Wellness Coordinator.
In his leadership role, Justin focuses on developing proactive strategies to reduce occupational risk and promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of firefighters and staff. His passion for first responder wellness is evident in his commitment to creating a culture that values safety, resilience, and long-term health.
With deep roots in the fire service and firsthand understanding of the demands placed on first responders, Justin is a strong advocate for the mission of Frontline Hope. His expertise and dedication make him a vital voice in supporting those who serve on the front lines every day.
Douglas C. Prince, M.D.
Board Member
Dr. Douglas C. Prince brings a lifetime of pioneering medical leadership to the board of Frontline Hope for First Responders. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Dr. Prince completed his pediatric residency at Good Samaritan Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, serving as Chief Resident in 1977.
He went on to serve as Medical Director and Attending Physician at Dayton Children’s Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Department for nearly three decades (1977–2005), while also teaching as Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Wright State University’s School of Medicine.
Dr. Prince is a recognized innovator in pediatric emergency care. He founded Children’s Emergency Services, Inc.—the first and only private practice of pediatric emergency medicine in the U.S.—and opened the nation’s first pediatric urgent care center in Kettering, Ohio. His entrepreneurial vision also led to the founding of Blue Ribbon Billing Company and BioIncept, where he served as CEO and Chairman. He currently leads Prince Biotech, continuing to innovate in the medical and biotech fields.
With decades of clinical, academic, and executive experience, Dr. Prince brings invaluable insight and a passion for advancing health and wellness—especially for those serving under high-stress, front-line conditions.
Nicole Riley
Advisor
Nicole “Nikki” Rilkey serves as an advisor to Frontline Hope for First Responders, bringing a wealth of real-world experience from both law enforcement and first responder wellness advocacy. She currently serves as the First Responder Liaison for the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Bureau of Criminal Justice Services, where she works to bridge the gap between mental health services and public safety professionals.
A graduate of The Ohio State University, Nikki is a retired police officer with the Reynoldsburg Police Department, where she served in multiple roles including patrol officer, school resource officer, and detective. Her service also encompassed extensive specialized duties—ranging from CIT officer and field training officer to public information officer, arson investigator, and peer assistance team lead. Her passion for peer support and officer wellness has consistently been a hallmark of her career.
Nikki continues to serve her community in numerous capacities: as an adjunct faculty member at Central Ohio Technical College, OPOTA instructor for the Ohio Basic Police Officer Training Academy, part-time police officer for the City of Logan, and as a member of the Fairfield-Hocking Peer Support Team. She also volunteers as a firefighter with the Mary Ann Township Fire Department in Licking County.
Nikki’s unique combination of field experience, training expertise, and mental health advocacy makes her a trusted voice and tireless advocate for Ohio’s first responders.
Melanie Palmer, IMFT-S
Advisor
Melanie Palmer, M.A., IMFT-S, serves as an advisor to Frontline Hope for First Responders, bringing over 25 years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to the mental wellness of those who serve in public safety. As the sole owner, manager, and clinician at Melanie Palmer, LLC, she has built a practice centered on culturally competent, trauma-informed care—particularly for law enforcement officers and first responders.
Melanie is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant, known for her client-centered, strength-based approach. Her work is grounded in building resilience, supporting recovery, and helping clients navigate the emotional toll of high-stress professions. She has been vetted and approved by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) as a Wellness Provider, a testament to her expertise and trust within the first responder community.
In addition to her therapy and consultation services, Melanie is certified in the Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP)—a rapid-response intervention designed to provide stabilization and self-regulation support within days of a critical incident. She integrates ASAP and other advanced modalities to provide timely, compassionate, and effective care.
Melanie’s practice emphasizes professional development, cultural awareness, and practical tools that promote long-term mental health. Her work continues to shape how first responders and their families access meaningful, specialized support when they need it most.