MEET THE HEROES IN ACTION TEAM
President/Founder
Ray Amanat founded “Heroes in Action” mainly because he was a victim of bullying and violence at home and from elementary school through high school. A Hero in his life helped him to realize that he deserved to be safe, and deserved to be respected. With that, Ray decided to be a “Victim No More”, and to end the bullying and violence in his life. He began studying Martial Arts which gave him the confidence and empowered him to stand up against those who were bullying him.
As Ray saw his life turning around, he began to empathize with others who were in the same circumstance and did not have a Hero in their life to help them. Since schools have “Zero Tolerance” policies, Ray knew he could not teach martial arts in the classroom, but he could apply the principles of honor, integrity, respect, and character as part of his curriculum. Since bullying and violence are safety issues, Ray researched, trained, and became certified in many programs having to do with public and personal safety. At this point, he founded Heroes In Action, where he developed programs to help adults and children of all abilities and disabilities to feel empowered to keep themselves safe, as well as to create a culture of respect and non-violence towards others.
Ray has since lectured at public and private universities, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. He gives seminars and personal safety workshops to individuals and corporations, providing them with street-smart tips, practical advice, and role-playing with real-world examples. He works with area law enforcement and local D.A.R.E. programs, as well as the St. Louis Special School District, to give guidance to children with special needs, and is often interviewed by radio and news programs.
He has established himself as a leading advocate for victims of abuse, bullying, and violence. His tragic personal experience gave him a first-hand understanding of their experiences, which is why the program he developed works. It is also why he continuously works toward promoting the goal of Amanat’s Heroes In Action, to educate everyone in the community to create a safer environment, so we can all move forward in life in a positive way.
Executive Vice-President
Debbie has been a student of martial arts for over 24 years, earning her black belt in taekwondo and currently being mentored in Filipino martial arts and Conflict Threat Strategies. She has been a board member since 2018, is a speaker and trainer, and has held the position of Executive Vice-President since January 2021.
Board of Directors
Dr. Klein is a local general dentist. Having been bullied in elementary school, he knows firsthand the effects bullying can have on a child, both physically and mentally. When his two sons were being picked on in school, they enrolled in Mr. Amanat’s classes. Their self-confidence soared knowing how to assert themselves when confronted by bullies. Now they even come to the defense of others in need of assistance.
Having known and worked with Mr. Amanat for over twenty years, Dr. Klein has personally seen the positive results that the H.E.R.O.E.S. in Action programs can provide for both children and adults.
Speaker Trainer
Sabrina currently works as an award-winning realtor with Grassmuck Realty LLC in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, and is also the Owner and CEO at Black Water Pictures. Sabrina is now a Board Member and Registered Agent for Heroes In Action in the state of Missouri.
Communiy Relations Officer
Tina is committed to educating children. She believes that schools should be safe, peaceful environments that promote a lifelong passion for learning. Currently, Tina is a Lower Elementary Director for a local private Montessori School.
She teaches a classroom of children ages six-nine. Previously, Tina taught second grade for an inner-city charter school. She has seen first-hand how H.E.R.O.E.S. in Action helps provide children with the skills and information needed to assert themselves and be safe regarding bullying and violence.
Project Management Officer
Kevin is a Senior Assurance Associate at a big four public accounting firm in St. Louis, MO. He believes in the importance of teaching our youth about the damaging effects of bullying and ways they can help prevent it.
Through Ray’s H.E.R.O.E.S. in Action program, he knows real change is possible. With the commitment of our community, Kevin believes Ray has the potential to change thousands of lives. He supports the program through volunteering his time coordinating H.E.R.O.E.S. in Action special projects and events.
Project Management Officer
Kim, a previous technology specialist, is now an entrepreneur running her own business, Custom Tag Services. Kim is a strong advocate of Heroes In Action and believes it is a great program for all ages and
environments.
Legal Counsel
Frank Amanat is a highly decorated litigator with nearly 30 years of experience in a broad range of complex
legal matters and currently is a partner at DiCello Levitt Gutzler. He has particular expertise in
constitutional and administrative law, as well as class actions, financial and securities fraud, health care and
pharmaceutical litigation, False Claims Act and FIRREA litigation, complex torts, civil rights, and
environmental litigation.
For more information on Mr. Amanat visit: https://dicellolevitt.com/attorney/frank-amanat/
Frank Bellizio is dedicated to helping organizations like Heroes In Action and small businesses to maximize their presence in the digital world. He has over 30 years of digital marketing experience. His experience in fundraising for nonprofit organizations that work with children like Rainbows United and Wish To Fish is quite beneficial to Heroes In Action’s long and short-term goals.