About

Our Symbol

The Institute’s symbol combines two runic characters, “K” () representing knowledge, and “A” () for action, both of which we must possess to be aware of ourselves and our surroundings and to function safely. It symbolizes your freedom to move through your world confidently.

Our Team

Dan Schilling - President

Dan conducted combat, clandestine, rescue and humanitarian operations around the world and is now committed to improving and making life safer for others through his unique philosophical perspectives and extensive operational expertise. He spent more than 30 years in the U.S. military, primarily in Special Operations as a Combat Controller and Special Tactics Officer. During Operation Gothic Serpent, popularly known as Black Hawk Down, he is credited with saving the lives of a Ranger and Team Six SEAL while under fire. He later conceived, founded and then served as the first commander of two special operations squadrons, one of which’s name and purpose remains top-secret. His final military assignment was the Joint Special Operations Command weapons of mass destruction U.S. interagency and intelligence community director. He was a HALO and staticline master parachutist, Special Forces combat diver, and Combat Control pipeline instructor.

​Dan became a full-time writer after retiring from the military in 2016. His last book, Alone at Dawn (Grand Central, 2019) was a New York Times and Amazon #1 international bestseller focused on the world’s least known yet deadliest special operations force and the U.S. Air Force’s greatest hero in half a century, Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman. It is soon to be a major motion picture from MGM studios.

A purveyor of adrenaline-fueled endeavors, he holds the Guinness World Record for most BASE jumps in 24 hours (201), a charity event he conducted to support children who have lost a parent in special operations through the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. He is also a professional-rated demonstration skydiver, speedwing pilot and volunteer ski instructor with Wasatch Adaptive Sports, helping those with disabilities to experience the joy of downhill skiing.

But it was in the course of writing The Power of Awareness that he realized his life was taking on a new direction. The overwhelming positive response and his decades long relationship with Randy Watt led him to found along with Dr. Mitch Javidi, the Power of Awareness Institute. The result is his new found passion for empowering individuals so they can experience the world with confidence.

Randy Watt - Chief Operations Officer

Steven R. Watt (Randy) is a retired Chief of Police of the Ogden, Utah, Police Department, where he served for 38 years in various assignments within the Department, including 12 years with the Ogden/Metro SWAT Team. He received numerous awards and medals for his police service, including twice being awarded the Department’s Medal of Valor. He is an internationally recognized trainer and speaker in Leadership, Special Operations, and Terrorism, and has authored numerous articles in those subject areas. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science from Weber State College, a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Randy is a graduate of Session 191 of the FBI National Academy.

Randy is also a retired Colonel, Utah Army National Guard, and former Commander of the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), commanding 2200 special operations soldiers across 9 states. He retired with 34 years active duty and reserve service, including multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq during America’s two decades of post 9/11 engagements and commanded at all levels of Special Forces, including ODA, company, battalion, and group. He has received numerous medals and awards for his service, including the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star for Valor in combat, and 3 Bronze Stars for meritorious service in combat. He is a master parachutist and is military freefall qualified. Randy and his wife of 41 years, Terri, reside in Morgan County, Utah. They have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.

Danielle Croyle - Chief Safety Coach

Danielle has a 30-year career in Law Enforcement and currently works at the South Salt Lake Police Department as its Executive Officer. Past positions include serving as the Administrative Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Salt Lake Field Office), and she is a retired captain from the Ogden, Utah City Police Department after 25 years of service.

Danielle holds a BA degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University. She also serves as a member of the University’s Social and Behavioral Science Advancement Board and has served as a Board of Trustee. She was the Past President of the WSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. She serves on the State of Utah USERVE Board as a Commissioner and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy in Quantico, VA.

She is an active community member, serving on the Utah Domestic Violence Advisory Council, as well as the Weber/Morgan Domestic Violence Coalition. Danielle is passionate about family and individual safety issues, such as child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and an advocate for legislation and programs that protect the vulnerable.

She and her husband Bob have four children and four grandchildren. She enjoys skiing, hiking, river rafting, reading, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Mitch Javidi - Chief Technology Officer

Mitch Javidi’s American journey began when he arrived alone in the US as a 13- year-old with no English language or parents. From there he managed to work, thrive and become a U.S. citizen. Holding as many as three jobs, he earned a doctorate and began a professorship at North Carolina State University, teaching organizational leadership and communication. Mitch successfully completed tenure while complimenting his academic career by providing leadership training to the Joint Special Operations Command and pursuing business ventures.

He is now committed to building leadership capacities in safety and giving back to the country that so generously provided him opportunities to succeed.  As a globally recognized leader, he is a cofounder of The Power of Awareness Institute, the National Command & Staff College, Epochal Technology, Inc, and the Criminal Justice Commission for Credible Leadership Development.

Mitch is the developer of “MAGNUS OVEA,” a general theory of performance, leadership, wellness, resiliency, and anti-fragility. As an expert in these disciplines, he has conducted training for over 350 organizations worldwide including GlaxoSmithKline plc, AT&T, PepsiCo, Comcast, Dell Technologies, General Electric, HP, IBM, Merck, Oracle, Pfizer, Bank of America, Best Buy, General Motors, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caterpillar, Johnson & Johnson, Raytheon Technologies, Cisco Systems, the US Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, FBI, NYPD and LAPD.

His awards include honorary membership in the United States Army Special Operations Command and honorary Sheriff in the National Sheriffs’ Association. He is also a National Tactical Officers Association “Spirit Award” recipient, presented annually to an individual whose work saves lives, and the recipient of the National Society of Accountants’ prestigious “Person of the Year” award.

Aimee Langdon - Personal Safety Ambassador

Aimee Langdon is the Vice President of Langdon Tactical Technology, Inc. Langdon is a global business professional with over 18 years of professional business development, sales and marketing experience. Aimee has directly supervised global sales and operations teams while always providing the best possible outcome for both her customers and business.

Aimee has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism in Strategic Communication and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

Aimee is an energetic mom, accomplished athlete (most recently, four 1st place Women’s Elite Tactical Games and 2nd in 2021 Tactical Games Nationals), a former national baton twirling competitor and Feature Twirler for the University of Minnesota. Passionate about fitness, Aimee has three CrossFit training certifications.