StandFast’s Leadership Team and Board of Directors come from varying backgrounds. Each and everyone one of us has been touched by a first responder or military tragedy. We have personally experienced the impact of such an event and want to assist others.
Leadership Team
Eve Bucca, Executive Director
Eve has always been a part of the first responder and military community. Her grandfather, father, and husband were all proud members of the FDNY, and military veterans. She is honored to hold the rank of Honorary Battalion Chief within the New York City Fire Department. Eve was married to her best friend Ron for 23 years. His death on 9/11 is what led to the creation of StandFast Alliance. The lessons he taught and influences he had helped shape the work she and others bring to the organization today. Additionally, she has family and friends in law enforcement and is a military mom. Eve has worked as a registered nurse, licensed massage therapist, and HeartMath Coach and Trainer. From an early age she saw what a difference having a resilient outlook in life made. After the challenges of 9/11, her focus became centered on providing resiliency tools and training to the members and families of the first responder and military community. Sharing what she learned about creating a mindset that responds to challenges as opposed to just reacting to them is her passion. She loves giving back to this community that means so much to her.
John Mitchell, SVP of Communications
John is a risk management professional. He graduated from Fordham University, where he designed his first website for the Fordham chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an International Honor Organization for Financial Information Students and Professionals. John brings a diverse skill set to the StandFast Alliance (SFA) team and is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of SFA’s communication channels. John is passionate about giving back to the first responder community that has been a foundation to his upbringing and an inspiration in his life. He has multiple family members and friends in the fire, police and military communities, including the FDNY, NYPD, Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. John is the nephew of Ronald Bucca.
Board of Directors
Ronald Bucca, Board President
Ron Bucca is a Special Forces, Green Beret, with multiple combat deployments to the Middle East and Africa. He has served with the 5th and is currently serving with the 20th Special Forces Group (SFG). He enlisted in the U.S. Army following the events of 9/11 and loss of his father. Ron holds a BSM in Finance from Tulane University, MA in Globalization from Dartmouth College, and MBA from Columbia Business School.
Bart Mitchell, Board Secretary
Bart is an attorney and the managing partner at the law firm of Carro, Carro & Mitchell, LLP, one of the largest minority-owned law firms in the State of New York. Bart has represented hundreds of firefighters and police officers in various legal matters and has provided pro bono legal services to such organizations as the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation and the FDNY Disaster Assistance Response Team. Bart feels strongly connected to the FDNY and first responders. He formerly served as a volunteer firefighter in his community. His grandfather and father were FDNY officers. His father retired as a Battalion Chief following 36 years of service. Bart is the brother-in-law of the late Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca.
William Tronolone, Board Treasurer
Bill is the Director of the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes at Mount Saint Mary's University. He is a sales management senior-level executive with a broad background in marketing corporations and has over 35 years of marketing experience, including working with the New York Islanders and Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Bill was instrumental in facilitating our donation of a 2014 Ford Escape to the Fire Family Transport Foundation. His staunch and enthusiastic support of the First Responder and military communities make him a value asset to Stand Fast Alliance.
Jessica Bucca-Hughes, Board Director
Jessica is a HeartMath Add Heart Facilitator. She grew up surrounded by the fire, police and military communities with multiple family members in the Army, Marines, Coast Guard, FDNY and NYPD. Jessica inherited a love of adventure and travel from her parents. Extensive travel and a desire to promote cultural understanding through education led her to pursue a degree in teaching English as a second language. She completed her undergraduate degree at Villanova University and her Masters of Education at New York University. For the past ten years she has taught English language in New York to elementary and high school students. She lives with her husband and two children. Jessica is the daughter of Ronald Bucca.
Robert Bucca, Board Director
Robert retired from the NYPD after 25 years of service. He worked in Midtown South Precinct, 13th Precinct and Midtown North Precinct. Most of his time was spent in Midtown North where he was on patrol and a PBA delegate. Robert also worked for the NYC Parks Department and proudly served in the US Army with the 82 Airborne Division as a Medic. Robert is Ronald Bucca's younger brother.
Thomas Roach, Board Director
Thomas Roach was a member of the FDNY and retired as a Battalion Chief after 36 years. He is also a practicing attorney for the past 31 years. Tom has volunteered his time to numerous not for profit organizations benefiting FDNY members and their families.