Our Team | MFF

ABOUT THE

Foundation

Introducing the Minneapolis Fire Foundation: A Beacon of Support and Safety

The Minneapolis Fire Foundation, established in November 2023, is the brainchild of Steve Shapira, a former Captain from the St. Paul Fire Department, whose career was cut short by a cancer diagnosis after more than 17 years of dedicated service. Recognizing the critical budgetary gaps and the need for enhanced resources within public safety services, Steve pioneered the formation of the St. Paul Fire Foundation in 2009. This initiative, currently steered by his wife Cristine, has showcased its impact at stpaulfirefoundation.org

After retiring from active fire service, Steve transitioned to an educational role, focusing on firefighter health, wellness, and cancer prevention at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. His tenure there culminated in a role as Fire & EMS Program Manager in 2017, through which he fostered a significant partnership with the Minneapolis Fire Department (MFD). Collaborating closely with Training Chief JR Klepp, Steve delivered crucial training for the MFD Fire Cadet Academy and established educational benchmarks essential for advancing through the department’s ranks.

Inspired by these collaborations and after extensive planning with MFD’s Fire Chief Bryan Tyner and Local 82 President Mark Lakosky, the Minneapolis Fire Foundation was conceived. This nonprofit organization seeks to bolster the Minneapolis Fire Department by addressing its diverse needs through public-private partnerships.

meet our

Board Members

Steve Shapira

Founder/ Executive Director

Steve was born and raised in the Como Park neighborhood of St. Paul, the youngest of three children. He attended public schools and graduated from Como Park Senior High in 1986. He attended the University of Minnesota from 1987-1991. He received his Associates Degree in Fire Science in 2005 from John Wood Community College, graduating with highest honors (4.0).

Steve worked for the City of St. Paul for nearly 27 years, including 4 years in Parks
& Recreation, 5 years in the Police Department, and over 17 years for the St. Paul Fire Department, where he retired in July of 2015 as the rank of Captain.

Steve is the Founder of the St. Paul Fire Foundation (2010) and is the current State Director of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network-Minnesota Chapter (501C3). He is an instruction for MnFIRE and travels the State of Minnesota providing education, awareness, and training to fire departments and their members.

Steve is married to his wonderful bride of 28 years Cristine. They have 3 daughters: Rachel 25, Sara 23, and Natalie 21.

Bryan D. Tyner, EFO

Fire Chief

Fire Chief Bryan Tyner, EFO has served the Minneapolis Fire Department for more than 29 years. A product of the Northside of Minneapolis, he has held the positions of Firefighter, Fire Motor Operator, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal (Deputy Chief), and Assistant Chief of Administration. Chief Tyner also served as President of the Minneapolis African American Professional Firefighters Association from 2001 – 2008. Chief Tyner holds an associate degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Fire Administration and was conferred the title of Executive Fire Officer by the U.S. Congress in January of 2014 following the completion of a four year EFO certification program at the U.S. National Fire Academy. Chief Tyner was appointed to the position of Fire Chief on December 8, 2020.

Fire Chief Tyner is committed to Honesty, Integrity, and Fairness. He brings with him the skillsets of great interpersonal relations, conceptualization, and diagnostic skills. Chief Tyner has used these combined skillsets to craft and implement innovative solutions to issues both within the fire service and the community.

Megan Newquist

Journalist

Megan Newquist is a journalist at KSTP where she’s been for 15 years. She anchors 5 Eyewitness News Morning and lifestyle show Minnesota Live.

Megan is mom to 12 year old twins, married to a Twin Cities area firefighter and enjoys exploring the world.

Tommy Cherep

Board Member

My name is Tommy Cherep, and I am serving as a current board member of the newly formed Minneapolis Fire Foundation. It is an honor to have the opportunity to help support the Mpls. Fire Department members.

I currently serve as the Chief Director of Emergency Services for 24Restore. My role consists of working with fire departments across the state of MN to help the citizens of their communities to work through the recovery process after a disaster. My other focuses are to support fire departments with fundraising needs, and to help support and promote community functions (including training events).

I served as both a firefighter and a captain for the City of Bloomington for over 22 years. A few of my positions held with Bloomington FD included: Fire Prevention Officer, Honor Guard Lead, Dive Team Lead and High Angle Rescue Technician. I also served as a full time firefighter with the Kurtz Industrial Fire Department that serviced the Flint Hills Resources property in Rosemount. I held the role of Crew Chief until I transfered to the safety department (moving to work directly for Flint Hills Resources). I started as a Shift Captain and ended my career there as the Deputy Chief of Training. Over my 12 years spent with FHR, I had the privilege of working with several recruit classes from both Minneapolis and St. Paul Fire departments.

I am very passionate about the fire service and those that serve. The opportunity to be on the board for the Minneapolis Fire Fondation is giving me the chance to use my life experiences to benefit the current members of Minneapolis fire by supporting the needs of its members.

Thank you for providing me with another amazing opportunity to serve my community.

Daniel Harrison

Daniel Harrison joined Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. in 2018 and practices exclusively in workers’ compensation law, PERA/MSRS disability law, and personal injury law. He is a member in good standing with the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Before joining the firm, Daniel worked as a judicial extern for both the Hennepin County District Court and the United States Bankruptcy Court. Through this, he obtained both legal experience and exposure to the courtroom working alongside judges.

Outside of work, Daniel volunteers as a moot court coach at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He also enjoys sports, fishing, and spending time with his friends and family.

Education:

J.D., Cum Laude, St. Thomas School of Law; Minneapolis, MN
B.S., Finance, Metropolitan University; St. Paul, MN

John Bennet

Nonprofit Banking and Commercial Services

John Bennett is a resident of Mendota Heights, and a lifelong banker to the Twin Cities. He is currently the Sr. Vice President of 21^st Century Bank with expertise in Nonprofit Banking and Commercial Services. He serves on numerous boards and charitable organizations including Achieve Services, Circus Juventas, The Minneapolis Fire Foundation, The 30 Days Foundation, The Walker West Music Academy, The Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival, The St. Paul Rotary Club and the St. Paul Port Authority to name a few. John is passionate about seeing nonprofit organizations grow through connecting people and organizations to worthy causes. John was selected as King Boreas 68 for the 2004 St. Paul Winter Carnival. Since this time he has made a career serving the Twin Cities and addressing the needs of at risk or underserved populations.

Mark Lakosky

Fire Motor Operator

Mark is a 23-year veteran of the Minneapolis Fire Department and currently serves as the rank of Fire Motor Operator. He is the current President of Minneapolis Firefighter union Local 82. Prior to becoming a firefighter, Mark served as a corrections officer in the states of California and Minnesota. He also is a military veteran, serving as a police officer in the United States Army. He was raised in Saint Paul and is the oldest of 9 adopted children. Mark is married with twin sons, one who currently is on the Saint Paul Fire Department.

Scott Wagley

Internet Marketing Consultant

With over 36 years of experience in technology improvement, business process, training, and consulting, Scott Wagley brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the Minneapolis Fire Foundation. As the Founder and CEO of eSolutions for Real Estate, and a seasoned entrepreneur and inventor, Scott has a proven track record of strategic thinking and innovation. He is committed to leveraging his business acumen and leadership skills to advance the Foundation’s mission of supporting the brave men and women who protect our community.