Rockwell “Rocky” Herron

Rockwell Herron conducts school-based high-intensity substance abuse prevention talks for teens and young adults focusing on empowering them to be mindful of their choices and to be respectful of their potential in life. Rocky served 31 years as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent investigating narcotics trafficking at the local, national, and international level. He uses these professional experiences and his experience as the father of 3 young women to show students the true impact of substance abuse to the individual, their family, school, community, country, and global community. He began teaching in 2007 while still an active DEA agent and has conducted over 500 presentations to more than 130,000 kids in middle schools, high schools, and universities in the U.S. and 14 other countries. Rocky teaches in both English and Spanish and has a proven track record of engaging large student audiences regardless of ethnic, geographic, or socio-economic boundaries. He has earned a Master’s of Education and has been awarded a doctorate from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, which was granted for his success in educating youth across Mexico. He is a lifelong competitive fencer and has volunteered since 2011 teaching wheelchair fencing to Wounded Warriors at San Diego's Naval Hospital. He has also helped start wheelchair fencing programs in Colombia, Mexico, and the Republic of Georgia.