AARS BOARD MEMBERS

Kathy is a recognized authority whom media outlets, congressional staff, international

agencies, and Facebook turn to for insights into online romance scams. With over 4,000

volunteer hours dedicated to assisting identity theft victims and those ensnared by

scammers, she has established herself as a pivotal figure in this field. 

Her advocacy extends to numerous engagements in Washington, D.C., where she has met with congressional and Senate staff, the Federal Trade Commission, and Pentagon officials. Notably, Kathy is among the few individuals to have engaged directly with Facebook, Inc.'s safety and security team, sharing her comprehensive data collection, reports, and insights. 

Kathy's journey into combating romance scams began with a personal experience when a friend of her mother became a victim to a scammer impersonating a military general. This incident led Kathy to connect with Colonel Bryan Denny (Ret.), whose identity had been stolen. Together, they co-

founded Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS), which is dedicated to raising awareness about this pervasive scam and its profound impact.

Kathy's commitment to this cause exemplifies her passion for protecting individuals and communities from online fraud. She advocates tirelessly to bring attention to the issue and drive meaningful change.

Kathy also holds the role of co-chair for the Victims Services division of Operation Shamrock, a coalition that unites stakeholders across various sectors involved in combating transnational organized crime. Operation Shamrock's mission is to integrate efforts throughout the entire investigative and prosecutorial process, thereby creating a unified front against criminal activities. This collaborative effort not only enhances information sharing and resource

consolidation but also enables the development of targeted responses to effectively combat the scourge of online romance scams.

Through her leadership in Operation Shamrock, Kathy spearheads initiatives aimed at ensuring comprehensive victim support and advocacy. This includes coordinating with global partners and

governmental bodies to implement robust strategies for victim assistance and perpetrator accountability. By fostering this collaborative approach, Operation Shamrock and Kathy are instrumental in safeguarding individuals worldwide from the devastating impacts of online fraud while advancing efforts to dismantle criminal networks.

Bryan Denny, a founding member and Chairman of Advocating Against Romance Scammers, has a distinguished background as a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 26 years of service. In 2016, his identity was compromised when his photos were unlawfully used to create numerous

fraudulent profiles across various platforms, making him an unwitting symbol of military

romance scams. 

Driven by personal experience, Bryan is deeply committed to combatting online fraud by raising awareness among potential victims and advocating for legislative changes to curb organized crime online.

Bryan's advocacy efforts have garnered international attention, as evidenced by his appearances on prominent media outlets such as Four Corners Australia, Nightline, The Mel Robbins Show, and Inside Edition, in addition to being featured in leading publications including the New York Times. His tireless work in spotlighting the prevalence and impact of romance scams has resonated widely, reaching and informing countless individuals.

Together with his collaborator, Kathy Waters, Bryan remains steadfast in their shared mission to effect meaningful change in the ongoing battle against romance scams. Their dedication underscores a proactive approach to safeguarding online communities and empowering individuals to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes. 

Julie is a consulting firm Director with Protiviti and has more than 15 years of financial services experience. Julie is part of the Regulatory Risk team located in New York, New York, and her experience and expertise focus on consumer bank regulation with emphasis on compliance

management related to retail banking, specifically consumer protection and Anti Money Laundering laws. 

Julie's academic background in psychology fuels her deep interest in comprehending the multifaceted strategies of romance scammers. She recognizes the intersection of social media, dating services, financial platforms, payment systems, cybersecurity, and various communication channels as integral components of perpetrators, tactics.

Julie’s experience and commitment to Advocating Against Romance Scammers (“AARS”) underscores a holistic approach to combating fraud while addressing the emotional and financial impact on victims.

April is a distinguished radio news anchor and reporter at 102.3 KRMG, a prominent

news and talk station based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her career commenced in television news reporting, where she specialized in covering various criminal activities, including scams, amassing two decades of experience in the field.

Despite her extensive background, April faced a deeply personal challenge when her

own mother became a victim to a romance scam. Concurrently battling ovarian cancer, April's

mother tragically lost $350,000 to scammers before her passing in March 2020. Seeking

solace and solutions, April turned to Advocating Against Romance Scammers, an

organization that provided invaluable support and guidance during her family's ordeal.

Motivated by her personal experience and driven by a commitment to prevent similar

tragedies, April now dedicates her efforts to educating the public through the Scammer

Stories podcast. In her role as host, she interviews experts and shares compelling

narratives from scam victims, aiming to raise awareness and empower others with

knowledge to combat online fraud effectively.

Roger L. Campbell boasts a distinguished career in law enforcement spanning over thirty years and robust investigative expertise. His journey began in 1991 as a police officer for the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he laid the groundwork for his investigative acumen.

In 1996, Roger was elevated to the role of detective, assuming the lead investigator position with a specialization in juvenile-related violent crimes. His career trajectory took a pivotal turn in 1997 when he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent. Following rigorous training at Quantico, Virginia, he was stationed at the Washington, D.C. Field Division, where he tackled a diverse array of criminal cases, notably excelling in intricate fraud

investigations. Additionally, Mr. Campbell contributed significantly as a member of the Evidence Response Team during critical assignments, including evidence collection at the Pentagon post-September 11 attacks.

Transitioning into a Supervisory Special Agent role at FBI Headquarters in 2007, Roger took charge of high-stakes investigations involving terrorist financing and cyber intrusions. His leadership and expertise continued to evolve as he returned to field operations in 2014, spearheading investigations into ATM skimming, fraud scams encompassing romance fraud, and

business email compromises. He culminated his illustrious career at the FBI’s Norfolk, Virginia Field Office, retiring in October 2019.

Janice Hart, CA, is a founding board member of AARS and a seasoned director known for her unwavering commitment to advocacy and community impact, principles that guide her distinguished career.

Previously, Janice dedicated eighteen years to juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention before assuming the role of Assistant City Manager for External Programs in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Currently, Janice serves as the Director of Reputation Management at Electronic

Caregiver, Inc. (ECG), an innovative leader in health technology. ECG specializes in comprehensive healthcare solutions encompassing personal care, security and emergency response, caregiver relief, behavioral health, chronic care management, remote patient monitoring, assistive technologies, and virtual care.

In her capacity at ECG, Janice Hart, CA, is the Director of Reputation Management. She plays a pivotal role as the primary contact for victims of romance scams utilizing her CEO’s images, underscoring her empathy and steadfast dedication to aiding others.

Early in her tenure at ECG, Janice uncovered a network of scammers who had exploited her CEO’s identity. These individuals used his likeness to create fraudulent profiles on social media and dating platforms, deceiving victims both emotionally and financially, resulting in losses exceeding six million dollars from romance scams alone.

Motivated by the plight of these victims, Janice pursued specialized training and

achieved certification from the National Advocates Credentialing Program as a

Credentialed Advocate (CA) at the Intermediate Level, specializing in Identity Theft/Financial Crimes. She remains an active member of the National Organization for

Victim Advocacy.

Janice's commitment to combating online fraud and financial crimes, particularly those affected by romance scams, is unwavering. She is deeply committed to safeguarding her company and its leadership, enhancing public awareness, and providing vital

assistance to victims and potential victims.