About
Solving Public Safety's Recruitment Crisis Through Smart Technology
The public safety sector faces an unprecedented recruitment challenge.
With vacancy rates climbing and experienced professionals retiring faster than they can be replaced, agencies across the country are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. Traditional recruitment methods—Excel spreadsheets, manual processes, and fragmented communication—are failing when departments need them most.
Respond Capture was founded to fix the recruiting problem for good.
We recognized that while first responder agencies understand the importance of recruitment, they often lack the tools and technology to execute effective, data-driven hiring campaigns. Our mission is to transform how law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS services, and corrections facilities attract, engage, and hire the next generation of first responder professionals.
Rather than replacing what works, we enhance it. Our platform automates the time-consuming manual processes that drain resources while providing the tracking, analytics, and conversion optimization that modern recruitment demands. We don't just help you reach more candidates—we help you convert them into quality hires.
Founding Team
Ryan, Cort, and Matt are accomplished entrepreneurs who have successfully led or currently run well-established firms on the West Coast. As neighbors and part of the same entrepreneurial circles, they united efforts to launch Respond Capture, driven by their shared passion for law enforcement, especially in response to the challenges Portland has faced in recent years.
Ryan Lewis
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
Founder and CEO of multiple successful businesses, including a 2x Oregon Fastest Growing Company and 2x Inc. 5000 winner. Working with first responders over the last decade has driven Ryan to develop Respond Capture to become the leading recruiting platform in the industry.
Cort Buchholz
CTO – Chief Technical Officer
Founder and CEO of Singlemind, a user-centered design and development agency with over 25 years of industry experience. Recipient of 4 International Business Awards and 2 Inc. 5000 awards, recently ranked #8 on the Portland Business Journal Fastest Growing 100. As CTO, Cort brings his technology-oriented mindset to overcome product development challenges with simple, effective solutions.
Matt Watson
CCO – Chief Creative Officer
Former designer at Lippincott in NYC and senior creative team member at Nike for over 11 years. Founded Watson Creative, a multidisciplinary creative studio that shapes businesses from the inside out. As CCO of Respond Capture, Matt brings extensive experience in storytelling and design to help first responders staff up.
Trusted Advisors
Patrick Johnson
Head of Recruiting, Portland Police Bureau
Patrick brings decades of public safety recruitment experience, providing strategic guidance on industry best practices and emerging challenges facing law enforcement agencies. Patrick is an Oregon State University graduate with a degree in Marketing. His formal education and creative background has led PBB to consistently achieve their recruiting goals.
Jillian E. Snider
Director of Public Safety Partnerships & External Affairs - Respond Capture
Jillian Snider is a retired NYPD officer and Resident Senior Fellow at the R Street Institute, focusing on criminal justice policy. She lectures at John Jay College, serves on the Council on Criminal Justice Women’s Justice Commission, and is a frequent media expert and congressional witness. Snider holds multiple degrees in criminal justice and is pursuing a PhD in behavioral science from Nova Southeastern University.
Ready to Transform Your Recruiting?
Let's discuss how our proven approach can help your agency attract and hire the best candidates.
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