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Laurie Holien
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director, Clinical Professor
Office: Emergency Services Department, ISU Meridian Institute of Emergency Management
208-373-1766
Laurie Holien is an Associate Professor and Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) degree program at Idaho State University (ISU). Ms. Holien formerly served as a professor, HSEM Program Director, and Professor for Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Before Concordia, she served as the Deputy Director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM). She has over 21 years of operational experience in Security, Emergency Management, Critical Infrastructure, and Academics. Her background includes consulting as an Operations Analyst for Scientific Research Corporation, working for the Department of the Navy (SPAWAR), DHS, FEMA, and other local emergency management agencies.
In 2010, she was named a Naval Postgraduate School/Center for Homeland Defense and Security Alumni Fellow. In this capacity, she worked at FEMA’s Headquarters in Washington D.C., including activations of the National Response and Coordination Center. Before that, she was a strategic advisor and manager responsible for critical infrastructure protection and emergency management missions at the City of Seattle Public Utilities Department. Additionally, she has served as a Planning Section Chief on a level III Incident Management Team in King County, WA. Ms. Holien has extensive experience in catastrophic planning, essential utility service delivery, business continuity and operations, risk management, incident management, private sector interdependencies, and local and state collaboration. Ms. Holien earned her Master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Washington.
David Brannan, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Office: Emergency Services Department
Dr. Brannan is an innovator and world authority in the field of homeland security, terrorism analysis, and the use of Social Identity Theory in countering extremism and terrorism. Brannan holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Theology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, where he focused on the study of theologically motivated terrorism. Dr. Brannan combines deep academic knowledge with real-world experience and practicality. He has an extensive background in domestic and international extremism, terrorism, and violent subnational group conflict. In addition to serving in domestic law enforcement, Dr. Brannan was the Director of Security Policy and MOI Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.
Dr. Brannan spent 20 years as senior faculty with the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, lecturing on international and domestic terrorism, extremism, discourse analysis, and ethics. He served as President of Agile Research & Technology, which developed and delivered analytical, educational, technological, and research-based solutions to strengthen the nation’s homeland security and defense capabilities. Dr. Brannan spent five years as a Policy Analyst with the think tank RAND, researching and writing on terrorism and law enforcement issues. He is also the Vice President of Strategy at The Hoffman Group, a counterterrorism-focused research and education organization. Dr. Brannan is an avid stockman, wilderness aficionado, biker, saddle maker, husband to his high school sweetheart, and father of two daughters who routinely baffle him.
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Michael Mikitish
Department Chair, Faculty
Office: Emergency Services Department, ISU Meridian Institute of Emergency Management
Mr. Michael Mikitish is the Department Chair of the Emergency Services Department and Director of the Institute of Emergency Management at Idaho State University-Meridian (ISU). Michael holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, a Master's in Public Administration from Boise State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, a Criminal Justice major from the University of Arizona. From 1982-2005, he served in the US Army in a variety of positions, including Pershing missiles Platoon Commander and Operations Officer, Field Artillery Battery Commander, Combat Maneuver Training Center Observer Controller, Field Artillery Instructor, Battalion Executive Officer, Division Fire Support Coordinator, Training Support Battalion Commander, and Professor of Military Science. Michael also owns an IT Cloud Service business with his son providing Cloud and Network Services to small and medium businesses across the US.
Adjunct Faculty
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Amy Storer
National Security Analyst & Adjunct Professor; Human Slavery and Child Exploitation Investigations
Office: Homeland Security Investigations, Miami, FL
Amy Storer is an Analyst for Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, Florida, currently assigned to the Joint Intelligence Operations Center. Previously, Storer worked at Washington D.C. Headquarters, with collective national security experience at the National Targeting Center; the Tactical Intelligence Cell; the National Intelligence Watch, and the Office of the White House Liaison. Storer also served as a Congressional Liaison representing Homeland Security on legislative efforts to abet the Homeland mission. Her work is victim-centered, with human slavery and child exploitation cases in prime focus.
Ms. Storer holds two master's degrees from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. Currently serving as a professor at Idaho State University and Miami Dade College, Storer began her professorship at age 27 with Savannah State University and the College of Coastal Georgia. Storer has taught American Government, Homeland Security, and Human Trafficking courses. Michigan Tech University honored Amy for the "Top 5 Alumni Under 35" event to inspire future generations. In 2020, Storer was named "Human Trafficking Federal Investigator of the Year" by Zero Trafficking.
Storer holds an active Top-Secret security clearance and takes pride in working on joint task force investigations. Maintaining active involvement with the National Child Protection Task Force is one of her top priorities. Amy seeks to forge partnerships, gain critical technological advancement, and aggressively deliver justice and liberty for those held captive in the most horrific crimes against humanity. The victims and students are the driving force of her dual passions; as a professor, Ms. Storer is dedicated to fostering student success in the classroom and beyond.
Andrew L. Coose
Federal Security Director
Office: Transportation Security Administration
Andrew (Andy) Coose has been TSA's Federal Security Director at Boise Airport for the State of Idaho since 2007. Mr. Coose started as Deputy Director for TSA at the Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon, for five years, where he played a vital role in the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) initial roll-out in 2002. During his tenure as Director in Idaho, the Boise Airport was named TSA's 2009 "Airport of the Year."
Mr. Coose has 20+ years of experience in aviation security. He served in an airport security screening capacity in Spokane, WA, from 1990-91 and later worked for the FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security from 1992 until TSA was formed in 2002.
Mr. Coose also served overseas for TSA in 2007 with the Safe Skies for Africa program at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, and served as TSA Representative in Spain in 2008 and Australia in 2011.
Mr. Coose has a B.A. in International Studies (Political Science) from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Colorado State University. In 2008 he completed "Leadership Best Practices" at Harvard Business School as part of TSA's Senior Leadership Development Program.
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Angela English
English has an impressive career as a strategic thought leader, leading strategic initiatives in homeland security and emergency management, including various risk management projects for and with state and federal task forces. For example, in 2010, appointed by Secretary Janet Napolitano, English worked with 35 other task force members representing local, State, Tribal, and Territorial governments to collaboratively take stock of national preparedness and provide recommendations to Congress.
In her 30 years of working in homeland security, emergency management, mental health, risk management, and disability advocacy communities, she is a recognized award-winning leader. In 2014, graduating “With Distinction,” she was named the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security Curtis H. Butch Straub Achievement Award winner for exemplary leadership and vision. In addition to this honor, she became a Founding Scholar for Innovation at the 18-month think tank called HSx, “Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security” through the Naval Postgraduate School, where she created an award-winning grand challenge project, “One Health Alert System: Complexity Oriented Model for Rapid Detection for Disease Outbreaks.”
She has served as Chief of Staff at the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as a critical advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. When she’s not solving challenging problems, she is out flying her drones as an FAA Certified Part 107 Drone Pilot or behind the lens of her camera, photographing landscapes in remote areas of the world. Combining her interests in drones and public safety, she was an instrumental advisor in creating New Mexico’s Fusion Center’s drone program, a half-million-dollar effort.
Brad Rhodes, CISSP-ISSEP, CISM, GCIH
Office: Senior Manager Accenture Federal Services Col. Cyber Warfare, US Army
Brad Rhodes is an Adjunct Professor in HSEM focused on cybersecurity at Idaho State University. He is a Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services in Denver, CO, holding numerous related professional certifications. Brad has 26+ years of experience in the military, government, and private sectors. Brad is a Combat Veteran who continues to serve in the US Army Reserve as the G6/Chief Information Officer for the 63rd Readiness Division delivering information technology, communications, and cybersecurity services for Soldiers and Civilians across seven states. Brad 26 plus years of significant research includes utilizing Open-Source capabilities to help organizations close security gaps, characterize their cyber operating environments, and gain visibility to stacks of data. He's been known to drown Lego people illustrating the reality of cyber effects.
Brian Miller
Brian Miller has 32 years of extensive operational and leadership experience. His background includes policing, immigration enforcement, international drug and money laundering investigations, risk management/corruption investigations, and private security consulting. Brian began his career in 1990 as a police officer for the Wayne State University Police Department, working in a high-crime area of Detroit, Michigan. In 1992, he joined the ranks of federal law enforcement as a Border Patrol agent, assigned to the San Diego (CA) Sector, the nation’s busiest at the time.
In 1995, Brian was appointed as a special agent in the Drug Enforcement Administration and served as a Field Training Agent, Firearms and Tactical instructor, peer support team member, and supervisory special agent. Brian’s domestic assignments were all on joint task forces with the FBI, U.S. Customs Service, and the San Diego Integrated Narcotic Task Force, which he supervised. For six years, Brian served in the DEA Santiago (Chile) Country Office as a principal advisor to the U.S. Ambassador for all narcotics-related matters in the region.
In 2017, Brian transferred to DHS in San Diego, and as an assistant special agent in charge, he supervised critical incident responses as well as corruption, integrity, and use of force investigations. Brian served as an official mentor as part of DHS’s Mentoring Program until he retired. Brian volunteers as an instructor at the San Diego County Regional Leadership Institute, teaching leadership and interagency collaboration. Brian holds a Top-Secret security clearance and consults on various security matters.
In 2020, Brian earned a Master of Arts Degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. His classmates recognized him with the Mark Carr Esprit de Corps award. Brian also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University, where he earned the university’s highest academic honor and captained the baseball team as an Academic All-America nominee.
Chris Millburn
Chris Milburn is a fire captain in Southern California with an M.A. in Security Studies from Naval Postgraduate School. He has a lengthy career as a sensemaker, systems thinker, and public safety leader. He has served as a fire department public information officer and community education firefighter, directing the department’s disaster preparedness program and community emergency response team. Chris has authored various articles analyzing homeland security issues and societal trends and is a regular peer reviewer for a leading terrorism studies trade journal. His research and academic contributions focus on group conflict, ideologically motivated violence, and strategic communication, with a particular emphasis on insular cultures and group media analysis. He is an avid, lifelong musician and has used his music theory expertise in the analysis of groups’ symbolic rituals and media production.
Darren Price, MA, MEP
Office: Retired - EMA Exercise Program Manager, MEP, Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA), Ohio
Mr. Darren Price has over 30 years of government service, including the past 15+ years as an emergency manager, where he currently serves as a regional operations supervisor. Before his transfer to emergency management, Darren served as a correction officer and assistant special response team commander with the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Additionally, he has served as a member of numerous national-level preparedness exercise committees, addressing topics such as the National Standard Exercise Curriculum and providing policy input into the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. Darren is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as an Intelligence Analyst in the United States and Germany.
Mr. Price has presented at the National Training and Exercise Conference in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and participated as a panelist at the National Grants and Training Conference in Washington, DC. He has also presented at the Homeland Security Summit in Arlington, Virginia, the Michigan Homeland Security Summit, and most recently at an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Seminar at the University of Cincinnati. He has also participated in a discussion panel for the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute’s Live Response broadcast. Darren currently serves as a member of the Academic Advisory Council for the Emergency and Disaster Management Program curriculum at Ohio Christian University Darren has a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School, where his thesis, Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Emergency Management: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners, was an outstanding thesis award nominee. Darren graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ohio Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (concentrations in Organizational Leadership and the Criminal Justice field). He has completed FEMA’s Professional Development Series and Advanced Professional Series programs and has earned the certificate title of Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) from FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
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David Ferguson
Office: Transportation Security Administration’s Assistant Federal Security Director for Regulatory Compliance for the State of Oregon
David Ferguson is the Transportation Security Administration’s Assistant Federal Security Director for Regulatory Compliance for the State of Oregon. In this capacity, he oversees the Aviation, Cargo, and Surface Transportation Security Inspectors as they accomplish their annual regulatory work plan, respond to security incidents, conduct investigations, and generate civil penalties. Dave is also the Chair of the Oregon Federal Executive Board (OFEB). The OFEB’s mission is to improve coordination among federal activities and programs. Dave came to TSA in August 2008 after a 17-year career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where his last position was as the Area Port Director in Portland, Oregon. He began his career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army’s Military Police Corps. His Army experience included four years of active duty with assignments in Northern California and the Republic of South Korea and an additional seven years of reserve service with a Civil Affairs Brigade. In 2003, the creation of the DHS and CBP allowed Dave to lead the merger of former INS, U.S. Customs, and USDA employees into “One Face at the Border” and a unified workforce.
Dave Hanneman
FSA Program Director/Clinical Asst Professor
Office: ISU, Emergency Services Department, Fire Services Administration Program Director
208-373-1766
Chief Hanneman is a highly experienced professional with over 40 years of expertise in firefighting, emergency management, and emergency medical services. He was vital in developing the ISU Fire Services Administration (FSA) degree program. In 2007, he served as an adjunct, teaching in the FSA and Homeland Security and Emergency Management programs. In 2021, he was appointed as the Program Director and Assistant Professor for FSA, where he continues to impart his knowledge and expertise to the students. He started his career in 1984 with the Cole-Collister Fire District in Boise. He transferred to Boise Fire Department in 1988, where he worked for 21 years and achieved the rank of deputy chief. In 2008, he became the fire chief of the city of Chula Vista, where he implemented a new paramedic program and developed a fire facility master plan. From Oct 2014 to May 2019, Dave was the Fire Chief in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Chief Hanneman holds an AAS and BAS in fire service technology from Boise State University and an M.Ed. in professional technical education from the University of Idaho. He serves as Chair of the Committee on Incident Management Teams with the National Fire Protection Association and contributes to several publications in the Fire Service. Since 2008, he has been designated as chief fire officer of the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He has provided instruction in many fire and EMS service areas, including leadership, incident management, and public information.
Donna White, PhD
Law Enforcement, Volunteer Management, Homeland Security
Donna White spent more than 20 years in law enforcement, working with three different agencies in California, rising to the rank of commander. Before her law enforcement career, she was an entrepreneur and private business owner developing, running, and selling several small businesses. Donna has a deep commitment to working with law enforcement volunteers, serving as the first designated full-time Volunteer Coordinator for the Pasadena Police Department, managing 150 volunteers in homeland security areas. Ms. White has facilitated workshops in Volunteer Management in Public Safety, Organizational and Employee Preparedness, Leadership, Community Policing, and other Homeland Security-related issues. She has instructed in the United States, Canada, and Eastern Europe.
Ms. White holds a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne, a Master’s the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and a Master of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. In 2009 she was chosen to serve as the Naval Postgraduate School Distinguished Fellow assigned to the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C.
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Jackie Lindsey
In October 2022, Jackie Lindsey, M.A. completed her distinguished career in public
safety after retiring as the Fire Chief for Santa Fe County Fire Department in Santa Fe,
New Mexico. With 22 years as a career and volunteer firefighter, the New Mexico
secretary of homeland security and emergency management, a two-year term on the
FEMA National Advisory Council, years of specialization in leadership, project
management, and command positions, law enforcement, emergency management,
several emergency operations centers, disaster medicine, and paramedicine, she served
in local, state, federal, and international jurisdictions. As a paramedic/firefighter with
the Albuquerque Fire Department for 17 years. She spent a lot of time developing and
writing policies and procedures for fire operations, special operations, emergency
management, homeland security, and community risk reduction. She has led several
specialty divisions, including the emergency operations center, fire investigations, special
operations, and emergency response. She was an educator in the cadet programs,
paramedic, and emergency medicine educator for over 15 years. She earned a Master of
Security Studies, graduating with distinction from the Naval Postgraduate School Center
for Homeland Defense and Security. Ms. Lindsey feels a great sense of duty to share her
experiences and help younger developing leaders in the homeland security and
emergency management enterprise. Ms. Lindsey is also a two-time Canadian Olympic
Softball player, a wife, and, most importantly, the mother of a 15-year-old daughter.
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Jason Nairn, Ed.D CISSP
Office: CIO, VP of Information Technology and Security and vCIO, Collegis Education
Jason Nairn serves as Vice President of Information Technology and Security for Collegis Education. He manages and oversees security and asset management for Collegis and its partners and provides Virtual CIO services for two Collegis partner institutions. Before joining Collegis, Jason was Vice President of Information Technology Services at Concordia University–Portland and the Concordia School of Law in Boise, Idaho, where he led all technology service teams and managed operations for the IT services department. Jason has a long career in technology service in higher education and government focused on security and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Jason received his Master’s Degree in Security Studies from the US Naval Postgraduate School and holds a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration.
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Judson Freed
Office: Director, Ramsey County Emergency Management, Minnesota
Judd Freed has over 25 years of experience in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, community risk, resilience and operational continuity, and research protection in the academic, private, and public sectors. He has created and expanded innovative and successful Emergency Management programs at the University of Minnesota - where he served as Director - and as a private consultant. For the past decade, he has served (and continues to do) as Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for one of the nation's most densely populated large urban counties.
Judd is a frequent presenter at conferences throughout the US, a regular guest lecturer on issues of public sector risk and ethics in an age of terrorism at colleges and universities, and is regularly sought out by local media. He is also active in issues about the structure of Homeland Security and the implications too, and impact on local communities and government. He has provided expert testimony to the Minnesota State Legislature and the United States Congress.
Judd serves as Vice Chair of the Justice and Public Safety Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security and Emergency Management at the National Association of Counties; Government Affairs Committee Chair for the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers; member of the Government Affairs Committee of the International Association of Emergency Mangers-USA Council, and helped write the ANSI-approved Emergency Management Standard by EMAP as a member of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) Technical Committee and EMAP Commissioner.
In addition to the "standard" certification courses for professional Emergency Managers in the USA, Judd is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College Homeland Security Planner program and the DeBecker Advanced Threat Assessment and Management Academy. Additionally, Judd holds a Management Certificate from the Carlson School of Management, a BA in US History from the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Art in Security Studies (Homeland Defense and Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School, where his Thesis - "No Failure of Imagination: Examining the Foundational Flaws In America's Homeland Security Enterprise" was selected as a finalist for Outstanding Thesis in 2011.
Karyn Melligan, Ph.D
Dr. Karyn Melligan has more than 15 years of experience in Emergency Management, beginning her career as a wildland firefighter with the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. In her current position as a consultant, she specializes in assisting clients in obtaining Federal Emergency Management and Homeland Security grants and evaluating emergency operations plans. Dr. Melligan is a subject matter expert with the Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Center and has previously taught a wide range of Emergency Management and Homeland Security courses, including but not limited to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Homeland Security, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Typology of Terrorism, and Disaster Planning & Management. Dr. Melligan has Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and three Master’s degrees, including Emergency and Disaster Management, Criminal Justice and Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and a Ph.D. in Public Safety Leadership with a concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Dr. Melligan volunteers with the American Red Cross on a Disaster Action Team, and in her spare time, she enjoys hiking and time with family and friends.
Lewis Eakins PhD, CPP
Vice President for Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness
Office: Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dr. Eakins is the Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness at Ivy Tech Community College – Systems Office with 19 campuses, 50+ sites, and 130,000 students. He has responsibilities for Public Safety, Enterprise Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Continuity, and Federal Compliance. From 2015-2021, Dr. Eakins served as the Director of Public Safety at Idaho State University with overall responsibilities for patrol operations, the dispatch center, parking enforcement, CCTV systems, Bengal card, and emergency management. Before joining Idaho State University, Dr. Eakins served as the Chief of Police at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL, as a Captain with the METRO Transit Police in Houston, TX; and as the Assistant Chief of Police at Texas Southern University, also in Houston, TX. Dr. Eakins is board-certified (CPP) in Security Management by
ASIS International, as well as being certified by FEMA as a Professional Continuity Practitioner (PCP). Dr. Eakins has also received the Certified Emergency Manager designation from the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers. He has held state, national, and international leadership positions in security, law enforcement, and emergency management trade associations. Dr. Eakins has undergraduate degrees in Police Science and Criminal Justice, an M.S. degree in Security Management, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in Homeland Security Policy and Coordination. His research interests are academic continuity, public safety leadership, and law enforcement and
emergency management convergence.
Michael Egnoto, PhD
An experienced PhD Scientist and security engineer specializing in Social and STEM data work with various government agencies. Significant experience in risk management, human factors research, and assessment (both with risk assessments and programmatic assessments). Developed significant policy, procedure, and key-processes for cybersecurity designs and implementations. Experience authoring over 35 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, 50+ Conference and book chapter publications, 14 government reports, technical documents, and protocols. Cross-functional experience in data management, data science, data collection, survey work, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, measure design/development, documentation, field data collection, and research design. Experience with RMF, NIST 800-53A, and other critical cybersecurity core guidance. Direct work for DHS, DOD, NWS, NOAA, CBP, USCIS, FEMA, DARPA, and intelligence agencies. Primary areas of interest are: Cybersecurity, Risk and hazard research, terrorism and sub-state actor groups, small arms/light weapons, kinetic response.
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Peder Humlen
Office: Deputy Chief of EMS, Ada County Paramedics
Peder Humlen currently serves as a Deputy Chief of EMS with an extensive background in emergency management, planning, data analysis, and counter-terrorism. Peder has spent 23 years in public safety, specifically in EMS and Law Enforcement. Peder has overseen large-scale events in Ada County for nearly 14 years, often serving as the Planning Section Chief and Joint- Incident Commander. Peder earned his bachelor's degree in Public Safety Studies through Siena Heights University and his Master's degree in Public Safety Leadership and Administration through Arizona State University. Peder studied abroad in the Middle East while attending Arizona State, focusing on emergency management, international policing, and counter-terrorism. Peder is actively working on his Ph.D. in Public Policy through Liberty University.
Richard Rosell, PhD
Dr. Rich Rosell is a 40+ year law enforcement officer and recently retired Chief of Police for the Town of Indian River Shores, FL. He has served as a Director of Public Safety for two separate New Jersey municipalities and retired as a Captain in the New Jersey State Police. In the State Police, he held numerous tactical, operational, and strategic positions in Field Operations, Special Operations, Homeland Security and the State Office of Emergency Management have managed preparation, response, and recovery efforts for multiple manmade and natural disasters. In 2005, Rich commanded a 140-member LEO Task Force during recovery operations in post-Katrina New Orleans. He has a master’s degree from Seton Hall University, a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and a doctorate from Drew University. He has extensive teaching experience at the graduate level. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Palm Beach/Treasure
Coast Region of the American Red Cross. Rich is a 32-year United States Marine Corps veteran, the New Jersey Army National Guard, and the United States Army Reserve.
Rosemary McDonnell
Dr. Rosemary McDonnell serves as the Senior Disability, Access, and Functional Needs (DAFN) Program Manager at DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, integrating DAFN populations into the emergency planning efforts for the District. She was formerly the Senior Emergency Management Specialist at Northwell Health System’s North Shore University Hospital, and currently serves in a per diem consultancy role in the health system. Before joining Northwell Health, she served as the Assistant Director of Safety & Emergency Planning in the Department of Emergency Management at Hospital for Special Surgery. Prior to that, she served as the Assistant Director of Emergency Training and Operations for Pace University.
Dr. McDonnell earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security from St. John’s University, as well as her Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Leadership. She recently graduated from St. John’s University in January 2023 from the inaugural cohort of their Homeland Security Doctorate of Professional Studies program. She is a graduate of the June 2022 cohort of the Center for Homeland Security Defense & Security’s (CHDS) Emergence Program, as well as the May 2023 CHDS Early Career Radiological Emergency Preparedness program.
Dr. McDonnell serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for articles that fall under her subject matter expertise. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at St. John’s University, as well as an Adjunct Professor at Idaho State University, teaching various emergency management and homeland security courses. She also serves as a Panelist on the Disaster Recovery Institute International Foundation’s annual scholarship selection committee.
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Susan Reinertson
Office: Global Crisis Management Lead, Stripe
Susan Reinertson is an executive-level safety and security professional with global enterprise-wide experience. Impressive and sustained record of success, incident/crisis management skills, business continuity, and extensive senior-level experience directing emergency management programs and staff.
Reinertson joined Stripe in April 2020 as Global Crisis Management Lead, establishing a global Crisis Management Program for the worldwide, Silicon Valley-based financial technology startup. She joined Amtrak in January 2010 and served as its VP & Chief of Emergency Management and Corporate Security.
Before joining Amtrak, Ms. Reinertson was in the Senior Executive Service as a Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency. She also was employed by the State of North Dakota, holding progressively more senior positions before being named Director and Homeland Security Advisor of the North Dakota Division of Emergency Services. In addition to experience at the state and federal levels, her career includes emergency management and public safety experience at the city and county levels. Additionally, Ms. Reinertson served as an appointed Commissioner on the District of Columbia Office of Major Bowser’s Homeland Security Commission.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Disorders (Speech, Language-Pathology) and her Master of Public Administration from the University of North Dakota. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California, and is a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Program, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Additionally, she is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) through DRI International and a graduate of the Railway Management Program at Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business.
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Wayne Machuca, Ph.D
Dr. Wayne Machuca has been the lead instructor for the cyber security degree program with Concordia's partner program at Mt. Hood Community College. He has credentials as Certified Ethical Hacker, Security+, HL7, Oracle Academy Trainer, AccessData Certified Examiner, HL7 Control, and more. In addition, he is a member of the National CyberWatch Center's Curriculum Standards Panel to create the nation's first curriculum model standard for cybersecurity education. He earned his Ph.D. in Business / Management Information Systems from Northcentral University and has a certificate in ministry from Berean University.
Dr. Machuca has been a Professor and Instructor of Computer Technology and Information Systems full-time since 1999 and part-time since 1989, with postings at Mt. Hood Community College, Oregon Institute of Technology, Concordia University, College of the Sequoias (CA), National University, and Idaho State University. While my recent focus has been on Cyber Security degrees, I have also created degree programs in Web Design, Computer Game Development, Technical Support Specialist, and Health Informatics.
William Spencer
Dr. Spencer has served in the field of public safety and administration since 2001 within multiple disciplines at various levels of government. His current position is the Deputy Associate Director of Operations for the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. In this role, he has direct oversight of five bureaus, including Preparedness, Logistics, Readiness & Response, Interoperability, and Safety & Security. Before that position, he served 13 years with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) with the primary responsibility of supporting the Twenty-four counties in western PA and other commonwealth agencies within all mission areas. Before PEMA, he was a municipal Police Officer and a Commissioned Intelligence Officer in the PA Army National Guard. He received a B.A. in Religious Studies and ROTC Commission from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, M.A.s in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from American Military University and a Ph.D. in Administration & Leadership Studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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Zachary Swick, Ph.D
Zachary is actively engaged in the field of homeland security and emergency management. Zachary is an experienced emergency preparedness planner at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Program Coordinator for the State of Oregon. He has played an active role in the State’s Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) during various disasters. Zachary is also an experienced disaster researcher focused on disaster preparedness, resilience, and bridging the knowledge gap between academic research and real-world practice. He is a published author in peer-reviewed academic journals on studies encompassing emergency management, bioterrorism readiness, business continuity, and pandemic preparedness. In addition to teaching courses at Idaho State University, Zachary also taught HSEM courses at Concordia University,
