About
An executive leader with 30 years of progressively responsible experience directing people, programs, and mission-critical operations in complex, high-risk environments. Although my career was built in the fire service, my experience extends well beyond emergency response—encompassing emergency management, health/wellness and safety, organizational resilience/continuity, homeland security, crisis leadership, community risk reduction, and public-sector administration.
Before retiring in 2024, I served as a Division Chief with the Olathe Fire Department, an internationally accredited, ISO Class 1 organization serving approximately 150,000 residents. My executive responsibilities included Special Operations, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Community Health, and Employee Wellness. I provided strategic and operational oversight for multidisciplinary programs involving hazardous materials, technical rescue, bomb squad operations, tactical medical support, community paramedicine/mobile integrated health, wildland & USAR response, unmanned aircraft systems, community preparedness, behavioral health, and regional response partnerships.
Throughout my career, I have led complex initiatives involving risk assessment, emergency planning, continuity of operations, incident command, regulatory and policy compliance, program evaluation, training and exercises, resource management, safety culture, accreditation, and continuous improvement. I have overseen and coordinated a department operations center and municipal emergency operations center, supported multi-jurisdictional incidents and planned events, developed operational and discussion-based exercises, and worked closely with local, county, regional, state, and federal partners.
I hold a master's degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Relations. I am also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and have held the Chief Fire Officer and Kansas Certified Emergency Manager credentials. My professional qualifications include Bluecard incident command, hazardous materials response, incident safety, urban search and rescue deployment, emergency management and planning, intelligence liaison, and homeland security experience.
I am passionate about building high-performing teams, strengthening organizational readiness, reducing risk, and translating strategy into measurable operational results. I bring a collaborative, people-centered leadership style grounded in integrity, preparedness, and data-informed decision-making.
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