Advisory Board

City of Arlington (TX), Deputy City Manager

Former Chief of Police

Theron Bowman is President and CEO of Theron L. Bowman, Inc. Theron has served in numerous capacities with law enforcement, ultimately serving to advance best practices in policing.

Theron began his career in law enforcement as an officer for the Arlington Police Department in 1983. Theron would continue his career in the Arlington Police Department, where, in 1999, he would serve as Chief of Police. Theron has also served as Deputy City Manager for Arlington, Texas. Currently, Theron works as president and CEO of Theron L. Bowman, Inc, and applies his knowledge and experience as a consultant for policing and public safety nationwide, including numerous MLB World Series games and Super Bowl XLV.

Theron is well-known and highly regarded, and has received numerous awards for his work and publications, including the Gary P. Hayes Award, in 2004.

Theron received his Doctorate in Urban and Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Uniformed Firefighters Association

New York, NY

Arch Street LLC

Alexandria, VA

Tim Clancy is President of Arch Street LLC, a strategic consulting firm in the Washington, DC metro region.

Tim has served in senior leadership positions in academia, the private sector, Congress and a federal science agency.  He represented the National Science Foundation (NSF) before Congress in the NSF Office of Legislative and Public Affairs.  He also served two tours as a professional staff member on the House Science Committee and as a Chief of Staff to Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) in the House of Representatives.

Tim has managed and conducted research in cyber security and critical infrastructure protection at George Mason University.  While at Mason he received grants from the NSF and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the fields of cyber security law, policy and economics and has presented at, and organized major international conferences and workshops on cyber security.

Tim has far-reaching science policy expertise having directed major Committee hearings in cyber security, energy and academic research and helped shepherd major legislation enacted into law.  His legislative accomplishments include the Cyber Security Research and Development Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-305), Title II and Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) and research provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109–58).   While on Capitol Hill, he helped oversee the creation of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and the DHS Cybersecurity Division.  Tim also acted as chief liaison for Congressman Boehlert to the Department of Defense and particularly the United States Air Force on issues of information technology and cyber security research and development.

He received his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law in Springfield, MA where he was a member of the Law Review.  Tim also holds a B.A. in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)

Battalion Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department (Ret.)

Lawrence Collins is largely involved, and experienced, in both the fire and emergency management fields. Lawrence began his career in 1977 as an explorer at the Ventura County Fire Department; from 1978 to 1980 as a reserve firefighter, and as a Firefighter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department from 1980 to 2017. Lawrence served the Los Angeles County Fire Department as a Paramedic for 30 years, as well.

In addition to firefighting, Lawrence served as a leader across ranks in California’s Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 2, as well as USAR-1, USAR Task Force 103 and Air Ops, since 1991. Further, Lawrence championed various firefighting safety programs during his tenure, and was instrumental in the development of multiple rescue programs, including swiftwater rescue.

Currently, Lawrence sits as Deputy Fire Chief of the Special Operations and Hazardous Materials Section for the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Lawrence also works as a consultant for disaster preparedness, and technical advisor, and maintains his role as USAR Specialist and Deputy of Operations.

Former Director of Program Development, Police Executive Research Forum

Clifford Karchmer brings almost five decades of law enforcement and national security research experience to any position he seeks. Currently, Clifford provides public safety research to international clients as Director of Special Research at Jefferson Waterman International, as well as a Research Fellow at the Police Foundation.

Internationally, Clifford worked as Senior Advisor for Wildlife Conservation for the Richardson Center for Global Engagement; prior to this position, Clifford served as Director of Program Development at the Police Executive Research Forum, for whom he had spent 19 years working with. Clifford also served as Research Scientist, and eventually Project Director, for the Battelle Memorial Institute for 9 years.

Clifford received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School, and his AB at Princeton University.

Seattle Police Department

Clark Kimerer served the Seattle Police Department for over 31 years, eventually holding the rank of Deputy Chief. Prior to this position, Clark held positions in the Department's SWAT Team. Commander of their West Precinct, Vice and Narcotics Section, and Deputy Chief of Operations. 

Clark is a well versed, well published leader in evidence-based research with regards to policing. Since 2004, Clark led Seattle’s Neighborhood Policing Project, a project that aims to tailor the needs of policing for each individual neighborhood. Clark was also instrumental in bringing treatment for drug addiction to the table as a means of combating drugs in Seattle. Clark also brings his experience internationally, recently leading the first Leadership in Counterterrorism program in Australia. 

Clark received his Bachelor’s Degree Northwestern University.

President Emeritus
International International Association of EMS Chiefs

Paul Maniscalco is a name widely known throughout the Emergency Medical Services field. Paul spent 22 years as a career Paramedic with the City of New York, retiring with the rank of Deputy Chief, where he played a large role in disaster management planning for the City. Paul’s responsibilities have also included planning and training for a wide variety of scenarios nationally, as well as internationally, in countries such as China, Haiti, Rwanda, and Turkey. 

Paul is also published a broad array of professional journals relating disaster preparedness, emergency management, fire services, and special operations, notably as a collaborating author for the Johns Hopkins and Red Cross / Red Crescent Public Health Guide for Emergencies. Additionally, Paul served as an appointee the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council from 2002 to 2011, as well as an appointee to the Gilmore Commission. 

Paul has earned multiple awards for his work, including the NAEMT’s Rocco V. Morando Lifetime Achievement Award, and, in 2010, was elected President Emeritus of the IAEMSC. 

Paul received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and an additional Master’s Degree in Emergency Services Management from The George Washington University.

EMS Coordinator for Saratoga County, NY

Michael McEvoy currently serves as EMS Chief for Saratoga County, New York. Michael is greatly experienced in the field of emergency medical services, as seen in his positions and publications.

In addition to EMS Chief, Michael also works as a critical care nurse in cardiothoracic surgery at the Albany Medical Center, a hospital where he chairs their resuscitation committee. At the West Crescent Fire Department, Michael serves as chief medical officer, and at Clifton Park & Halfmoon Ambulance, he serves as paramedic supervisor.

Michael works as the EMS Editor for Fire Engineering magazine, a columnist at the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, and is the head editor for the Jones & Bartlett Publishers’ Critical Care Transport, as well.

Director, Office of Emergency Management

State of Oregon

Andrew Phelps currently serves the state of Oregon as their Emergency Management Director, and has served in this capacity for over 4 years. Andrew brings to this position a breadth of knowledge and experience. 

Andrew began his career in emergency management as a member of New York City’s Community Emergency Response Team recognized by FEMA; Andrew would later go on to serve as Rescue Team Chief. Afterwards, Andrew would bring his experience to New Mexico, serving as Local Preparedness Program Manager for their Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which would eventually bring him to the position of Emergency Manager for the City of Santa Fe. 

Andrew received his Masters Degree in Homeland Security at the Naval Postgraduate School, and his Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Planning and Management at John Jay College.

National Police Foundation

Frank Straub is a veteran of law enforcement and police studies, with 30 years of experience behind him. Frank started his career in law enforcement as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in 1984. Frank would later work as a Special Agent for the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and, in 1990, as a Special Agent for the Inspector General. In 2001, Frank served the New York City Police Department as Deputy Commissioner of Training; most recently, Frank served as Chief of Police for the Spokane Police Department, from 2012 to 2015. 

Currently, Frank utilizes his experience in law enforcement to advanced police studies, and to implement programs and strategies to combat terrorism nationwide. Frank serves as both the Director of the Center for Targeted Violence Prevention at the National Policing Institute (formerly known as the Police Foundation). He is a Non-Resident Fellow in the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

Department of Law and Police Science

John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)

Fire Chief, Decatur, Georgia

Toni Washington joined the City of Decatur in January 2009 as the first African American and first female to serve as the Fire Chief/Emergency Manager. She was the fourth African American female fire chief in the nation’s history. Her work involves planning and managing the operations of the fire department in fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency management, and emergency medical services. Chief Washington has worked diligently to educate the public on fire safety. She began her public safety career at State Fire Marshal’s Office; and then to a Metro Atlanta fire department where she promoted up to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.

Before beginning her tenure in the public safety field, Chief Washington attended Savannah State University where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management. After mapping her career path, she expanded her education and received a Master of Science in Managerial Leadership from National Louis University. In addition, she has attended the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University, the National Fire Academy and received her Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Her corporate background includes employment with the Turner Home Entertainment Marketing and Public Relations Team; serving on the staff of actress Jane Fonda and working with the Cobb Microenterprise Council. Other professional achievements consist of a vast amount of supplemental training and certifications.

Chief Washington’s professional affiliations include: Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, Black Chief Officers Committee, The Chair of Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, Center for Public Safety Excellence - Commission on Professional Credentialing - Diversity Commissioner, Women in Fire Vice President, Decatur Career Academy Advisory Council, Chair for Georgia Piedmont College Fire Science Program Advisory Committee, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Georgia State Firefighters Association and various mentoring programs.

Department of Security, Fire, and Emergency Management

John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York

Charles Jennings has served as founding Director of the Center. In that capacity he manages all aspects of the Center's operations, including grant and contract management, organizing the seminar series, and forming partnerships with public safety agencies. Charles is Associate Professor in the Department of Security, Fire, and Emergency Management John Jay College of Criminal Justice. On faculty since 1997, Charles also Directs and was principal proponent for the College's graduate course offerings in emergency management, including their Master of Science in Emergency Management degree.

Charles has a broad public safety background, having served operational posts as a firefighter, fire officer, and Emergency Medical Technician, and administrative positions overseeing police, fire, EMS, and emergency management as Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety for the City of White Plains (NY), and Chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners for the City of Ithaca.

Charles has a Doctorate in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University, Master's in City and Planning and Fire Protection Management from Cornell and John Jay College, respectively, and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. Charles is also a credentialed Chief Fire Officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, and a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers.