Restoring the Ranks

Assistant CAO 

 Dr. Earl Stoddard, who has been a key figure during the County’s response to the COVID-19 efforts, has served as the Director of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) since January 2016. In this capacity and as the Governor’s appointed Emergency Manager for the County, Dr. Stoddard has overseen the County’s emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and prevention programs. This includes leadership of the County Emergency Operations Center and OEMHS field operations. He played a major role in the coordination of the County’s response to numerous events including the January 2016 blizzard, Arliss Street building explosion and fire recovery, 2017 and 2021 Presidential Inaugurations, and the COVID-19 response and recovery.  
 
From 2014 to 2015, Dr. Stoddard previously served as the program administrator for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). PHEPR maintains the County’s Public Health All Hazards Response Plan, builds the County capability to dispense medical countermeasures, and fosters partnerships with key county stakeholders, including the healthcare infrastructure and long-term care facilities. From 2009 to 2014, Dr. Stoddard worked with the University of Maryland Center of Health and Homeland Security first as a senior policy analyst and later as the program manager for Public Health Preparedness.  
 
Dr. Stoddard earned his Bachelor of Science with a concentration in biotechnology from the University of Delaware in 2002, his doctorate in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008, and his Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2009.  

Dawn Luedtke is a first-term Councilmember representing District 7 of Montgomery County, Md. As a member of the Council’s Public Safety and Health and Human Services Committees, Councilmember Luedtke has worked collaboratively with law enforcement to fund and expand innovative tools such as the Drone as First Responder program, enhance and formalize crisis response procedures, and invest in recruitment, retention, and workforce development for police officers and emergency call center operators. 

Councilmember Luedtke chairs Montgomery County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission and represents the Council on the County’s Human Trafficking Prevention Committee. 

Prior to being elected to the Council in 2022, she was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland, where she served as Counsel to State agencies and offices, including the Maryland Center for School Safety and Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Work Group, which informed her work helping to develop the state’s Model Behavioral Threat Assessment Policy for K-12 Schools. 

With a lifelong dedication to public service, Chief Marc Yamada has carved an illustrious career path marked by leadership, innovation, and community engagement. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from Frostburg State University, Chief Yamada embarked on a journey that would shape the safety and well-being of Montgomery County and its residents. 

Throughout Chief Yamada's tenure spanning over three decades with the Montgomery County Department of Police, he has exemplified unwavering commitment, rising through the ranks while leaving an indelible mark at each level. As the Assistant Chief of Police in the Field Services Bureau, he orchestrates the department's strategic initiatives, including the pioneering "Drones as First Responder" Program, reinforcing the department's efficacy in emergent situations. 

Notably, Chief Yamada served as the Police Commander for the 4th District, spearheading comprehensive oversight of patrol operations and supervising a diverse team of sworn and civilian personnel. He earned esteemed recognition, including the Chief J. Thomas Manger Excellence in Leadership Award, attesting to his prowess in fostering collaboration and achieving operational excellence. 

In his capacity as the Captain of the Community Engagement Division, Chief Yamada championed inclusivity and cohesion, forging robust partnerships with community organizations such as UNITY, Every Mind, and Fit Fathers. He was instrumental in establishing liaison work groups at local high schools and pioneering the department's LGBTQ+ liaison group, fostering trust and understanding within diverse communities. 

Prior to his command roles, Chief Yamada held pivotal positions, from Lieutenant in the Deputy Director Major Crimes Division to Sergeant in the Policy & Planning Division, where he played a pivotal role in achieving departmental goals and spearheading initiatives such as the development of a new social media policy. 

Chief Yamada is a member of the Major Cities Chief’s Association, the Maryland Chief’s Association, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the International Association Chiefs of Police (IACP). Beyond his professional endeavors, Chief Yamada remains dedicated to mentorship, guiding aspiring officers seeking professional advancement, and contributing to the cultivation of future leaders within the department.

Joel Pope is a San Antonio Police Officer with 29 years of law enforcement experience, currently serving in the Chief’s Office Community Engagement Unit. His work focuses on building meaningful community relationships, increasing police legitimacy, and promoting procedural justice.

For 16 years, Joel developed scenario-based training programs rooted in stress control techniques and performance psychology, enhancing officer decision-making during critical incidents. A published co-author in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, he has also presented his research on community engagement impacts to the National Academies of Sciences Behavioral Economics Conference.

Joel pioneered the use of Performance Recovery Optimization techniques within the San Antonio Police Department, earning national recognition for officer wellness programs, including presentation before the U.S. Congress. He has consulted for the Department of Justice and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, while remaining dedicated to mentoring youth and strengthening community trust in San Antonio.

 Joel is married to Brittany and has three children, two grandchildren.

Joel holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University- [1996]; and a TCOLE Master Peace Officer License.

Major Holland currently serves as a Deputy Director of the Bureau of Administrative and Support Services (BASS). Holland was promoted to the rank of Major as of September 25, 2022, after having served as the Division Commander at the Virginia State Police Training Division since 2017. He graduated from the Virginia State Police Academy in 2000 as a member of the 100th Basic Session. Holland’s first patrol assignment was in the Richmond Division Area 8 Office in Henrico County and Richmond City where he served as a State Trooper. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2006 as a supervisor in the Sex Offender Investigative Unit. In 2010, he advanced to First Sergeant and was assigned to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s (BCI) High-Tech Crimes Division. In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and served the next seven years at the VSP Academy in that position, until becoming the Training Director in 2017. 

Holland, a native of Powhatan County, graduated summa cum laude from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, with a concentration in criminal justice. He also graduated from the University of Virginia’s 9th Session of the National Criminal Justice Command College in 2014. 

Lieutenant Patrick L. Green is currently the Staff Lieutenant for the Virginia State Police’s Bureau of Administrative and Support Services.  He graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University and is a graduate of the 20th Session of the University of Virginia’s National Criminal Justice Command College.  He is a military veteran, serving in the United States Navy from 2000-2008 as a hospital corpsman.

He is a graduate of the 107th Basic Session in 2004, serving within a variety of roles throughout his 21-year law enforcement career, to include Tactical Operations, the Governor’s Protective Detail, and a Training Coordinator at the Virginia State Police Academy. In his current role he participates in a variety of high-level projects at the request of the Department’s Executive Staff.  His most recent assignment was the development of a robust recruitment strategy and branding campaign, the results of which earned him the Superintendent’s Award for Merit in 2025.

Currently, Sgt. Dareick Barr serves as a Sergeant in the Office of Background Investigations and Credentialing.

His professional journey commenced in 2007, following his graduation from Ohio University with a degree in Sociology and Criminology. 

During the initial fifteen years of my career, he was assigned to our agency’s Capitol Division, where his responsibilities encompassed VIP protection, securing special events, security screening and emergency response.

Throughout my professional career, he had the privilege of assisting with five Presidential Inaugurations, 18 State of the Union addresses, the Pope’s visit to Washington, and numerous other significant historical events.

Four years ago, he was assigned to the recruitment section within our Office of Background Investigations and Credentialing, where he has been instrumental in assisting with coordinating our agency’s recruitment initiatives and focusing on the functionality of our hiring process. Our goal is to ensure that our hiring process is both efficient and effective, while simultaneously evolving to capture the next generation of federal law enforcement professionals.

Additionally, he currently hold the position of acting supervisory security specialist, where he is responsible for assisting in leading our badge and credentialing operations.

Daily, he has the unique opportunity to engage with potential law enforcement candidates across the country through various means, including discussion panels, classroom presentations, and career fairs. He is deeply passionate about providing individuals with comprehensive information about the diverse career paths and opportunities that our agency offers.

Mike Boward has over 31 years of law enforcement experience, including more than 26 years with the Fort Collins Police Department in Colorado. He currently serves as a Sergeant in the Personnel and Training Unit, where he oversees training, recruiting, hiring, and background investigations.

Previously, Boward worked as a Patrol Sergeant and as a Training Officer within the same unit, managing key recruitment and training initiatives. His career also includes more than six years as a Criminal Investigations Detective and service as a Field Training Officer.

An experienced instructor and speaker, Boward has presented and served as chairperson at numerous national conferences on topics such as recruitment and retention, women in policing, and officer mental health and wellness. He has also taught a wide range of courses locally and nationally, including Recruiting and Hiring Strategies, Robbery Investigations, Auto Theft, and Criminal Interdiction. In addition, he is a member of the Fort Collins Police Academy staff.

Mike Boward holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Andrews University.

2025 Emergency Operations Center of the Future Conference Speaker

Tipi Brookins is a native of Gloucester County, New Jersey, and is a seasoned Public Safety Communications professional with over twenty-three years of experience. She began her career as a 971 Call Taker, Dispatcher, Communications Training Officer, Training and Quality Assurance Specialist, and 911 Supervisor, having filled the shoes of a first responder. Tipi has worked in many roles that include Teletype Unit Manager for the DC Metropolitan Police Department, Training and Quality Assurance Manager, Chief of the Office of Professional Standards and Development, and Chief of Staff for the DC Office of Unified Communications. In that latter position, she handles several units, including the Wellness Program and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.  She has proven skills, expertise, and mastery when designing, developing, implementing, and coordinating organizational development and training programs. Tipi also has a desire for organizational change. She was named Chair of the Training Subcommittee for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in 2022, received her Center Manager Certification from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), serves with the Association of Public Safety Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, and currently chairs the agency's Culture task force. Tipi inspires and encourages others to lead by example with purpose and integrity and to develop the future leaders of tomorrow.

Demeka Owens is the first Wellness Coordinator at The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) in the nation’s capital. In this role she is responsible for developing and implementing wellness programs to promote wellness for employees at OUC. She serves as an ambassador for employee well-being. Demeka is OUC's main point of contact on wellness-related programs and campaigns, assist DCHR with monitoring and evaluation to ensure that employees are effectively engaged with substantive programming. She encourages employee participation in wellness activities and creates enthusiasm around leading a healthy lifestyle.

She began her Behavioral Health Career in the private sector working with children, adults and families in the Washington DC metropolitan area utilizing evidenced-based practices to provide effective strategies to maintain a healthy wellbeing. Throughout Demeka’s 15-year career in Behavioral Health, she seeks to provide a person-centered approach focusing on the person. Demeka was recognized as the Wellness Leader Highlight from DCHR Wellness Department in the issue of the August 2024 Newsletter.

Demeka is a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) registered with the Virginia Board of Counseling. She has a BS in Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Divinity from The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and is currently pursuing a Master of Clinical Social Work (MSW) from The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. 

Jillian Eidson serves as the Charleston Police Department’s Research and Strategic Planning Director. She is focused on increasing evidence-based initiatives in law enforcement policy and practice. In her current role, Dr. Eidson manages special projects and grants, facilitates research collaborations, and provides guidance on research methods and conclusions. Before this role, she worked as a research director and probation officer at a large, urban, county-level supervision department. Dr. Eidson has experience supporting and managing a variety of research projects in both academic and applied settings, covering a range of topics, including cognitive behavioral therapy, gang desistance, risk and need assessments, opioid use disorder, and law enforcement officer empathy. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Temple University.

Dr. Jeremy M. Wilson is a Professor of the School of Criminal Justice and Founding Director of the Police Staffing Observatory at Michigan State University (MSU), where he also founded and directed the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection and the Program on Police Consolidation and Shared Services. Prior to joining MSU, Dr. Wilson was a Behavioral Scientist at the RAND Corporation, where he led the development of the Center on Quality Policing and the Police Recruitment and Retention Clearinghouse. He has held a wide variety of appointments and honorary titles at prestigious institutions around the world, and he has served as an instructor for numerous law enforcement, brand protection, and supply chain training programs. As a scholar, educator, advisor, and consultant, Dr. Wilson has collaborated with a wide range of public and private institutions on many complex public safety problems, and he has led over $15M of projects sponsored by the U.S. Congress, various units of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Interior, community and institutional foundations, local governments, police departments, professional associations, and multinational corporations. He has written over 180 publications on police staffing and personnel planning, organizational consolidation, resource allocation, performance assessment and ROI, community policing, brand protection, product counterfeiting, field interventions for violence prevention, data and measurement, empirical modeling and evaluation. For his contributions to police research and practice, he was named a Distinguished Scholar by the American Society of Criminology Division on Policing, and the Police Section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences honored him with the O.W. Wilson Award. He won the Outstanding Book Award from the American Society of Criminology Division on White Collar and Corporate Crime, and the MSU Innovation Center recognized him with the Corporate Connector Award for his extensive partnership building with industry. He has received additional leadership, research, service, and supervisory awards by the American Society of Criminology, RAND Corporation, The Ohio State University, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Johnson & Johnson, Underwriters Laboratories, and the City of Lansing. For more information, see https://jeremywilson.org/.

Dr. Tanya Meisenholder is the Director of Police Research at the NYU School of Law’s Policing Project, where she leads the 30x30 Initiative to advance and support women in policing. She also supports initiatives related to alternative response models, public safety technology, and legislation.

Tanya brings nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement, primarily with the New York City Police Department, where she served in senior leadership roles including Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner. She led major efforts to transform training, accountability, recruitment, and organizational culture, and has supported national initiatives, oversight bodies, and local strategies to strengthen trust between police and the communities they serve.

Her work focuses on translating research into action to help agencies implement measurable improvements in policy, workplace culture, and public safety outcomes. She has guided organizational change across complex public safety systems and continues to support cross-sector collaboration to build more fair and effective agencies.

Tanya earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany (SUNY), is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, and holds certifications as a Modern Chief Diversity Officer and in Equal Employment Opportunity investigations from Cornell University. She serves on the advisory boards of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety, and has held advisory roles with the National Center for State Courts and the NYC Mayor’s Automated Decision Systems Task Force.

Dr. Rylan Simpson is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. He received his Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine. As a court-recognized expert in policing, Dr. Simpson conducts research related to public perceptions of police, police organizations, and police effectiveness. He approaches his research using a variety of different methodologies, including experimental and quantitative analyses. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his policing scholarship and engagement with policing officials, including from the Academy of Experimental Criminology, the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Policing, and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology’s Policing Thematic Group. He is also the Chair of the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Experimental Criminology, a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Research Advisory Committee, a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police’s Research Advisory Committee, and a former mentor for the Canadian Society of Evidence-Based Policing’s Virtual Scholar Program. Motivated by frontline experiences, Dr. Simpson has participated in more than 1,700 hours of ride-alongs with police agencies from around the world, including in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as worked as a police dispatcher since 2012.

Dominic has been developing and implementing innovative software solutions since 2001, leading multiple ventures across enterprise systems, public sector technology, and consumer-facing platforms. His career blends deep technical expertise with a strong foundation in organizational strategy, giving him a unique perspective on solving complex operational challenges through technology. Whether streamlining internal workflows, enhancing user experiences, or driving measurable improvements, Dominic has consistently focused on aligning technology with real-world, practical goals.

In addition to his entrepreneurial achievements, Dominic brings public sector leadership experience to his work. He served both as a sworn officer and professional staff member with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC. As Director of the Strategic Engagement Office, he partnered closely with the recruitment division and agency leadership to design and launch innovative, data-driven technologies to modernize hiring practices. His efforts contributed to a 40% increase in qualified applicants, demonstrating the powerful intersection of strategic technology use and public sector mission needs.

Today, as CEO of RecruitApp.ai, Dominic is leading the next evolution in recruitment technology. RecruitApp.ai is purpose-built to help agencies attract, engage, and hire top talent faster and more efficiently. Under his leadership, the platform leverages data analytics, automation, and intuitive tools to modernize candidate outreach, optimize evaluation processes, and provide actionable insights for recruitment teams. By combining simplicity, speed, and smart design, RecruitApp.ai empowers organizations to build stronger applicant pipelines, strengthen hiring outcomes, and address staffing challenges with greater agility.

Throughout his career, Dominic has remained passionate about using technology to solve problems and unlock new opportunities, helping both private and public sector organizations achieve their missions more effectively.

Kym Craven is a recognized leader in law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and retention. With over three decades of experience, she has worked with more than 400 agencies nationwide—including San Francisco, Boston, NY/NJ Port Authority, the State of Vermont, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Pierce County (WA), and Dallas Area Rapid Transit—helping them develop strategies to attract, hire, and retain qualified officers.

Ms. Craven has led national initiatives to increase the number of women in law enforcement, improve retention, and support professional development through mentoring and training. As a founding partner and initial steering committee member, she contributed to the original design of 30x30 documents.  She was a subject matter expert for the NIJ From Research to Reality project with RTI, which analyzed the applicant pool for law enforcement careers, and the ASPIRE project, which focused on building career pathways into the profession in the HBCUs, HIS, and women-serving campuses. She has served as a subject matter expert for the DOJ Collaborative Reform Initiative - Technical Assistance Center for seven years and contributed to the BJA and COPS summit on recruitment, hiring, and retention.

Her expertise has been shared during conferences for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Sub-Saharan Police Conference, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, National Sheriffs Association, the World Police Summitt, the U.S. Department of Justice, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, International Association of Women in Law Enforcement, and several state association conferences. In addition, she has published articles and participated in podcasts on what works—not only to recruit and hire—but to keep officers engaged and committed to the profession.

Ms. Craven holds a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Lowell and an MA from Anna Maria College, and a policing certification from the Northeast Regional Police Academy.

Pending Biography

Ganesha M. Martin, Esq. is a leading expert in human-centered policing and the founder of "Let’s Meet in the Middle," an initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration between law enforcement and communities of color. Currently, she serves as the Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing for the Minneapolis Police Department.  She previously served as the Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs at Mark43, a cutting-edge, cloud-native public safety software company. In this role, Martin drives initiatives that leverage technology to enhance accountability, transparency and trust between police agencies and the communities they serve. 

A trailblazer in criminal justice reform, Martin has held several key leadership positions in Baltimore City government, most recently as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ). There, she led comprehensive criminal justice reform efforts in collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the judiciary and numerous community organizations. 

As an attorney, Martin played a central role in leading the federal court-ordered Consent Decree reform efforts at the Baltimore Police Department from 2015 to 2018. As Chief of the Department of Justice Compliance, Accountability and External Affairs Division, she was an integral member of the negotiation team that introduced transformative reforms in areas such as crisis intervention, use of force, mental health interventions, body-worn cameras, de-escalation tactics, community policing, officer wellness and early intervention systems. These reforms continue to serve as a model for law enforcement agencies nationwide. 

A pioneer in public-private partnerships, Martin is committed to building nontraditional relationships that bridge divides and create opportunities for collaboration in public safety. In her current consulting work, she focuses on uniting law enforcement with communities of color, using her unique ability to connect with both sides and guide them toward common ground. She regularly advises nonprofits, private companies, tech startups, community organizations and local governments on best practices for policing, public safety and community engagement. 

Martin is a respected thought leader in the field of criminal justice reform and public safety. She is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to advancing effective criminal justice policies. In 2019, she was one of 40 community policing experts invited to Nairobi, Kenya, by the Open Society Foundations to discuss strategies for civilian police reform. That same year, she was awarded the Securing Open Societies Fellowship. Her expert commentary on police reform, accountability and social justice has been featured in prominent publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Baltimore Sun, and The Baltimore Banner. 

Known for her ability to navigate complex issues and overcome entrenched distrust, Martin is driven by a belief in the transformative power of communication and human connection. Her approach fosters collaboration across polarized groups and drives progress on some of society’s most challenging social issues. Her goal is to create practical pathways for police departments and communities to work together toward a safer and more equitable future. 

Outside of her professional work, Martin is a passionate advocate for social justice and community empowerment. She serves as co-board chair for Teach For America  Baltimore, Outward Bound, the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, and Overcoming Poverty Together. She was recently appointed to 30x30, a grassroots movement dedicated to increasing the representation of women in policing by 30% by 2030. A graduate of Leadership Maryland and the Greater Baltimore Committee’s LEADERship program, Martin has been recognized for her leadership and impact by organizations such as The Baltimore Sun (Top 25 Women to Watch), The Daily Record (Top 100 Women), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) (Top 40 Under 40). 

Jarrod Burguan served 29 years in local law enforcement, including 10 years in senior management roles. He was the Chief of Police for the San Bernardino (CA) Police Department for 6 years before retiring in 2019.  

Throughout his career, Jarrod held various positions in patrol, traffic, investigations, and administration. He has the unique experience of managing a police department through a municipal bankruptcy while maintaining daily operations. He has spoken at conferences and training events across the country and internationally on police responses to active shooter incidents, including the 2016 elementary school shooting and the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino. 

Since retiring, Chief Burguan has worked as a consultant for municipal governments and media organizations and has served abroad as a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor for the Department of Justice – ICITAP in Nepal, Belize, and the Philippines. He also continues to teach and speak on critical incident management nationwide. Jarrod holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Redlands. He is a graduate of the California Command College, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development program, and the Senior Management Institute for Police through PERF. 

Katie is a senior communications strategist at Julie Parker Communications with more than 15 years of experience in TV news, as a reporter and anchor at WUSA 9, ABC 7 WJLA, FOX 45 Baltimore, and News 12 Networks. She now helps manage public safety communications at a D1 California university and advises universities on messaging about demonstrations, the First Amendment and emergency operations in today's challenging landscape.

Previously, she produced a documentary called Justice for Ethan, which features the Montgomery County Police Department's groundbreaking autism and dementia unit. She also served as a political correspondent at News 12 serving New Jersey and New York, where she hosted a weekly show, Power & Politics, and led coverage of several federal corruption trials.

Tayleb is a communications strategist specializing in law enforcement. As the former public information officer for the James City County (VA) Police Department, he directed crisis communications, authored hundreds of news releases, and elevated the department’s digital presence across platforms. He led a full departmental rebrand, overhauled the agency’s public information policies, and advanced key initiatives in recruitment marketing and community engagement. Tayleb will assists in creating JPC’s customized presentations and crisis communications tabletop exercises for our clients across North America, and is the project lead for Julie Parker Communications University (JPCU).

Kym Craven is a recognized leader in law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and retention. With over three decades of experience, she has worked with more than 400 agencies nationwide—including San Francisco, Boston, NY/NJ Port Authority, the State of Vermont, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Pierce County (WA), and Dallas Area Rapid Transit—helping them develop strategies to attract, hire, and retain qualified officers.

Ms. Craven has led national initiatives to increase the number of women in law enforcement, improve retention, and support professional development through mentoring and training. As a founding partner and initial steering committee member, she contributed to the original design of 30x30 documents.  She was a subject matter expert for the NIJ From Research to Reality project with RTI, which analyzed the applicant pool for law enforcement careers, and the ASPIRE project, which focused on building career pathways into the profession in the HBCUs, HIS, and women-serving campuses. She has served as a subject matter expert for the DOJ Collaborative Reform Initiative - Technical Assistance Center for seven years and contributed to the BJA and COPS summit on recruitment, hiring, and retention.

Her expertise has been shared during conferences for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Sub-Saharan Police Conference, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, National Sheriffs Association, the World Police Summitt, the U.S. Department of Justice, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, International Association of Women in Law Enforcement, and several state association conferences. In addition, she has published articles and participated in podcasts on what works—not only to recruit and hire—but to keep officers engaged and committed to the profession.

Ms. Craven holds a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Lowell and an MA from Anna Maria College, and a policing certification from the Northeast Regional Police Academy.

Dr. Charles J. Oakley is a nationally recognized public safety executive, author, and strategist with more than 28 years of service in law enforcement and public administration. A retired Captain from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, he directed the Professional Development Center at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, where he oversaw leadership development and the training of more than 2,500 officers. 

He earned his PhD in Public Administration, where his research on moral panic and policy advanced understanding of how fear-driven narratives influence law enforcement practices, officer retention, and public trust. Bridging scholarship and practice, Dr. Oakley helps agencies confront today’s challenges of recruitment, retention, and legitimacy in a polarized environment. 

As a Fellow at the Future Policing Institute, he contributes thought leadership on organizational change, executive decision-making, and other pressing issues in law enforcement. A sought-after speaker at academic, professional, and policy forums, Dr. Oakley equips agencies with actionable strategies to align personnel, policy, and practices. His 3P framework: People, Policy, Practice; provides a proven model for restoring the ranks, strengthening retention, and ensuring policing remains both effective and trusted into the future. 

Biography pending

Stephen James, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Elson S Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane. His research focus includes the interaction between physical stressors [such asleep related fatigue], law, policy, training and practice relating to operational performance for military and law enforcement personnel. Dr. James strives to better understand the dynamics of performance in a wide variety of military and policing tasks; driving, citizen encounters, crisis intervention, and deadly force encounters. 

Dr. James utilizes simulation technology to evaluate training and performance of military and law enforcement personnel. This research has led to more effective, and more cost effective, training and greater public safety. To date his research has been foundational in the development of the DARPA Strategic Social Interaction Module Tactical Social Interaction training development, a program designed to teach young warfighters and law enforcement the balance between tactical considerations and relationship building; the creation of an Enhanced-CIT, a program to move beyond the Memphis model; and the ground up rewriting of the Oregon Basic Police Academy, one that is evidence based and research driven. Dr. James also sits on a number of law enforcement focused committees and working groups including the Department of Homeland Security Human Factors Engineering Community of Practice, the Chicago PD EIS National Advisory Council, and the Spokane Mental Health Committee. Dr. James was a member of the SAFE Driving Initiative for California POST research team.

Prior to becoming an academic Dr. James spent more than 20 years in the British infantry as a solider and officer; serving in Cyprus, the Former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan.

Antoinette Tull is the founder of Hurtle LLC, a consultancy specializing in leadership development, public safety HR, and executive searches. With more than 25 years of experience as an HR strategist, facilitator, and executive search consultant, she has strengthened organizations across public safety, human services, and nonprofits.

Antoinette previously served as Chief of Human Resources for the Richmond (VA) Police Department, then the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Virginia, where she oversaw all aspects of HR. She became nationally recognized for her expertise in recruitment, retention, and leadership development, which remain central to her work today. She now partners with municipalities, universities, and other public sector organizations nationwide to deliver strategic HR solutions, provide leadership training, and lead executive searches for transformational leaders in police departments and beyond.

A sought-after trainer and facilitator, Antoinette is known for creating interactive, practical learning experiences on topics such as best practices in recruitment and retention, inclusive leadership, and organizational wellness. She also contributes her expertise through service on the 30x30 Initiative Advisory Board and her volunteer work with the Urban League of Greater Richmond, Henrico County Police, and the Chesterfield County Personnel Appeals Board.

After majoring in Human Resource Management at the University of Richmond, she obtained professional HR certifications, including PHR, SHRM-CP, HRPM, and DEI. Recognized as both a practitioner and thought leader, she continues to shape the future of HR in public safety through her strategic leadership and community service. 

Jarrod Burguan served 29 years in local law enforcement, including 10 years in senior management roles. He was the Chief of Police for the San Bernardino (CA) Police Department for 6 years before retiring in 2019.  

Throughout his career, Jarrod held various positions in patrol, traffic, investigations, and administration. He has the unique experience of managing a police department through a municipal bankruptcy while maintaining daily operations. He has spoken at conferences and training events across the country and internationally on police responses to active shooter incidents, including the 2016 elementary school shooting and the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino. 

Since retiring, Chief Burguan has worked as a consultant for municipal governments and media organizations and has served abroad as a Senior Law Enforcement Advisor for the Department of Justice – ICITAP in Nepal, Belize, and the Philippines. He also continues to teach and speak on critical incident management nationwide. Jarrod holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Redlands. He is a graduate of the California Command College, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development program, and the Senior Management Institute for Police through PERF. 

Christopher Chung is the Program Manager for Behavioral Health & Justice at the National Association of Counties. In this role he is responsible for promoting county best practices in local criminal legal systems and equitable governance. Christopher holds a master’s degree in Justice, Law & Criminology from American University.

Joe leads the Academy’s thought leadership activities. He runs the Grand Challenges in Public Administration campaign and the Agile Government Center, facilitates high impact strategic planning sessions with public agencies, manages the Academy’s externally sponsored events, and oversees the Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships. Previously, at the General Services Administration, he worked with other leaders in the Office of Government-wide Policy to stand up the Office of Shared Solutions and Performance Improvement and led a team responsible for cross-agency efforts in support of the President’s Management Agenda. Before serving at GSA, he led the Academy’s organizational studies program, managed projects requested by the U.S. Congress and agencies, and served as a senior analyst on reviews of a wide array of agencies across the federal government. He holds a Ph.D. from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a Master of International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a BA in History from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He’s currently working on an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Ron Waskey has volunteered with the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) since 2013, serving as Local Team Leader in the Maryland, DC, Virginia area.

Over the years, Ron has played a hands-on role in both local outreach and major disaster response. Recently, he traveled to Tennessee and North Carolina to support law enforcement and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, and he was on site within hours of the air disaster in the Potomac, providing support to search and rescue crews during the emergency response.

Ron’s leadership is grounded in care, reliability, and teamwork, reflecting RRT’s mission of Community, Compassion, and Support. His dedication continues to make a meaningful difference for both his local community and those impacted by major events across the region.

When he is not working, Ron enjoys barbecuing, off-roading and playing disc golf.

William Paige is the Program Manager for the Center of Public and Justice at the University of Virginia.

William’s commitment to public service began as a civilian intern with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. in the Court Liaison Division and Office of Volunteer Coordination, promoting the Department’s community relation initiatives. He also interned and worked in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C. During his time as an Associate in the Office of Federal and Regional Affairs, William engaged with federal and regional stakeholders to advance the interest of the District of Columbia on a wide range of policy issues. As an Associate Director in the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments, William recruited and managed appointments within the Mayor’s cabinet and staff. His portfolio included, among others, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice and the Office of the Senior Advisor. He also advised certain Mayoral nominees through the D.C. Council confirmation process to numerous volunteer boards and commissions.

During his time at the Georgetown University Law Center, William was a research assistant focusing on federal securities litigation, a summer associate at two international law firms, served on the Executive Board of the Georgetown Black Law Student’s Association, and a student attorney in the Federal Legislation Clinic focusing on anti-hunger policy and advocacy.

William joins the Center for Public Safety & Justice from private legal practice where he focused on antitrust & competition law while maintaining an active pro bono practice. 

William graduated magna cum laude from St. John’s University with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Business Law. He earned his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. 

In his free time, William enjoys exercising, reading non-fiction, and traveling.

Marcus R. Anderson began his law enforcement career over 30 years ago, initially as a uniformed patrol officer with the Huntsville, Alabama Police Department. He subsequently joined the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1998, where he served as a Federal Agent. During his tenure with the DEA, Marcus undertook a wide range of both domestic and foreign assignments across various regions, including the Latin America and Caribbean Special Operation’s Division, Belize, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Kentucky. Notably, in recognition of his contributions to Kentucky, he was commissioned as an Honorary Colonel with the Kentucky State Police.

Throughout his career, Marcus held several significant roles within the DEA, including serving as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Special Operations Division. In this capacity, he supervised the largest multi-agency unit in the United States Government dedicated to combatting the world’s most prominent criminal organizations, operating across Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the United States. Later, Marcus assumed the responsibilities of Chief of Staff and Executive Officer for DEA’s Chief of Global Operations, who has operational oversight for all of DEA’s 239 domestic offices and 89 foreign offices. Marcus culminated his career with the DEA when he retired in July 2023, having held the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Miami Division’s Orlando District Office, serving a population of over 4 million in Central Florida.

Marcus has been certified by the DEA in all aspects of clandestine laboratory manufacturing, along with Department of Defense training in weapons of mass destruction. Marcus is a subject matter expert regarding fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, and is an accredited United States Government Instructor, having delivered subject matter briefings to law enforcement and governmental leaders worldwide, particularly on topics related to drug trends such as fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic substances.

In terms of education, Marcus holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Athens State University, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia, and a master’s degree in public safety, also from the University of Virginia. He recently graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, Session 282.

Currently, Marcus is deeply honored to serve the people of Virginia in his role as Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, where he also serves as a special advisor to Governor Youngkin on opioid interdiction and related responses to the fentanyl epidemic. His primary focus is to establish a robust platform that fosters collaborative partnerships and, ultimately, enhances public safety within the communities he serves.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Marcus finds joy in spending quality time with his wife, three children, and their beloved five-pound Yorkie, along with cherished family and friends.

Dan Alexander was appointed as Prince William County’s Deputy County Executive for the Safe and Secure Community quadrant of government on February 1, 2022. In his position, he provides day-to-day leadership and administrative oversight of Criminal Justice Services, Fire and Rescue, Police and Public Safety Communications departments, as well as the Office of Community Safety. He also acts as a liaison to various independent public safety agencies in the county, including the Adult Detention Center, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, Magistrate, Probation and Parole (District 35), and the Public Defender. He has more than 33 years of diverse public safety experience with six different local governments, including 18 years of service as an agency chief. He was most recently the Chief of Police for the School District of Palm Beach County. He previously led the Cape Coral Police Department for four years and served as the Chief of Police in Boca Raton for over 13 years. Dan earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Florida in 1995, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1989. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Chief Newsham was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and grew up in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the College of Holy Cross, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. Chief Newsham is currently a member in good standing of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bar Associations. He has attended numerous police executive trainings and seminars and was actively involved in the Major Cities Chief’s Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Police Executive Research Forum. Additionally, he has attended the Harvard University’s Public Safety Summit, the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) training on Law and Society, the ADL’s National Counter-Terrorism Seminar in Israel, and is a graduate of the FBI’s National Executive Institute.

In 1989, Chief Newsham joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., where he served in several operational assignments before being named Chief of Police in 2016. Chief Newsham retired from the Metropolitan Police Department in January of 2021 after 31 years of service.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors announced Chief Newsham as the new Police Chief for Prince William County in November 2020 following a nationwide search. Newsham was sworn in as Chief of Police on February 1, 2021.