"I am honored to be chosen as your new Director of Safety and Security for the Durango School District 9-R, a position to which I will devote my fullest time and attention. Children are our most valuable asset, and I am committed to assisting the district in ensuring their safety and developing them to their fullest potential. "
Safety and education have always been my life’s passion. I look forward to establishing effective working relationships with the community, public and private officials, and especially the 9-R staff and student body. Safety and security can only be accomplished through a team effort. People working together are our greatest resource.
I retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in Florida after serving my community for over 25 years. I was fortunate enough to have worked in many specialized units such as the SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Homeland Security Unit, and the Training Division. I also served on our city’s emergency management team for over 10 years and responded to several natural and man-made incidents. I retired as a Lieutenant over the Training Department, where I led a team of outstanding instructors to train over 1,500 new employees in five years.
I have also been fortunate enough to have had the support of my wife and my employer to advance my education and have obtained my Master’s degree in Homeland Security and a Doctorate in Criminal Justice. This has been instrumental in enhancing my skills and knowledge as a professor for several online and “brick & mortar” universities.
I have been married to my wife Amber for over 22 years, and we share a love of outdoor activities and adopting senior and special needs pets. Amber and I have been coming to Durango for over a decade, and it has been our dream to move here. We love the Southwest culture, outdoor activities, and small-town atmosphere.
The core values of my previous department were Community-Focused, Worthy of Trust, Respect for Each Other, and Always Improving. These are values that I have taken to heart and use to guide my decision making and leadership. What I value and expect of myself is dedication to the community, professionalism, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and fair/ethical decision-making.
I am looking forward to being part of the Durango School District 9-R team and the Durango community."