Kerry has served the people of the State of Oklahoma for more than a quarter of a century. Beginning as a State Trooper in 1982 he has risen in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) to his current rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Throughout his tenure, Kerry has served in specialized positions utilizing his training as a bomb technician, hazardous materials technician and in tactical operations. He served as commander of the OHP Bomb Squad and Tactical Teams, as liaison to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and Deputy Director of Homeland Security.
It is his experiences of tracking and apprehending criminals, executing high risk warrants, conducting render safe procedures on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), developing intelligence contacts, assisting in the establishment of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security and being one of the first on the scene of the Alfred P. Murrah Building bombing on April 19, 1995 that led Governor Brad Henry to appoint him as his Homeland Security Director in January 2004.
Kerry is a graduate of the 39th OHP Academy, Leadership Oklahoma Class XIX, FBI National Academy, FBI Hazardous Devices School and has his Bachelor of Science from Southern Nazarene University.
Professional Appointments:
National Infrastructure Protection Plan: State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Government Coordinating Council
National Domestic Preparedness Consortium: State Administrative Agency Advisory Council
Governor’s Campus Life and Safety and Security Task Force
Awards:
Governor's Commendation
2 Commissioner's Commendations
Medal of Valor - Oklahoma Chief's of Police
Oklahoma House of Representatives Commendation for Bravery
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Melissa McLawhorn Houston - Chief of Staff
As an Oklahoma City Bombing survivor, Melissa became an advocate for effective anti-terrorism initiatives early in her career. Melissa also has an extensive background in criminal justice reform. She played a key role in reform efforts related to truth in sentencing, community sentencing and federal anti-terrorism legislation. Melissa also served as Deputy Director for the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association as well as Staff Attorney for the Oklahoma Truth in Sentencing Policy Advisory Commission. Prior to taking a position with OKOHS, Melissa was involved in political and policy development issues by working on several campaigns including a State House race and a statewide issue campaign. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Letters. She earned her juris doctor from OU, as well.
Steve Almon – UASI Coordinator
Steve Almon joined the OKOHS staff in February 2009 as the Oklahoma City and Tulsa UASI Coordinator. Steve’s extensive law enforcement career began in 1975 and includes serving as Police Chief in Oak Harbor, WA; El Reno, OK; and Guthrie, OK. He also retired after 20 years with the Wichita, KS police department as Commander of the Air Section. Steve has a BS in Management of Human Resources and an MS in Management. He also attended the FBI National Academy, FBI Executive Leadership and the DEA Drug Investigator Training. Prior to joining the OKOHS staff, Steve was the Director of Heartline 2-1-1 in Oklahoma City.
Ginny Andrews - Grants Assistant
Ginny is a professionally qualified accounting clerk and bookkeeper. She is a Certified Procurement Officer (CPO) and is accomplished in all areas of accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll administration. Ginny joined OKOHS in May of 2005 and has an Associates Degree from St. Louis Community College.
Brook Borden Arbeitman - Public Affairs Coordinator
Brook graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Broadcasting. She spent numerous years working at television stations in Wichita Falls, TX, Springfield, MO and Augusta, GA. Brook began her news career as a reporter but eventually worked her way up to the positions of Weekend Anchor and ultimately Morning Anchor. She began working at the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security in 2003. She coordinates all public information for OKOHS, develops and coordinates citizen preparedness initiatives for OKOHS including National Preparedness Month, assists in policy development and is the Citizen Corps Program Manager for Oklahoma. Prior to arriving at OKOHS Brook also worked as Deputy Communications Director on a statewide issue campaign.
Laura Botkin - Grants Assistant
Laura received a bachelors degree from the University of Oklahoma in Environmental Studies and she also has a minor in Criminology. She is an experienced bookkeeper, and also has experience in payroll and tax preparation. Laura has a Masters of Business Administration and is a Certified Procurement Officer (CPO).
Lacey Callahan – Assistant Public Affairs Coordinator
Lacey joined the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) in 2007 to coordinate the Homeland Security Regional Advisory Councils and assist in the public affairs division. She has experience in sales, public relations and served as an Assistant Press Secretary on a political campaign. Lacey graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Journalism specializing in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish and Political Science. She gained valuable international and cultural experience while studying abroad in Spain.
Kim Carter – Fusion Center Coordinator
Kim has been a law enforcement officer since 1978 including 26 years with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). He began his career at the OSBI as a Special Agent eventually attaining the rank of Assistant Director of the OSBI’s Investigative Division. During Kim’s tenure with the OSBI he spent nine years as the supervisor of the Criminal Intelligence Office where he gained valuable knowledge in the unique area of criminal intelligence. Kim joined the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) in 2007 to design and implement the state’s Fusion Center.
Nikki Cassingham -- Statewide Interoperability Coordinator
Before coming to work for OKOHS, Nikki spent 20 years working in the telecommunications industry. She won numerous awards for outstanding sales achievements, provisioning and operations. In 1998/1999, she represented the first CLEC (Advanced Communications/lonex) to arrange a pro-active relationship with the Corporation Commission once local diatone was deregulated to compete with Southwestern Bell in the Oklahoma City market. After leaving the private sector, Nikki began working the Department of Public Safety in 2007 serving as an Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications Operator. She came to OKOHS in 2008 to assist with Interoperable Communications planning. In March 2009, she moved into the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator position which includes planning for the state and coordinating the Statewide Interoperability Communications Plan (SCIP).
Gary Davis - Exercise / Training Coordinator
Gary came to OKOHS after retiring from the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Gary spent 31 years with the department and advanced through the ranks before retiring as Battalion Chief of Operations. He was responsible for the leadership and supervision of training, special operations and emergency medical services sections. Gary is a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician, Oklahoma State Health Department EMS Instructor as well as an Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training Instructor.
Robbie Foster - Assistant Grants Administrator
Robbie most recently worked for the Guthrie Public School system as an Activity Fund Custodian, Deputy Treasurer and Deputy Minutes Clerk. She also has an extensive background in the private sector working with accounts payable and receivable, collections, the filing of insurance, audit support, payroll, bank reconciliation, tax returns and other bookkeeping duties.
Chris Huston - Grants Administrator
Chris not only has an Accounting Degree from the University of Oklahoma he has also earned his juris doctor and MBA from OU, as well. Chris has practiced law, public accounting and has done financial/administrative work in the oil and gas industry. He is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, American Institute of Public Accountants and the Oklahoma Jumpstart Coalition for the advancement of financial literacy. Chris is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Pat King – NIMS Compliance Officer
Pat King has been with the Oklahoma City Fire Department (OCFD) since 1992 and is currently a Major at Station 18. Pat has served in various capacities within the fire service including as an EMS Training Officer, NREMT – Paramedic, OCFD Dive Team member and Fire Academy Instructor. Pat has been instructing EMS and fire related courses since 1995 including teaching Instructor and Paramedic courses at Career Technology Centers in Central Oklahoma, and in 2003 he became a licensed EMS Educator. In addition to his full-time duties with OCFD, he joined the OKOHS staff in 2008 as the NIMS Compliance Officer. Pat attended the University of Central Oklahoma.
Kaitlyn Loyd - Administrative Technician / Grants Technician
Kaitlyn is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and has a Bachelors of Education and Professional Studies. She also obtained a minor in both Business Administration and Spanish while attending college. Kaitlyn joined the OKOHS staff in 2008 with experience in Insurance Billing, Retail, and Business Administration.
Capt. Eldon Mathews -- Grants Monitor
After receiving a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1978, Eldon graduated from the 41st Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in June of 1985. He was assigned as a Trooper to Marshall County in Troop E until 1998, when he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Hugo. In 2001, Eldon was promoted to Captain, and was made Troop Commander for Troop E. He served in that capacity before joining OKOHS in August of 2008.
Jim McBride - Infrastructure Protection
Jim was in Law Enforcement for more than 30 years most of which was with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol before retiring in 2008. He worked road assignments with the OHP and was also assigned to the Bomb Squad and the Tactical Team. It was as a member of the Tactical Team that Jim responded to the Alfred P. Murrah Bombing in April 1995. Later he spent ten years in the Special Operations Unit, six as Troop Commander. He served 26 years in the Oklahoma National Guard retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Kathryn McCoy – Training and Exercise Assistant
Kathryn has a background in public relations including writing articles, press release and tracking media coverage. She also developed a strategic marketing plan to promote a CBS Sports program on the University of Oklahoma campus. Kathryn joined the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS) staff in 2007 and assists the Training and Exercise Coordinator. She has a B.A. in Journalism specializing in Public Relations and a minor in Criminology.
Mike Ray -- Regional Response System Coordinator
Mike began his career in firefighting in Louisville, KY before joining the Tinker AFB Fire Department where he advance through the ranks, progressing from Firefighter, Driver, Captain then to upper management as Shift Commander and Chief of Training before retiring as Director of Special Operations. During his 25 year career at Tinker, he was a member of the AF Inspector General's office as an Evaluator and Coordinator for Disaster Training Exercises. Mike worked for Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training where he taught Hazardous Material Technician courses. Mike is a nationally registered EMT and and EMS Instructor for Oklahoma State. Mike has a Bachelors degree in Human Resource Management from Southern Nazarene University. He did post-graduate work at Langston University. He has also completed numerous Fire Science-related courses from OSU.
Robin Rosenberg - Administrative Technician
Robin is originally from Eastern Oklahoma where she lived until July 2006 when she joined the OKOHS staff. Robin is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and worked as an office nurse for a doctor in Gore, OK from 1987 to 1999. During that time she also worked as the lab and x-ray technician. In 1999, she opened a flower shop in her hometown. Robin frequently volunteered with the Vian Chamber of Commerce. She attended Northeastern State University and continues to maintain her nurse's license.
Capt. Gary Vinson - Infrastructure Protection
In addition to receiving a degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma, Gary is also a graduate from the 44th Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy. During his tenure with the Highway Patrol, Gary has been assigned to field units in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He has been a security analyst and instructor of dignitary protection since 1999. He served under Gov. Keating and later Gov. Henry providing security. He has served as troop commander of the training division for OHP, and he is also a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Gary will be handling multiple responsibilities including school security evaluation and critical infrastructure protection.
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