Nicholas “Nick” Dumas
The Venice (Florida) Municipal Airport has appointed Nicholas “Nick” Dumas to the role of airport director. He served nearly 13 years at the Department of Aviation for the city of Philadelphia prior to relocating to The Sunshine State. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the position, including airport operations, maintenance, safety, security and emergency management. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from CSU.
Matt Hamlin
Police Chief Matt Hamlin is retiring from his service with the Clayton (Ohio) Police Department. During his tenure, he served the department in many roles, including a member of the Clayton Special Response Team, evidence technician, armorer, bike patrol officer, and as a leader in the Field Training Officer Program, where he helped mentor many police officers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from CSU.
William Matthias
Carteret County, North Carolina, has selected William Matthias as the new emergency services director. He brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across fire, emergency medical services and ocean rescue operations in coastal North Carolina. In this role, he will oversee Carteret County’s emergency management, emergency medical services, emergency communications and the Office of the Fire Marshal. Matthias received a bachelor’s degree in fire administration and an MPA with a concentration in emergency management from CSU.
Eric Schmitz
The Lenexa (Kansas) Police Department has appointed Eric Schmitz to police chief. He has 27 years of service in law enforcement and joined the department as a patrol officer in 1998. His career includes assignments as a police K-9 handler and master police officer, followed by promotions through the ranks of corporal, sergeant in patrol and investigations, captain and major. He was appointed deputy chief of police in December 2023. He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from CSU.
James Young Jr.
James Young Jr. has been named the new fire chief of the Londonderry (New Hampshire) Fire Department and will take over the role Feb.17, 2026. He previously served as the emergency management director and fire chief with the Orange (Massachusetts) Fire Department. He is currently pursuing further professional accreditation as a chief fire officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, while serving in multiple professional associations. He received a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from CSU.
Roman Jackson
The University of West Florida has announced Roman Jackson as its new chief of police. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in public safety operations, including patrol operations, criminal investigations and strategic planning. He’s held several leadership roles throughout his career with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office prior to his new role. He is a decorated law enforcement Purple Heart recipient and a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in criminal justice administration from CSU.
Ashley Huiras
Ashley Huiras was frocked to the rank of sergeant major ahead of her official promotion date of Feb. 1, 2026. She has served as the senior public affairs noncommissioned officer for the 82nd Airborne Division, 16th Military Police Brigade, 3rd Special Forces Group and the XVIII Airborne Corps. Huiras has completed some of the Army’s toughest schools, including Military Free Fall, Pathfinder, Air Assault and SERE High-Risk. She holds an associate degree in general studies from CSU.
Barrett Penny
The Garner Fire-Rescue Department in North Carolina has selected its interim chief, Barret Penny, as the official fire chief. He served in the interim role since March 2024 and joined the department as a firefighter in 1998. He was named battalion chief in 2011 and assistant chief in 2022. Penny is a level 3 fire officer with the state of North Carolina, serving on the Wake County Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the North Carolina State Firefighters Association. He received an associate degree in fire science from CSU.
Matt Clark
Matt Clark has been chosen as the North Dakota state fire marshal. He is a seasoned fire service leader and most recently served as fire chief of the Williston Fire Department for nearly five years. As fire marshal, he will oversee fire code enforcement, inspections, investigations and public education efforts, while working closely with local fire departments, state agencies and elected officials to enhance fire safety and community resilience throughout North Dakota. He earned an MBA from CSU.
Brett Lloyd
The Anniston (Alabama) Police Department has promoted Brett Lloyd to captain. He has 17 years of experience and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. His assignments included patrol, investigations, administration and six years on the Special Response Team. He received an MPA with a concentration in criminal justice administration from CSU.
Craig Buckley
The Kansas City Fire Department has appointed Craig Buckley to the role of fire chief. Prior to his appointment, he served as interim chief with the Orlando Fire Department. His previous roles include working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and nearly 35 years as battalion chief for the Fairfax County Fire Department in Virginia. He earned a master’s degree in fire executive leadership from CSU.
Lee Burks
Lee Burks has been recognized for applying his extensive emergency response background to protecting cast and crew members on film and television sets. He has served 33 years as a firefighter, paramedic and a deputy emergency management agency official. Today, he uses his expertise to focus on production safety in the film and television industry. He earned a master’s degree in occupational safety and health from CSU.
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
