Mark Buckberry brings over 33 years of distinguished law enforcement experience to his role as Director of Safety and Security for South Lyon Community Schools through SEC SHIELD. He retired as a Police Lieutenant from the Van Buren Township Police Department, where he developed extensive expertise in leadership, operations, and community safety.

Over the course of his career, Mark accumulated more than 21 years of supervisory and leadership experience. He served for 28 years on the Western Wayne County SWAT team, where he held key roles as an operator, Team Leader, and Team Commander. His background includes directing patrol operations, leading criminal investigations, and overseeing complex tactical responses.

Mark has advanced training and practical experience in critical incident management, use of force, de-escalation, and tactical operations. He is also a certified instructor in multiple disciplines, including firearms, active shooter response, and law enforcement tactics.

In addition to his field experience, Mark is committed to professional development and education. He serves as an adjunct instructor with Tactical Encounters Inc. and contributes to Schoolcraft College’s police academy and in service training programs.

His leadership training includes programs through FBI LEED and Northwestern University’s School of Staff and Command. Mark holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Schoolcraft College.

With a career defined by leadership, training, and operational excellence, Mark is dedicated to enhancing school safety and fostering secure learning environments for students, staff, and communities.

With over 26 years of distinguished service, Beth Clark retired as the assistant commander of the Field Support Bureau and assistant Deputy Director of the Michigan State Police.  Beth began her career as a trooper and then moved into a variety of roles, including sergeant, first lieutenant, captain, and finally overseeing and providing leadership to all nine divisions within the bureau.  Beth has worked on hundreds of major crime scenes, testifying as an expert witness in court, overseeing multiple forensic disciplines, and providing operational oversight to more than 260 personnel.  Much of her success can be attributed to her growth mindset and servant leadership.  Beth is always looking to improve herself through new experiences and by learning from those around her.

As the Director of Safety and Security at Clarkston Public Schools, Beth brings her leadership experience to help collaborate with district leaders on appropriate regulations, procedures, and plans around school security.  She brings unparalleled knowledge to provide training, events, resources, and investigations, serving as the district’s liaison with local law enforcement agencies.  Beth is most excited to listen to those around her and build trust with administrators, teachers and the community.  Ensuring a safe environment requires consistency and Beth knows the most effective way to achieve this goal is through strong teamwork and trust.    

Beth is a former collegiate volleyball player with a passion for coaching and mentoring kids.  With experience coaching both volleyball and basketball at the college level, she thrives on inspiring and interacting with youth. In her free time, Beth loves to embrace the great outdoors, often embarking on camping adventures to connect with nature and recharge. Her enthusiasm for sports and the outdoors makes her a well-rounded and engaging mentor for the next generation.

Welcome, Beth – we are incredibly grateful and honored to have you in the team!

Jason Cox is a seasoned law enforcement professional with seven years of supervisory and leadership experience, specializing in critical incident management, crisis negotiations, and police training. Most recently managing security operations at a Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network facility, Scott has previously excelled as a Security Supervisor and Investigative Analyst. His notable achievements include earning the Medal of Exceptional Service and the Expert Firearms Award, reflecting his commitment to excellence. Scott’s advanced training encompasses a wide range of skills, from crisis intervention and tactical communications to leadership training with the FBI-LEED. His extensive background includes directing patrol operations, supervising crisis negotiation teams, and contributing to SWAT tactical operations, demonstrating his capability in both strategic planning and hands-on crisis resolution.

Thea Credle is a mission-driven safety and security leader with more than 15 years of experience designing inclusive, trauma-informed crisis management strategies for diverse organizations across education, healthcare, and public sectors. As SHIELD’s Director of Safety and Security for a national nonprofit with locations across the U.S., she brings deep expertise in holistic risk assessments—spanning digital, physical, and reputational domains—alongside a proven record in emergency preparedness and culturally responsive safety training.

Throughout her career, Thea has partnered with executives, community leaders, and government agencies to build secure, resilient environments where equity, trust, and care are centered. She has led crisis response efforts during active incidents, guided large-scale emergency management initiatives, and developed frameworks that ensure compliance while fostering compassion. Her approach prioritizes collaboration—bridging the work of HR, IT, legal, facilities, and law enforcement partners to create safety systems that reflect the diverse communities they serve.

At SHIELD, Thea provides strategic oversight and operational rigor to advance the organization’s mission of safeguarding communities nationwide. Her leadership is grounded in relational trust, equity-centered planning, and a commitment to preparing organizations for the full spectrum of modern safety challenges.

Thea holds a Master of Public Health from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

With over 25 years of distinguished service, Katie Diehl retired as a Police Captain from the Lansing Police Department, where she began her career in 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and held various roles including Special Operations Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Community Policing. Promoted to Captain in 2020, she oversaw the Staff Services and Patrol Divisions, managed community projects, training, and a team of over 100 officers. Katie also contributed to the G.R.E.A.T. program and holds an MBA in Business Administration and Leadership from Cleary University, along with advanced certifications from Michigan State University.

Pete Gerkin brings over 26 years of law enforcement experience to his role as Director of Safety & Security at Grand Rapids Christian Schools. A retired lieutenant from the Kent County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Office, Pete served in a variety of roles throughout his career, including over a decade in the Investigations Division and 12 years on the tactical team – six of which he led as team leader.

In his final assignment with the Sheriff’s Office, Pete led the Community Services Division, where he supervised the agency’s community engagement programs and managed a team of 16 school resource officers across 12 school districts. He worked closely with educational leaders to define the evolving role of SROs and to strengthen safety strategies that prioritize both physical security and positive student relationships.

Pete is an accredited instructor in de-escalation, implicit bias, and has led training programs in these areas for law enforcement and school personnel. His work has been recognized through numerous letters of commendation and department awards from both the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Rapids Police Department.

In addition to his current work at Grand Rapids Christian Schools, Pete provides safety and security assessments and staff training for schools, childcare centers, and corporate environments. His trainings include workplace violence prevention, de-escalation techniques, critical incident response, crisis communication, and tabletop scenarios.

Pete is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association and the National Association of School Resource Officers. He is deeply committed to creating safe, supportive environments where students, staff, and communities can thrive.

As a former Homeland Security and United States Secret Service special agent, Todd brings more than 29 years of law enforcement, physical security/protection, criminal investigations and tactical operations experience to SEC. Todd has also worked for the Wayne County (Michigan) and Washtenaw County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Offices as a deputy sheriff and dive team member. He is an accomplished military veteran, having served in the United States Army and the Michigan Army National Guard where he was awarded numerous medals and badges. Todd graduated from Wayne State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Working at SEC, Todd takes the principles he learned in the Secret Service and applies them in a way to help children, teachers and staff.

Brian Harris is an innovative law enforcement leader with 25 years of distinguished service in building and guiding high-performing teams. Known for his adaptable leadership style, Brian excels in training development, personnel management, budgeting, and crisis management. He has successfully directed operations for entities with over 100 members and managed budgets exceeding $25 million. As Commander of the 5th Precinct at Detroit Police Department, he implemented a crime reduction strategy that decreased violent crime by 10%, while overseeing daily operations for a large team and a diverse community.  His extensive experience includes leading the Special Response Team, collaborating with federal agencies, and managing tactical operations for high-profile events. Brian holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and an Associate’s in Logistics Management, underscoring his commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

With over 17 years of diverse law enforcement experience, Justin brings a wealth of expertise to the field. He has a robust background that includes six years as a patrol officer, three years in code enforcement and animal control, and eight years as an auxiliary officer. Justin’s credentials are reinforced by advanced training in critical incident response, first responder tactical medical care, and forensic investigation, including certifications in active shooter response and child forensic interviewing. He holds an Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Kellogg Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University.

With more than 25 years of progressive leadership in law enforcement, Steve Kramer brings deep expertise in crisis response, investigations, training, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, including his tenure as Chief of Police, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to prevention, preparedness, and community collaboration.

Steve has led critical incident response efforts, developed comprehensive safety programs, and trained countless professionals in areas such as de-escalation, active threat response, and officer readiness. His work emphasizes not only safety but also creating supportive and resilient environments for students, staff, and families.

At Howell Public Schools, Steve will play a key role in strengthening district wide safety strategies, enhancing crisis readiness, and building strong partnerships across the community.

Dan Munford brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and public safety to his role as Director of Safety and Security for Waverly Community Schools. He previously served as a Captain with the Michigan State University Police and Public Safety Department, where he led patrol operations, community engagement initiatives, and public safety programs serving a large and diverse campus community.

Throughout his career, Mr. Munford has held leadership roles including Patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Sergeant, and Community Engagement Coordinator. He has extensive experience in crisis management, emergency response planning, staff training, and building strong partnerships with schools and community organizations. He has also led major initiatives in de-escalation training, school safety planning, traffic safety, and officer wellness.

Mr. Munford holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and is a graduate of the MSU School of Criminal Justice Staff and Command program. He is committed to creating safe, supportive learning environments through proactive planning, collaboration, and a strong focus on prevention and preparedness.

With over 20 years of experience in federal law enforcement and critical incident management, Mike brings a powerful blend of public safety expertise and leadership to this vital role. He most recently served as a Senior Special Agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility, where he led high-profile investigations and coordinated multi-agency emergency responses across the country.

Mike’s deep understanding of threat assessment, policy development, and crisis response makes him an invaluable addition to our district. He is a licensed attorney and nationally recognized leader in law enforcement and compliance-bringing clarity, collaboration, and strategic insight to every challenge.

Michael W. Thomas is a seasoned criminal investigator with a robust career spanning over two decades. Most recently serving at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, he has played pivotal roles in various capacities, including working on high-profile cases like the Oxford Schools shooting and managing the Special Victims Unit. Previously, Thomas was the Director of Risk Management at Havenwyck Hospital, where he led risk mitigation and protocol development efforts, and a Detective with the Auburn Hills Police Department, where he investigated complex crime scenes and contributed to national security initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus on Criminal Justice/Criminology from Ball State University, where he graduated with distinction. Thomas also completed advanced law enforcement training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and the Michigan Law Enforcement Training Course, earning accolades and certifications in forensic interviewing and trauma-informed response.

An honorable and rewarding career that would enable him to see firsthand the positive impact of his work drew Troy Woodwyk to law enforcement. He would spend the next 27+ years with the Kent County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Office serving the community as a sergeant, lieutenant, captain and later as chief deputy of enforcement and corrections. Troy spent most of his career with the KCSO in patrol operations and was assigned positions within the detective bureau and traffic investigations. As a former SEC Senior Lead Consultant, Troy brought decades of law enforcement experience and passion for collaboration to our clients, helping them identify and bridge security gaps to ensure a safe environment for all stakeholders. Troy has assessed, trained and provided hundreds of consulting hours with school districts across the state of Michigan.  He’s a firm believer that every organization – big or small – needs to make safety and security a top priority. Troy is a graduate of the Grand Rapids Police Leadership Institute and Michigan State University Staff and Command School. He also is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association.

With over 28 years of experience in education and school safety, Dan Wright brings a powerful blend of leadership, insight, and dedication to his new role. Beginning his career as a teacher and coach, Dan spent 12 years building meaningful connections with students, followed by 13 years as a high school administrator known for his student-centered leadership and strategic problem-solving.

For the past three years, Dan has focused exclusively on school safety -collaborating with law enforcement, developing proactive safety protocols, and championing secure, supportive learning environments for all. His unique background allows him to effectively bridge the gap between education and safety, ensuring the well-being of both students and staff.

Dan holds a Master of Arts in Communications, a Master of Science in Literacy, and a School Administrator Certification – bringing both heart and expertise to this critical role.