Leadership

CCFS Leadership Team

Operations of an organization such as CCFS are a team effort.  We are fortunate to have a leadership team made up of well known and nationally respected leaders in the area of campus fire safety. These dedicated professionals provide a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise that is unmatched anywhere and they are responsible for the oversight and operations of CCFS.

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Learn more about the Officers, Board members and headquarters staff, their experience and their roles within CCFS:

 Alan Sactor CFPS, President 

Alan Sactor CFPS, University of Maryland Fire Marshal & Assistant Director, University of Maryland, Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk 

Alan is appointed as the Assistant State Fire Marshal for the University of Maryland with jurisdiction for fire prevention, fire investigations, and building construction. Building construction responsibilities cover other University System of Maryland campuses including Bowie State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Salisbury University, and Frostburg State University. His office also provides emergency response and manages the university's AED program.

Alan has over 41 years of experience in fire protection and the fire service including working as a firefighter/paramedic in the Washington D.C. area. He is a member of the technical committees for NFPA 1037, Professional Qualifications for Fire Marshal and NFPA 3&4, Commissioning and Integrated Testing of Fire and Life Safety Systems.  He also serves on the APPA Standards and Codes Council. He is past Chairman of the Maryland State Fire Marshals Committee.

Alan was a participant and presenter at the first USFA/NFPA Forum on Campus Fire Safety and the first National Summit on Campus Fire Safety.  Alan is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management. He has been with the University of Maryland since 1985.


Jody Nolan, Vice President  

Jody Nolan
Fire safety/emergency preparedness program manager, Rochester Institute of Technology

Jody has 25 years of service in the RIT Environmental Health and Safety Department and has been involved in the fire service for 33 years and in the Code enforcement arena equally as long.  Jody holds a Bachelor of Science, Applied Arts and Sciences-Honors from RIT with Concentrations in Disaster and Emergency Management, Safety Technology, and Marketing and a general education concentration in Communication. She is currently pursing her Master of Science Degree in Professional Studies, with concentrations workplace learning and instruction and digital media and communications. 

In 1993, Jody was the first woman to be elected to the Board of Directors of the NYS Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association. With that election, She was also the first woman to hold a Board of Director position of any of the fire service organizations in New York State. She has held every board seat in the organization and held the office of President twice.  As President, Jody was actively involved in the process when NYS was moving to a model code.  This provided an opportunity to get involved in codes on a national level.  She was elected to the Board of Directors of a legacy organization IFCI (International Fire Code Institute) and served as the editor of the newsletter until the organization was absorbed into the International Codes Council.  She continues to be active with the ICC serving as Vice Chair of the Reference Standards Committee.  

When Jody first joined RIT, there was very little fire safety information for college students. Most educational material was geared toward specific populations such as children and elderly. Unfortunately, it took several tragedies nationally to change that landscape.  Organizations such as the Center for Campus Fire Safety and colleagues in the fire safety role on university campuses have made a significant impact to ensure students are fire safe. This was no easy undertaking. There have been many roadblocks along the way. Convincing University leadership that these measures are necessary was and still is probably the biggest challenge.  

One of Jody's most significant accomplishments at RIT was convincing leadership that fire sprinklers were a necessary component of a proposed residence hall renovation project.  The proposed renovations were large, but not large enough that the codes would require installation.  As a result of her recommendations and those of her predecessors, every residence hall on campus now contains fire sprinklers.  RIT has also retrofitted one of our older apartment complexes with fire sprinklers.  All new construction also includes fire sprinklers, in some cases regardless of whether code requires it. 


James Rainer, Secretary/Treasurer 

James serves as Director of Fire and Life Safety and University Fire Marshal for Texas A&M. As Director, his duties include overseeing the Fire and Life Safety (FLS) programs. James also served as a part-time faculty member in the Fire Science program at Blinn College for 27 years. He holds an AA degree in Education along with a BS in Construction Science and a MS in Construction Management, both from Texas A&M University. A Certified Building Inspector, Fire Inspector, and Plans Examiner and hold licenses as a Flame Effects Operator, Pyrotechnics Operators, and Pyrotechnics Special Effects Operator.  Additionally, he serves on the University Police Department Training Advisory Board, and the Blinn College Fire Science Advisory Board.

As Fire Marshal, James responsibilities include all aspects of a campus fire safety program including coordinating plan review for all new construction and facility remodels, inspections, permitting all pyrotechnics, flame effects, and prescribed burns, assisting in the coordination of athletic and other special events on campus, overseeing fire safety education, as well as serving as the liaison between Texas A&M and our local fire departments and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

James holds an AA degree in Education along with a BS in Construction Science and a MS in Construction Management, both from Texas A&M University.  He is a Certified Building Inspector, Fire Inspector, and Plans Examiner along with holding licenses as a Flame Effects Operator, Pyrotechnics Operators, and Pyrotechnics Special Effects Operator.


Justin Daniels, Immediate Past President 
 
Justin Daniels, Application Specialist, Knox Company (former Fire Marshal at the University of Oklahoma – Norman Campus). 
Justin serves as Immediate Past President for The Center for Campus Fire Safety. Justin started working in the fire marshal’s office at the University of Oklahoma in February 2002. In February 2008, Justin became a Certified Fire Inspector, promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal in January 2013, and then to Fire Marshal in August 2013. As Fire Marshal, his duties and responsibilities included but were not limited to: fire inspections for all 300+ existing buildings on campus; fire and life safety training for faculty, staff and students; plan review for new buildings and existing facility remodels; fire drills; fireworks and open flame permits; assist with game day operations and other special events; fire investigation; supervision of 3 Fire Inspectors; and ensure all fire and life safety systems on campus were inspected and maintained. Justin was also responsible for Emergency Management Operations and served as the OU Emergency Operations Center manager. In August 2023, Justin left OU to join the team at Knox Company as an Application Specialist. He works primarily with corporate customers and assists with training first responder personnel on Knox rapid response products.
 

 



Douglas Gazzale, Director

Douglas Gazzale, CFPS, CFEI, IAAI-FIT, CFI-II, CFPE
Firefighter/EMT, College Park Fire Department

Career Summary:
-Actively involved in the fire service since 2002 and in higher education fire safety since 2005
-Firefighter/EMT and Life Member with the College Park Fire Department
-Firefighter/EMT with the Basking Ridge Fire Company
-Firefighter with the Liberty Corner Fire Company
-Member of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit
-Previously served as the Fire Marshal at The College of New Jersey; Manager for Fire, Safety, and Compliance at Mercer County Community College; [Fire] Safety Compliance Specialist at New York University; and Deputy Fire Marshal/Fire Protection Specialist at University of Maryland, College Park

Education Summary:
Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, College Park
Master of Communication Management, University of Southern California
Paramedic Certificate, Prince George’s Community College

Family/Hobbies:
Doug enjoys spending time with his wife and children


William Hempstead, Director     

William Hempstead, Fire Safety Officer Molloy College Mission/Responsibilities:  

He hopes to bring in the smaller colleges and universities that do not have the funds to attend our wonderful forum. This is an issue in my case as well, as I paid for the last seminar that I attended. I hope to produce some way to offer scholarships to these smaller colleges/universities so they can attend and benefit from our forum and our other offerings.

Career Summary:

William has been the Fire Safety Officer for Molloy University since the opening of the first resident hall in 2011. His responsibilities include running fire drills, teaching fire safety to the campus community, working with both county and state fire marshals, maintaining inspections for fire safety appliances. The students have nicknamed me Fire Marshal Bill. Prior to that he was the midnight tour supervisor, and a member of Public Safety since 2009. To his credit he has written several fire safety related articles. He has been a member of the Woodmere Fire Department since 1977, reaching the rank of Captain. As an assistant fire inspector for the Woodmere Fire Department, he would inspect local business for any violations and offer suggestions to abate the situation. An active member of The Center for Campus Fire Safety, and a committee member. A graduate from Molloy University in Business Management. He hopes to bring in the smaller colleges and universities that do not have the funds to attend our wonderful forum. This is an issue in my case as well, as I paid for the last seminar that I attended. I hope to produce some way to offer scholarships to these smaller colleges/universities so they can attend and benefit from our forum and our other offerings. 


Matthew A. Hicks, Director

Matthew A. Hicks Assistant Fire Marshal, Office of the Fire Marshal University of Maryland

Matthew has worked in the University of Maryland, Office of the Fire Marshal for the past eighteen years, with responsibilities increasing periodically from his role as a student employee to the present date as Assistant Fire Marshal.  

Throughout Matthew's career at the University of Maryland, he has developed expertise in fire safety and gained an understanding of the unique needs of many different stakeholders across the University. From student groups to outside speakers, to the upper administration, his focus on special events has taught him how to effectively communicate the State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code in a way the resonates with each group he interacts with, making sure that they feel their voice is heard while ensuring the safety of life and property at each event.


Maria Marks, Director

Maria Marks, CFPS, SET|SIEMENS Smart Infrastructure.

With a Life Safety focus on the building design and construction industry Maria looks to create Safe Smart buildings and communities. Her focus is on the balance between adoption/development of codes and standards and the potential of Emerging Technologies, while maintaining resiliency, and reliability of Life Safety systems. Maria has been active in the Fire Life Safety and Security industry for over 25 years. She is active with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), SFPE and NFPA. Maria holds several board seats including the SFPE Foundation Board of Governors and the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering.

 

Dr. Rodger Reiswig, Director 

Dr. Rodger Reiswig, SET, Fellow,
VP, Industry Relations
Johnson Controls


Mission/Responsibilities:
Global industry liaison for building codes, installation standards, product certification standards and representative for various life safety industry associations and organizations.

Career Summary:- Former Detroit Diesel engine certified technician repowering large marine vessels and earth moving equipment

- NICET certified level IV for fire alarm systems and then moved to teach others about the life safety industry
- Regional Field Sales Engineer with Simplex responsible for product application and field technical support for the east coast.

Education/CommitteesSummary:
- Certification from Two Rivers Technologies as a Master in Telecommunications

- Eastern Technical certification in Electronics Technology and Microprocessor Design
- Master’s Degree in Theology from Evangelical Theological Seminary
- NICET certification in both Fire Alarm and Special Hazard Layout. NICET level IV Fire Alarm Systems Certification and NICET level I Special Hazards Layout
Certification.

Family/Hobbies:
- Married to Lani since June 1990
- Hobbies include: church, cars, jobs around house and playing with the dogs

Richard Roberts, Director

Richard Roberts
Industry Affairs Manager, Honeywell Fire Safety
[email protected]

Over thirty-five years of experience in the installation, sales, commissioning and product management of code
compliant commercial fire alarm, carbon monoxide detection and security systems. Currently Mr. Roberts is
responsible for codes & standards development at the federal, state and local level as well as influencing changes
to legislation.

 

Board Committee affiliations:

  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Member of 14 NFPA Technical Committees
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL): Member of 2 Standards Technical Panels (STP’s) for carbon monoxide detection
  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): (Board of Directors, Chair of Building Codes Committee, Member of the Government Relations Committee.
  • International Code Council (ICC): Member of several Fire Code Action Committee (FCAC) Working Groups relating to fire alarm, carbon monoxide, mass notification systems and in-building ermergency responder communications.
  • National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM): (Member of the Model Codes Committee)
  • International Association of Fire Chiefs: (Member of the Fire and Life Safety Section)
  • Center for Campus Fire Safety (CCFS): (Board of Directors, Co-Chair of Codes and Standards Committee)
  • Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC): (Vice Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, Member of the Codes and Standards Committee)
  • Security Industry Association (SIA): Member of the Government Relations

Family/Hobbies:
Richard enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, experiencing different ethnic foods and spending time with his wife Mary Ann of 39 years. 
 


Nathaniel Smith, Director

The Catholic University of America Safety and Health Spc. Fire Safety Officer                       

Mission/Responsibilities: 

The Department of Environmental Health Safety and Risk Management seeks to maintain and foster “safe environments" for all staff, visitors, and the student body. As the Fire Safety Officer, I maintain and

perform occasional updates of the University’s Environmental Health and Safety / Fire Safety Web page. This site provides notification of certain fire prevention initiatives, safety, and maintenance procedures that impact the immediate University Community, and visitors.

 

Career Summary: Nathaniel is a retired Inspector Technician/Fire Investigator having served with the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department for nearly 30 years. Currently, managing the Catholic University of America’s Fire Safety program which includes inspections, fire safety training, and maintenance of Fire Life/Safety systems. As a CHSEMA member, he also serves as a liaison to Resident-Life, Housing Services, Campus Ministry, the DC Fire & EMS Department, and work with various Code Officials, Contractors, and Federal, State, and Local Officials. Nathaniel is a member of the Washington Consortium Fire Protection Group. My areas of responsibility also entail the coordination of Facilities work requests, coordinating Student/Staff activities and training, maintaining compliance with applicable fire safety regulations; Strategic Code Consulting; Oversight of Fire Protection Systems and infrastructure; Emergency Management Planning; and related Emergency Support Functions. Property Inspections: and the management of The Catholic University/ Automatic Electronic Defibrillator Program I'm privileged to Work with other University Officials and Staff focusing on the needs of residential, assembly administrative, and business properties in our University Community of Brookland.

 Family: Happily married to an Educator and Home School Engineer/Ph.D. and we have four children together. 

Seth Statler, Director

L. Seth Statler
Director of Government Affairs
National Fire Protection Association

Mission/Responsibilities:
-leads government affairs for global nonprofit devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. Founded in 1896, NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and
standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy.

Career Summary:
- served as associate administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Managed relations with Congress, governors, state legislators and local governments.
- led Congressional Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the nation's largest law enforcement agency responsible for protecting U.S. borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade.
- worked for House Committee on Appropriations as associate staff for Majority Leader Steny Hoyer from Maryland and as a senior aide to former Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland.

Education Summary:
- Bachelor of Arts, Gettysburg College
- Masters in Business Administration (Marketing), University of Maryland

Hobbies:
- member of College Park Volunteer Fire Department
- served for 24 years on the board of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), a Congressionally chartered nonprofit he and former Senator Sarbanes created through legislation. Now serves as NFFF Ambassador to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
- Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Maryland


Headquarters Support


Jessica Dinon: Executive Director, Marketing/Administration ... email  

Cathy Tabor: Business Development Manager ... email

Lori Guilfoyle: Bookkeeper ... email