Leadership

Doug Bodrero is President and a senior research associate of the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). He is responsible for strategic direction, management, and policy issues, as well as project design and program oversight. Mr. Bodrero joined IIR in 1997 as a member of the instructional team for the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) Program. He served as the SLATT Director from 1999 until assuming the role of President of IIR in 2003. Under Mr. Bodrero’s leadership, the SLATT Program has achieved national recognition.

Before joining IIR, Mr. Bodrero served as Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety (UDPS) from 1989 to 1996. UDPS is a full-service law enforcement and public safety agency that includes the Utah Highway Patrol, Division of Investigations, Law Enforcement and Technical Services, Peace Officer Standards and Training, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Division of Comprehensive Emergency Management, and other law enforcement support operations. Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Mr. Bodrero served as Deputy Commissioner of UDPS from 1985 to 1989 and was responsible for all operational commands. Soon after joining UDPS, Mr. Bodrero was assigned by the Governor to serve as interim director of the Department of Corrections for the express purpose of instituting major operational and administrative reforms in that agency.

In 1969, Mr. Bodrero began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff with the Cache County, Utah, Sheriff’s Office. He held the positions of patrolman, sergeant, and lieutenant with the patrol, investigations, communications, detention, and support services commands. He was appointed chief deputy in 1976, and in 1979 he was elected sheriff, a position he held until the Governor appointed him to UDPS.

The Governor also appointed Mr. Bodrero as a founding member of the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (UCCJJ), the criminal justice planning agency for the state of Utah and the state agency that administers all federal, criminal, and juvenile justice funds awarded to the state. Mr. Bodrero served on that commission for 11 years. Upon Mr. Bodrero’s retirement from the UDPS, the Governor requested that he serve as chair of the UCCJJ.

Mr. Bodrero is involved in numerous national professional law enforcement organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police Terrorism Committee. He has taught an upper-division terrorism and extremism course for the University of Utah, as well as a variety of law enforcement, leadership, management, and other criminal justice courses.

Mr. Bodrero is a graduate of the University of Utah with a master’s degree in public administration. He also received a bachelor of science degree in police science from Weber State University. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, 109th Session, and the FBI National Executive Institute, Session XIII, and has completed numerous specialized courses at the National Sheriffs’ Institute; the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, Tenth Session; and the Utah Law Enforcement Executive Development Institute, among others.

Bob Cummings is the Executive Vice President and a senior research associate of the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). He is currently the group leader for the Information Sharing Projects Group, which includes the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange, the Regional Information Sharing Systems, the ISE Privacy Guidelines Implementation Support Project, the Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program and Services, the National Fusion Center Training Event, and other related projects.

Mr. Cummings is also responsible for providing support to the Program Management Office (PMO) for the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative. This support includes working directly with the 72 nationally recognized fusion centers and providing training, business process, technology, privacy policy development, and other direct services as requested by the centers.

Prior to joining IIR, Mr. Cummings served with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in Tallahassee, Florida. As Assistant Commissioner of FDLE from 1988 to 2002, Mr. Cummings was second in command of the diverse statewide law enforcement organization with more than 2,000 members. He was directly responsible for criminal investigations, crime laboratories, Capitol Police, and the state law enforcement communications system.

Prior to assuming his position as Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Cummings was Director of Criminal Investigations for FDLE from 1985 to 1988. In this capacity, he managed the statewide criminal investigation division, with more than 600 employees located in 22 offices throughout the state of Florida. During 1982–1985, Mr. Cummings served with FDLE as Director of Executive Investigations. His responsibilities in this position were to oversee all Governor-ordered corruption investigations, provide security for the Governor, and supervise the management review process of FDLE. His duties also included investigation direction, staffing, budgeting, and quality control. During 1981–1982, Mr. Cummings acted in the capacity of Bureau Chief of the Law Enforcement Training Academy for FDLE. He was also the Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa, Florida, FDLE office and was the special agent assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division.

Mr. Cummings began his law enforcement career in 1969 as a deputy sheriff for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department in Clearwater, Florida, where his duties included patrol enforcement.

To further enhance his law enforcement career, Mr. Cummings has served as a president of the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies; secretary-treasurer of the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association; a member of each of the International Association of Chiefs of Police committees for Terrorism, Narcotics, and Investigations Operations; a member of the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Council; and a board member of the South Florida Money Laundering Task Force.

A graduate of Florida State University, Mr. Cummings holds a bachelor of science degree in criminology. He is a graduate of the 110th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Gina Hartsfield is a Senior Vice President and a senior research associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). She currently is the group leader for Training Services. In this capacity, she oversees and directs the development, coordination, and delivery of numerous national training and technical assistance programs designed for criminal justice personnel.

Ms. Hartsfield is involved in needs assessment and strategic planning, management and policy issues, training and technical assistance delivery oversight, and multimedia distance-learning design. For more than 20 years, she has been involved in instructional design, curriculum development, and classroom and online training delivery services for the criminal justice field. Ms. Hartsfield possesses extensive experience in coordinating and supporting a wide range of technical assistance initiatives for state, local, and tribal criminal justice entities. She serves as a liaison with the Bureau of Justice Assistance program office, directing the activities of the training and technical assistance programs and overseeing new initiatives.

Programs under her management include the Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative, the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program, the Center for Task Force Training Program, the Center for Task Force Leadership and Integrity, the Suspicious Activity Reporting Analytic Training Program, the Privacy 101 Training and Technical Assistance Program, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Anti-Gang Training Program, the Major Case Investigative Teams Training and Technical Assistance Program, and many others.

Previously, Ms. Hartsfield was a member of the team providing technical assistance, project coordination, and operational performance assessment services to the Organized Crime Narcotics Trafficking Enforcement Program and the Financial Investigations Program. She also served as a member of the team providing support and services to the Regional Information Sharing Systems Program.

Prior to joining IIR in 1986, Ms. Hartsfield served as a research and development assistant with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). In this capacity, she was involved in research efforts to support the department’s enforcement operations. Prior to joining FDLE, Ms. Hartsfield was employed with the Florida Public Service Commission in the Communications Division.

Ms. Hartsfield holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University.

Clay Jester is a Senior Vice President and the Information Technology Director with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). Most recently, he was in involved with the design and implementation of a project to facilitate the exchange of suspicious activity reporting (SAR) information whereby information can be shared to help detect and prevent terrorism-related criminal activity. Previously, he was responsible for the development and implementation effort for the National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR)—subsequently renamed the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). Mr. Jester provides program oversight for all technology-related applications. He is also responsible for managing the data systems activities of IIR. In this capacity, he develops and implements database management systems to support IIR’s role in the activities of the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program, State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program, Project Development and Implementation Training Program, Information Technology Support to the RISS Centers, Center for Task Force Training Program, National White Collar Crime Center, Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies (28 CFR Part 23) Technical Assistance and Training Program, and NSOPW, all of which are funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), as well as the National Gang Center, funded by BJA and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Additionally, he provides technical expertise to these projects regarding acquisition and use of microcomputer hardware and software. He is also responsible for the technical support of IIR’s video operations and multimedia applications.

Mr. Jester has developed and implemented various internal management information systems for IIR, including the implementation and support of an electronic communications system among IIR’s Florida, Georgia, Missouri, California, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Texas, and Arizona offices. He is responsible for identification, installation, configuration, and support of the components needed to facilitate resource availability for IIR and its clients. Additionally, he has coordinated the acquisition and implementation of the technology required to create multimedia applications delivered to IIR’s clients on optical media. Mr. Jester coordinated the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and installation of the components required to implement the RISS Secure Intranet (RISSNET). He has coordinated with computer security professionals to establish the integrity and protection of RISSNET system resources. He coordinated the design and implementation of all hardware, software, and communications required for the creation of NSOPR. Mr. Jester headed development of several specialized software applications produced by IIR for use by law enforcement.

Prior to joining IIR, Mr. Jester worked as a consultant for the Florida State University (FSU) computing center, during which time he was involved in establishing a microcomputer sales plan. In this capacity, he was responsible for assessing client requirements involving microcomputer software, hardware, and communications and recommending appropriate direction to deliver solution-oriented responses, as well as researching and evaluating new hardware and software product developments for potential implementation in governmental and private sector applications.

Mr. Jester has experience in several programming languages and the operating systems of both large and small computer systems. He is experienced in many computer environments and possesses specific capabilities with networking relational database systems. Mr. Jester has completed multiple courses offering specific training in the areas of database development and Microsoft network administration. Mr. Jester has also attended training sessions relating to protecting computer facilities from potential security threats.

While attending FSU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems, Mr. Jester was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Fraternity.

Bruce Buckley is a Vice President, the General Counsel, and a senior research associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). Mr. Buckley participates in the performance management assessment and operations analysis activities of the National White Collar Crime Center project. Mr. Buckley is also a member of the team providing technical support to the National Gang Center, a collaboration funded by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), as well as the team supporting the Regional Information Sharing Systems. 

Other IIR projects that Mr. Buckley has been involved in include the BJA Criminal Alien Identification and Intervention Program, the BJA Organized Crime Narcotics Trafficking Enforcement Program, the BJA Financial Investigations Program, and the U.S. Department of Justice Statewide Drug Prosecution Program.

Prior to joining IIR, Mr. Buckley served as justice planning coordinator with the Bureau of Criminal Justice Assistance, state of Florida, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, rising to the rank of special agent supervisor.

Mr. Buckley is a graduate of Florida State University with a juris doctorate degree from the College of Law and a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

Betty Collier is a Vice President and senior research associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). Currently, Ms. Collier is a member of the evaluation team conducting the national review and analysis of the management and operations of the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program. She is closely involved in the performance management assessment and provision of technical research and training to the six multistate RISS Centers and provides for technical support and coordination of continued development and implementation of RISSIntel—the RISS criminal intelligence database application—and electronic connection of the RISS Centers and member agency systems to the RISS Secure Intranet (RISSNET). Additionally, Ms. Collier participates in the project coordination, operational performance assessment, and policy research of the technology support program to the RISS Centers and the RISS/LEO (FBI Law Enforcement Online) system support, including coordinating implementation of the Automated Trusted Information Exchange and the connection of the U.S. Attorneys to RISSNET. Ms. Collier also participates in the technical assistance and training for the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies (28 CFR Part 23) Technical Assistance and Training Program.

Ms. Collier has been involved in numerous other IIR projects, including the Statewide Intelligence Systems Program, the National White Collar Crime Center project, and the Organized Crime Narcotics Trafficking Enforcement Program, all funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. She has also participated in the study of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Police Department and the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Police Department. She has also been involved in IIR projects with the Boca Raton, Florida, Police Department; the New Mexico Organized Crime Prevention Commission; the Massachusetts Department of the Attorney General; and the Gadsden, Alabama, Police Department.

Prior to joining IIR, Ms. Collier served in various capacities with the Criminal Intelligence Bureau of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). She was involved in developing, as well as directing, an intelligence analysis program that was a new concept in law enforcement efforts. Her responsibilities and experience included development of analytical approaches and concepts used in investigations of organized criminal activity, including terrorist activities; recruiting and training crime intelligence analysts and analyst supervisors; development and implementation of collection/retention/dissemination guidelines for intelligence; and continual evaluation of the intelligence analysis function. Ms. Collier coordinated the design and implementation of an automated system for processing intelligence and investigative reports in a decentralized environment.

From 1980 through 1982, Ms. Collier served in a research and development capacity in the Law Enforcement Data Center and the Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training at FDLE. During this period, she was responsible for a wide range of activities, including legislation impact assessments, budget preparation, development of productivity measures and standards for evaluation, and research and development studies. Ms. Collier was instrumental in the development and preparation of a comprehensive plan for implementation of the Florida Missing Children Information Clearinghouse.

Ms. Collier also participated as an instructor at in-service training classes for sworn personnel in methods and techniques of criminal intelligence analysis. She designed the curriculum for and participated in instructing in-service analyst training classes.

During her service with FDLE, Ms. Collier had extensive experience in the development of employee selection processes for various technical and professional job classifications to meet affirmative action goals. In addition, she served as a consultant in designing the intelligence operations for the Illinois Department of Law Enforcement reorganization project.

Ms. Collier holds a bachelor of science degree in business from Florida State University.

Mary Jo Dodd is a Vice President and the Comptroller for the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR).

Prior to joining IIR, Ms. Dodd was an audit manager at Law, Redd, Crona & Munroe, P.A., in Tallahassee, Florida, and at Suttle & Stalnaker, P.A., in Charleston, West Virginia. She provided accounting, auditing, and consulting services to state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations. In addition to managing financial, compliance, and single audits, her consulting services included evaluating and designing accounting and internal control systems, writing procedural manuals, reviewing and designing cost-allocation plans, performing financial monitoring of various federal grant programs, and other consulting services.

Ms. Dodd also served as the finance manager and acting executive director for the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority (licensee for three public television stations and numerous public radio stations) in Charleston, West Virginia, and as an accountant with the West Virginia Department of Health.

Ms. Dodd is a certified public accountant with an active license in Florida and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Ms. Dodd holds a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

Richard Ward is a Vice President and a senior research associate of the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR).

Prior to joining IIR in 2003, Mr. Ward held various positions within the U.S. Department of Justice. In his most recent position, he held the title of Deputy Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). His primary focus in that capacity was the design and development of BJA’s Information Technology Initiative, involving the integration and coordination of multiple federal, state, and local information sharing systems containing classified, law enforcement sensitive, and open source information into a comprehensive single sign-on and interfaced communications system. He also effectively handled the operations of the nation’s largest criminal justice funding agency, including the development and implementation of over 6,000 discretionary, formula, and block grant programs with a $2 billion annual appropriation. In February 2000, Mr. Ward was appointed Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, overseeing the agency’s law enforcement, corrections, and information technology functions. He held this position until January 2001, at which time Mr. Ward was appointed Acting Director of BJA by President George W. Bush. He successfully handled the oversight and management of the agency’s transition to the Bush Administration, completing this assignment in October 2001.

Mr. Ward began his federal employment in BJA’s predecessor organization, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA), in 1972 and subsequently served in a variety of capacities in the formula and discretionary program areas. Mr. Ward also served as a state representative to the Pacific Trust Territories and Guam while stationed in the San Francisco Regional Office of LEAA, and the states of Oregon, Washington, and Nevada during the transitional days of recentralizing LEAA. In 1978, Mr. Ward joined the Law Enforcement Division of LEAA as the Organized Crime Program Manager. In 1987, he assumed the responsibility as Chief of the Law Enforcement Branch, Discretionary Grants Program Division. In July 1993, Mr. Ward was promoted to the position of Director, Discretionary Grants Program Division, and, in 1994, assumed the position of Deputy Director, BJA. Mr. Ward also served for a number of years as a hearing officer for the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program. Mr. Ward was appointed to the government’s Senior Executive Service in 1994.

Among the many honors received throughout his career was the Assistant Attorney General's Award in 1991 and the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award in 1994. In 2004, Mr. Ward was invited to become a principal in the Council for Excellence in Government, a public/private partnership organization designed to improve the effectiveness of federal, state, and local government.

Mr. Ward’s education at Skyline College, Pacifica, California; the University of Maryland, College Park; and the University of Florida, Gainesville, focused primarily on criminal justice, economics, and accounting.

Brian Williams is a Vice President and the Multimedia Manager with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). He performs a major technical role in the direction of multimedia productions and training applications for IIR programs funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. He is responsible for all aspects of multimedia production—video, CD, DVD, and PowerPoint production—including initial planning, preproduction, scriptwriting, production, postproduction, authoring, and duplication.

Mr. Williams provides research and multimedia production services to the Center for Task Force Training Program, the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program, the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program, the Project Development and Implementation Training Program, the Information Technology Support to the RISS Program, the Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies (28 CFR Part 23) Technical Assistance and Training Program, the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, the Tribe and Territory Sex Offender Registry System Program, the Multistate Anti-Terrorism Information Exchange Project, and the National Gang Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. He coordinates multimedia applications addressing the specific areas of multiagency response and operational training needs.

Previously, Mr. Williams’ responsibilities included data compilation and analysis, technical editing, data and research development, and report preparation to support IIR’s role in the RISS Program, the New England Organized Crime Strike Force, and the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration Major White Collar Crime Program. Mr. Williams was also responsible for development and implementation of IIR’s research library cataloging system.

From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Williams served in the United States Air Force as a law enforcement officer, attaining the rank of sergeant. In this capacity, Mr. Williams was involved in supervising personnel, maintaining security of an overseas (Belgium) nuclear weapons base, investigating incidents and complaints concerning base security, apprehending and restraining suspected felons, and enforcing standards of conduct and military law.

Mr. Williams holds a bachelor of science degree in communication from Florida State University.