Our Leadership Team
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The Open Public Safety Institute (OPS Institute) began as Open Fire Academy, International. In 2011, we had remarkable growth and expansion. Our catalog now offers courses globally in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement and General Studies. Our focus has, and always will be, the international public safety community.
Michael D. Finney – Founder and CEO
Michael is a 25-year veteran of the fire service, having served at all ranks from Firefighter to Chief. He also serves on the faculty staff for American Military University, Grand Canyon University, Fairleigh-Dickinson University, and Ivy Bridge College. He previously served as the Director of Public Safety Services for Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development and the Fire Chief for the Village of Glendale, Ohio. Michael has been honored to serve with such organizations as the International Fire Service Training Association/ Fire Protection Publications and with the South Carolina Fire Academy. He is also an adjunct instructor with the National Fire Academy for the “Fire Service Course Design” program. He has authored/edited several books and numerous magazine publications in leadership and training for the fire service. He has also performed extensive research in issues related to fire service training. Michael holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of South Carolina, a Masters of Divinity from Columbia International University, and is currently completing a Doctorate in Education from Oklahoma State University and is listed in the 2003 edition of Who’s Who in America and in the 2007 edition of Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders.
Contact: Michael.Finney@openpublicsafetyinstitute.org
Orlando P. Willis – Vice President of Operations
Orlando P. Willis is a 19-year veteran of the fire service, having served at all ranks from Firefighter to Chief. He currently serves as the Fire Chief of the Victoryland Fire/Rescue, Shorter, Al at Victoryland Hotel/Casino and Live Racing where he planed, developed, and designed a new fire department. This is a Private Industry Fire Department. Also, plan and develop of the Open Fire Academy, International online learning. He previously served as the Chief of Training for 117ARW Military Fire Department, Birmingham, Al. Shift Commander of 187th FW, F-16 unit, Military Fire Department ,Montgomery, Al. Also, Prattville Fire Department as firefighter, Municipal Fire Department, Prattville, Al. Orlando is honored to serve with the Alabama Fire College as Adjunct instructor, where he is considered Airport Rescue Firefighter and ARFF: Driver Operator subject matter expert. The American Red Cross of Central Alabama as Health and Safety/ Industrial, where Orlando has developed and consultant for various areas in health & safety and industrial relations. Orlando serves as consultant with many industrial companies from developing their Emergency Response Teams & Hazmat First Responder/Operations Teams. Orlando P. Willis currently holds a position with Open Public Safety Institute as Vice President of Operations, Orlando has been key element in planning, designing, and development of OPS Institute , OPS Consultant Management Services as Director of Operations. Orlando has also, severed as Fire Academy Director with Edvancement Solutions, and with Open Fire Academy, International. He has also performed extensive research in issues related to public safety training and education with industrial
relations domestic and international. He has been honored with Medal of Valor (Saving the life of a Child while off duty out of a home fire), Fire Fighter of the Year, and Emergency medical care provider of the year back-to-back years. Orlando holds an Associate degree Medical Assistant, a Bachelors degree in Occupational Health and Safety, a Master’s of Science in Emergency Management, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education.
Contact: Orlando.Willis@openpublicsafetyinstitute.org
Willian A. Jetter, Ph.D, MiFireE,CHSII, OFE, CFO, Director of Business Development
Willian is a highly motivated administrative professional with more than 31 years experience managing a variety of projects and personnel simultaneously while also maintaining his presence as a teacher, leader, and executive. He has demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills and has a vast working experience with all levels of management and professionals. He is an intelligent, take charge, dedicated administrator supported by knowledge and a solid organizational foundation.
Contact: William.Jetter@openpublicsafetyinstitute.org
Brad Dougherty, Director of North American Training Operations
I am a seventeen year student of the fire service, After being witness to my fathers passion and success for the fire service, I decided that I would follow in his foot steps. I began my career in 1996 at the age of fiffteen as a volunteer firefighter with the White Oak Volunteer Fire Department in White Oak Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh, I would travel back to Pennsylvania and stay with my grandparents over summer vacation. During my highschool years I joined the Langley Air Force Base Fire Department Explorer Program. During these periods of my career I began laying down my foundation, building upon each and every experience. After high school graduation I was hired as a career firefighter with the Department of Defense. I began at the Detroit Arsenal Fire Department in Warren, Mi. After a year of service in Michigan, I moved back to Virginia serving as a Firefighter – Driver Operator at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Hospital after the abolishment of the organization I moved to Naval Air Station Patuxent River Fire Department. Currently I am a Lieutenant with Naval Station Norfolk Fire & Emergency Services. I have been in this organization for eleven years and I have had the opportunity to serve in Engine, Truck, Rescue and ARFF companies. Currently I am assigned to the Naval Stations only Quint, I am also a member of the Regional Offensive Hazardous Materials Team I serve as a Hazardous Materials Technician as well as HAZ-MAT Incident Commander my main responsibilities include plume plotting and modeling as well as research ,I am also a member of the Regional Honor Guard, throughout my career I have had the opportunity to serve in various organizations from industrial, rural, urban combination and completely volunteer. I have taken away experiences from each organization and I have learned from them so that I may continually serve my customers both internal and external with the highest quality service each time I am called upon. In my spare time I am a State of Virginia Fire instructor and NFPA 1403 Compliance Officer, contributing editor with VAFIRENEWS.com and an instructor-advocate with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. I hold Fire Officer III and Instructor III certifications in the State of Virginia as well as the Department of Defense. I also maintain numerous State of Virginia Train the Trainer Certifications. Currently I am pursuing my Fire Officer IV, Fire Officer Accreditation through the Center for Public Excellence and my bachelors degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University.
Contact: Brad.Dougherty@openpublicsafetyinstitute.org
Wes Doss, Law Enforcement and Security Academy Director
Wes is an internationally recognized firearms, tactics, and use of force instructor with over 20 years of military & civilian criminal justice experience, as well as significant operational time with both military & law enforcement tactical operations & protective service organizations. Wes holds specialized instructor certifications from the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, Arizona POST, the Smith & Wesson Academy, the Sigarms Academy, the NRA LEAD, FEMA and the Department of State.
Wes has studied adult education & human performance extensively and has a broad background in the martial arts, with over 25 years of training, teaching, full contact fighting experience. Wes is the Founder, President, & General Operating Manager of Khyber Interactive Associates, LLC and the 1 inch to 100 yards Warrior Conference LLC.
Wes holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and an upper level Doctorate in Psychology, with an emphasis on sports and performance
psychology. Wes is a member of a number of professional associations, including: The International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), The National Rifle Association (NRA), The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), The Military Police Regimental Association (MPRA), The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) and the International Association of Counter Terrorism and Security Professionals (IACTSP). Wes is also a published author, with numerous articles in various publications, such as; American Hand gunner, American Cop, Police Magazine, Law Officer, SWAT magazine, ASLET “The Trainer”, and The NTOA “Tactical Edge”. Wes is also the author of the bestselling books “Train to Win”, and “Condition to Win” both are training psychology/philosophy books focused on law enforcement and military trainers and professionals.
Aaron Richman, Homeland Security Academy Director
Aaron Richman is the Co Director for the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response in Philadelphia and Israel, where he is responsible for the global Targeted Actionable Monitoring Center’s intelligence and research projects and is an assistant professor for the master’s degree Disaster Medicine and Management program for Philadelphia University.
He specializes in emergency planning and training for incidents of weapons of mass destruction and suicide bombings. Richman has conducted various research projects dealing with best practices in terror response and command considerations for such incidents. Mr. Richman comes from a career in military and law enforcement in the Middle East. After serving military tours in Israel, he was recruited to the Central Command of the Israel National Police where he worked in various capacities at a command level to include, narcotics, counter terrorism and operations.
Mr. Richman is formerly, Director of the Center for Special Operations Training located in Philadelphia, PA. Under this federally funded Center, Richman established a statewide weapon of mass destruction program with the mission of preparing pre hospital and hospital care personnel in the proper responses to various threats. This program included preparing healthcare facilities in hospital incident command compliancy as well as emergency response planning, exercising, and training.
Mr. Richman has partaken in numerous training events associated with emergency services and law enforcement, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security as a consultant. He has instructed paramedics, law enforcement personnel, and civilians in mass casualty incidents, suicide bombers, and weapons of mass destruction. Among the many projects taken part in, Richman has developed, facilitated, and played in exercises in Israel and the USA ranging from tabletop, functional, and full scale. A number of the scenarios involved school safety and security incidents and the interoperability between school administration, law enforcement and emergency management. At a regional level, he has taken part in the assessment and evaluation of the preparedness levels of a regional task force, school emergency plans, community center vulnerability assessments, maritime assets (ISPS), and red teaming for countermeasure effectiveness.
Currently, Richman is managing a number of international projects in the field of counter terrorism and emergency management to include programs sponsored by the European Union and NATO. The two separate research projects address emergency management and the response to a weapon of mass destruction incident for the European Union and NATO forces. In addition, he is a lead instructor and curriculum developer for the Department of Homeland Security sponsored program, Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents. He has developed curriculum for New Mexico Technical Institute in Medical Preparedness and Response to Bombing Incidents and Initial Law Enforcement Response to Suicide Bombing Attacks, as well as a subject matter expert and guest lecture on counter terrorism for the International Law Enforcement Academy. Mr. Richman has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Leicester and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University, as well as various specialized counter terror training in the U.S. and Israel. Currently, Richman is a Doctoral candidate in Public Policy and Homeland Security.
Sherri Ison, Industrial Safety and Compliance Academy Director
Sherri Ison is a 23 year veteran as an instructor in the Health & Safety Field, through her extensive experience Sherri found there was a need to bring life saving skills and companies compliance requirements together in a fun, entertaining way. Sherri teaches over 100 federally mandated courses. OSHA Construction, OSHA General Industry, Agriculture Safety and Compliance, MSHA, part 46 and Part 48, HAZWOPER, HAZMAT, DOT, EPA. Incident Command, Emergency Management, ISO 14001 and ISO 9000. She also works with County officials and law enforcement for Drug and Alcohol training in the school system and CPR/First Aid skills to grade school children.
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