Center for National Preparedness

Certificate in National Preparedness and Homeland Seurity

Directors

Carey BalabanCarey D. Balaban received a B.A. in History (High Honors) from Michigan State University in 1975. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Anatomy at the University of Chicago in 1979. After postdoctoral training at the University of Tokyo (1979-1982), and a faculty position at the Pennsylvania State University, he joined the University of Pittsburgh faculty in 1988. He is currently Professor of Otolaryngology, Neurobiology, Communication Sciences & Disorders, and Bioengineering and is a Director of the Center for National Preparedness. More...

Ken SochatsKen Sochats is a Director of the Center for National Preparedenss. He is a Founding Member of the Center and an originator of the Certificate in National Preparedness and Homeland Security. He has over thirty years experience in academia and currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Federal Emergency Managment Agency Region III. More...

Faculty and Subject Matter Experts

Walt StoyDr. Stoy is a Professor and Director of the Emergency Medicine Program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. For the past four years (June 2006 – May 2010) he served as the Executive Director of the UPMC/HMC Partnership in Qatar, International and Commercial Services Division. The list of titles and honors that Dr. Stoy holds shows his absolute dedication and commitment to the growth of EMS education. He has been given two lifetime achievement awards: one in 2002 from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, and another in 2005 from the National Association of EMS Educators.More...

Lisa BernardoLisa Bernardo, PHD, MPH, RN, HFI, is an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing who specializes in the health and community system. She teaches Risk Factors and Health (NUR 1765), Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice (NUR 1281), and Introduction to Nursing Science (NUR 1070). An academic advisor to undergraduate nursing students, Dr. Bernardo is the Coordinator of the School Nurse Certification Program and the Fitness Minor. Dr. Bernardo earned her PhD from New York University, her MPH from the University of Pittsburgh, her MSN from Widener University, and her BSN from Duquesne University. Dr. Bernardo’s current research focuses on evidence-based practice in non-traditional health promotion and fitness activities.More...

Michael BeachMichael Beach, DNP, ANCP-BC, PNP is an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing who specializes in acute and tertiary care. Dr. Beach has worked in search and rescue and disaster management for the past 15 years within the tri-state area. Besides experience with pre-hospital emergency medical treatment, Dr. Beach has particular interest and expertise in tracking, team management, diving and technical rescue. In early September, following the Hurricane Katrina disaster along the Gulf Coast, Dr. Beach and his search and rescue team joined with the Red Cross to provide relief to victims in the Mississippi towns of Waveland and Pearlington.More...

F. Michael LangleyMichael Langley is the founder and President of Langley Group, an economic development consulting practice with offices in Pittsburgh and Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and also earned a master’s degree in information systems from the Naval Postgraduate School. He was awarded a doctorate in Humanities by American Intercontinental University for his work in community improvement. He retired as Navy Captain with 25 years of service. He worked for Westinghouse for twelve years in senoir managment positions, becoming President/Chief Executive Officer of CBS/Westinghouse Audio Intelligence Devices. More...

George T. MathewsGeorge Mathews is the Security (Business Continuity) Architect for Education Management Corporation. Prior to that he was Recovery Planning, IT Governance Manager for Equitable Resources (Now EQT Corporation) and Senior Manager, Business Continuity Planning at Federated Investors. George is a Certified Business Continuity Planner and holds the ITIL Foundations Certificate. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Three Rivers Contingency Planning Association. More...

Bob ReganBob Regan is an expert in geographic infomation systems. In addition to his many years of experience in academia, industry and government, Bob served as Assistant Chief Geologist at the US Geological Survey. While at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Bob trained the Apollo astronauts for the moon landing. More...

Bob StabyMr. Robert Staby is the Field Intelligence Officer for TSA/DHS - Western Pennsylvania where he disseminates and exchanges intelligence and information in the aviation, pipeline, highway, rail and mass transit sectors. Mr. Staby began his Homeland Security career with TSA in December 2002, is currently in the intelligence community, and previously 29 years in the security and law enforcement community.More...

Charles RodgerChuck Rodger is the Business Resiliency Specialist of the Disaster Management Center for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is a Certified Business Continuity Professional with 25 years of experience in emergency management, preparedness, response and recovery. His areas of expertise include corporate crisis leadership and the development and execution of various types of planning and exercise activities. Prior to joining UPMC, Rodger spent 16 years at PNC and Mellon Financial Services. Rodger is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and was responsible for the development and implementation of technology risk management, business resiliency and crisis management architectures for several of the largest financial services corporations.>More...