I write you with the news that we have created a Director of Campus Safety and Security position on our school's full-time staff. As you know, the safety of our students on our campus is paramount and, as managing our 231-acre campus becomes more complex, we have created an entirely new upper administrative level position where important issues such as fire drills, lockdown strategies, carpool lines, security staff training and management, and evaluation of security and safety procedures will fall under one person.
We will continue to strive to have an open environment where the way children feel safe is in their ability to venture back and forth among buildings and grounds as their age permits. Over time, though, it has become clear that we need an expert with special skills and experience in protecting people and property to help us achieve our safety plan while protecting the strong sense of community on our campus.
Starting on January 21, Tim Williams will be responsible for all our crisis management and security operations at the school.
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Tim Williams, CPP |
Tim is a certified protection professional (CPP) who comes to Columbus Academy most recently from the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, where he is the Director of Stadium Security at Heinz Field. A native of Ohio and graduate of Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Tim earned his B.A. from Clarion University, his M.S. in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University and his J.D. from Capital University Law School. He then began a 22-year career in the FBI, where he served in a variety of roles ranging from running the protective detail of the U.S. Attorney General to serving as Unit Chief at FBI headquarters for special events of the counterterrorism division. In that position, he secured such events as the Super Bowl, State of the Union, Republican and Democratic National Conventions, World Cup matches and the Winter and Summer Olympics.
After talking at length with Tim throughout the application process, there is little doubt that he is extremely skilled at risk assessment and crisis management, but what appealed most to us when he visited campus was his kind, polite and careful nature. Out of an outstanding national pool of candidates with experience managing security at major university campuses, sophisticated corporate headquarters and even Presidential secret service details, Tim offered the compelling mix of strategic thinking, an interest in an educational setting and a warm presence.
We look forward to Tim's arrival and will offer, throughout the winter and early spring, moments when students, parents, faculty and staff can begin getting to know him.
Most sincerely,
Head of School
