Homeland security professor tapped for national advisory committee

William H. Parrish, associate professor for homeland security and emergency planning, has been appointed to the Academe and Policy Research Senior Advisory Committee, part of the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council.

The committee provides expert advice on technology, policy development and academic management. The advisory council, of which Parrish is also a member, is made up of officials from the government, private sector and academia, and advises and makes recommendations to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Parrish joined VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs in 2004, where he helped create the nation’s first undergraduate major in homeland security and emergency planning. Before joining the university, Parrish held numerous positions in the Department of Homeland Security, including senior adviser to then-Secretary Tom Ridge. He also served as the department’s senior representative to FBI Headquarters and established the Office of Anti-Terrorism for the U.S. Customs Service. A retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, Parrish served as commanding officer of the Marine Corps Security Forces, charged with providing security to U.S. government installations around the world.

Parrish has more than 30 years experience in anti-terrorism training and emergency operations planning.

More information on the Homeland Security Advisory Council or the Academe and Policy Research Senior Advisory Committee can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=5705.