Lindsey Bohrer
Lindsey currently serves as a Public Information Officer with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) where she handles all Homeland Security and Bureau of Motor Vehicles related media calls for the department. Before her position at ODPS, she worked as an Assignment Editor for WSYX-6 in Columbus, Ohio. As an Assignment Editor, Lindsey selected, developed and planned stories to be covered by reporters while maintaining contact with outside news agencies, police and fire departments, and other news sources to obtain helpful information regarding developing news. Lindsey is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Communications.

Lindsey grew up in a military family; her father has been a member of the Active Army and Ohio National Guard for 30 years. He currently serves as the Adjutant General for the State of Ohio.

Lindsey resides in Hilliard with her husband, Matthew.

Back to Top

Walter Brown
Walter Brown has 20 years of state service that began at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and continued at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Public Safety, where he serves as the Director of Grants Administration for the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS).

As director, Walter supervises a staff of seven responsible for administering $30 million in federal funds to state agencies and local communities throughout Ohio. He plans, directs and coordinates comprehensive statewide criminal justice programs, reviews and monitors projects for effectiveness in achieving OCJS’ goals and acts as a liaison to federal agencies to ensure the agency meets compliance and reporting regulations.  Walter also advises the Executive Director and makes recommendations on administrative policies and procedures as well as program proposals and budget matters.

Walter is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as an Auto Pilot Specialist. He attends Franklin University and resides in Lewis Center.

Back to Top

Milan K. Bunch

Milan joined the Ohio Department of Public Safety in September 2003; serving at the Alum Creek Facility as a Stores Clerk, until his promotion to his current position as a Purchasing Assistant, in October, 2005. He is a Columbus native, in addition to being a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and U.S. Navy Retiree.

Milan's service in the U.S. Marine Corps began in 1981 and was comprised of Administrative and Logistics duties in North Carolina and Puerto Rico. From 1982 to 1985 he served while deployed to Denmark, Okinawa, Japan and Korea. Returning to the U.S. as a meritoriously promoted Sergeant, he served as a Firearms/Marksmanship Instructor and U.S. Embassy Guard Personal Property Shipment Coordinator, both in Quantico, Virginia; until his honorable discharge in December, 1988. 

Milan returned to the military in 1990, with the U.S. Navy. Upon graduation from Storekeeper "A" School and promotion to Petty Officer 3rd Class, in 1991; he reported to his first ship, the USS San Jacinto (CG-56); while it was actively involved in Operation Desert Storm. He served in Aviation Support and various Supply related assignments, until 1995.

This was followed by an ashore assignment with Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity; a U.S. Navy Ship Repair Facility based in Norfolk, Virginia. While there, Milan was promoted to Petty Officer First Class and selected as a Departmental Sailor of the Year, in 1996; for his leadership and service as the Purchasing Branch Lead Agent and Supervisor.

In 1998, Milan joined the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Porter (DDG-78). During this assignment, he served as the ship’s Hazardous Material Manager; accountable to the Supply Officer for all activities, functions and safe handling of Hazardous Materials, on the ship. During his U.S. Navy service, he completed 2 six month deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as visited numerous countries; with fondest memories of his visits to Barcelona, Spain and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Milan retired on 31 Dec 2002, with over 20 years of military service.

Milan and his family reside in Newark, Ohio.

Keven Clouse
Kevin Clouse has worked in the public sector in the Emergency Management field for over 17 years. He first became involved in emergency management as part of his Eagle Scout project in 1985-86, where he developed a team of youths to work with the American Red Cross in the event of disaster.

Kevin is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he earned the Bronze Star for merit as a member of the 4th Infantry Division. Immediately following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he deployed to southwestern Mississippi and New Orleans as a member of Task Force Buckeye. He is a qualified US Army instructor, having fulfilled the requirements of the Combined Arms Services Staff School (CAS3), and is currently serving a tour of duty as the Intergovernmental Affairs Officer for the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Ohio National Guard. He has served in the Army National Guard since 1986 in a variety of positions including cavalry scout, armor battalion logistics officer and M-1 Abrams Company Commander.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Otterbein College and received the Emergency Management Professional Development Series Capstone Certificate (PDS) in 1993 through the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He also completed the requirements for the Advanced Professional Development Series (APDS) in 2008.

Buffy Gibb
Buffy Gibb currently serves as an Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Her position requires her to track and monitor a myriad of issues associated with the operations of the State of Ohio’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Division, Investigative Unit, Office of Criminal Justice Services, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Agency.

Prior to joining the Ohio Department of Public Safety, she worked in a variety of customer service oriented positions. She has experience in a plethora of situations dealing with the public both in the medical and financial arenas. She has also served in various charitable efforts to include the Department’s Combined Charitable Campaign and the Holiday Food Basket program.

Buffy is a daughter of an U.S. Army veteran. Buffy has been married to James B. Gibb for 20 years, has one daughter, Courtney, and one granddaughter, Savannah.

Back to Top

Thomas Gwinn
Tom Gwinn has been an Investigator with the Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) since 2006. He was commissioned as a State Highway Patrol Trooper in 1991, and served eight years at the Findlay Post. After a promotion to Sergeant in 2000, he then served as an assistant commander at the posts in Wapakoneta and Findlay before transferring to the Lancaster Post in 2003. In his career, he earned the Saved by the Belt & Health/Physical Fitness awards, and was recognized for ten years of safe driving. Tom’s patrol career ended with disability retirement in 2006, after 15 years of service.

Tom is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In 1986, he joined the United State Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to Headquarter Squad of the Military Police Company C, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th MLG, in Dayton, Ohio. Tom was part of a team that volunteered to go to Operation Desert Shield/Storm in December 1990 and returned in May, 1991. Tom has earned the Selected Marine Reserve Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (Saudi/Kuwait), Desert Shield/Storm Service Medal, National Defense Medal & Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Tom graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Back to Top

Duke Hobson
Duke Hobson is the Section Chief of Deputy Registrar and Title Support Services (DR.A.T.S.S.) with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. His section and units are responsible for administering statewide operational practices and procedures for Deputy Registrars, Ohio County Clerks of Courts of Common Pleas and Title Offices, and for supporting the more than 30 million auto titles issued annually to Ohio citizens. He is a recipient of the Department’s “Excellence in Service Award.”

Duke is a Vietnam-era veteran who has both an active and reserve military career that spans 33 years. He is a 2004 Honor Graduate of the Army’s Sergeants Major Academy and now holds the highest enlisted rank attainable as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major. Command Sergeant Major Hobson has been deployed twice, initially serving 14 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was previously assigned intermittent Division level responsibility in the U.S. Among his honors and recognitions are that he was awarded the Army Bronze Star; “Soldier of the Year” awarded by the United States Congress and “Soldier of the Year” awarded by the Ohio House of Representatives. As a Reserve Franklin County Deputy Sheriff, he also serves as a training officer for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard Unit and is a certified Master SCUBA Diver and Dive Master with the Department’s Dive Rescue, Search and Recovery Team.

Duke holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife, LaTonya, have six children between them. The family resides in northeast Columbus.

Back to Top

Marcella Kindle
Marcella L. Kindle, began her career with the Ohio Department of Public Safety in 1996 with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In 1998, she became a Secretary with the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and was later promoted to her current position as OIU’s Food Stamp Administrator. As the OIU Food Stamp Administrator, she works closely with Job and Family Services and the USDA to coordinate food stamp fraud and assist with WIC fraud investigations.

Marcella is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving five years active and one year reserve duty. She was stationed in four states and in Korea during her military service. When her tour of duty was up, she returned to her hometown of Fremont, Ohio where she worked for the Fremont City Water Department. She also was a member of Leadership Sandusky County and a volunteer for T.A.S.C. (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes). She holds an Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems and Business Management.

Marcella resides in Columbus and has two adult daughters.

Back to Top

James Lee Jr.
James Lee joined the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Deputy Registrar Technical Support Services Unit in 2005. He continues to serve in the DTS Support Services Unit as a help desk technician assisting all Deputy Registrars statewide with technical, process and informational issues. Along with his daily help desk duties, he provides technical training for members of his unit. Prior to joining the BMV, he was a Technician, Supervisor and Manager with AT&T’s Global Network Management Center.

James is an Air Force veteran.

Back to Top

Jim Luebbers
Jim Luebbers has worked with the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) since December 1999. He began at OCJS as an Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System (OIBRS) Trainer, to Policy Specialist, and now as a Criminal Justice Planning Supervisor.

Mr. Luebbers is responsible for collecting the OIBRS crime data from participating law enforcement agencies in Ohio and submits the data to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has assisted in the implementation of the Law Enforcement Officer’s Toolkit records management system for Ohio law enforcement and OIBRS Repository that stores the crime data reported to OCJS. Mr. Luebbers also acts as a liaison to local Ohio law enforcement as it relates to their criminal justice needs.

Mr. Luebbers received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Ohio Dominican University located in Columbus, Ohio.

Back to Top

James McCasland
For 12 years, James “Scotty” McCasland has been a Specification Writer/Administration Assistant in ODPS’ Administration Division where he is responsible for writing RFPs, RFQs and other major acquisition instruments for the Department and evaluating the applications, a position he has held for over 12 years.

Prior to joining the ODPS staff, Scotty worked at the Battelle Memorial Institute, Rockwell International Aircraft Division, Rockwell International Missile Systems Division and General Dynamics Aircraft Division. His major focus with these employers involved the application of advanced and/or emerging technology to proposed new weapon systems.

Scotty’s military experience includes naval service during the Vietnam War, Guantanamo Bay and in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea & Reserve Commands. He has vast experience with the deployment of military personnel and their relationship to family members.

Scotty has a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Masters of Management Science degree from Texas Christian University.

Back to Top

Chuck Milam
Chuck Milam has been the Education Coordinator for Emergency Medical Services for the past three years. Prior to joining EMS, he was Regional Safety Director for ABF Trucking Company for Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. Previously, he served 26 years with the Ohio Highway Patrol before retirement.

He was a Trooper at the Dayton Post before being promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Findlay Post and to the Xenia Post. In 1990, he transferred to the General Headquarters where he was promoted to Lieutenant. As Executive Lieutenant, he oversaw the operation of the Planning and Analysis Section which is responsible for Records for Crash and Investigation, Layout and Design, Photo Shop and Special Event Planning for the Patrol. He then moved to Licensing and Commercial Standards, where he worked with Driver Examination Stations throughout the state, Private and Third Party Commercial Driving Schools, CDL testing rules and regulations and instructing new officers at the Patrol Academy on commercial vehicle enforcement. He is a two-time recipient of the Auto Larceny Award for recovery of stolen vehicles.

Chuck graduated from Northwestern University Traffic Institute in Chicago, Sinclair University in Dayton and the United States Department of Transportation Safety Institute.

Chuck is a resident of Grove City, is married and has three grown children and four grandchildren.

Back to Top

Mandowl Nixon
Mandowl Nixon has been on staff with the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) for nearly 14 years. He serves as OIU’s training committee, underage drinking coalitions and the Make it Happen Foundation of Columbus.

Mandowl has over 19 years of military service. In 2007, he was selected to represent OIU as a member of the newly formed ODPS Military Committee. He also actively participates on two subcommittees; Awards and Recognition, and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The ESGR subcommittee was instrumental in the ODPS Military Committee receiving three awards at the state level; Above and Beyond, ESGR Pro Patria and AMVETS Pro Patria awards in the first year of its inception.

Mandowl holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Management from Franklin University.

Back to Top

Tina O’Grady
As Administrator of the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) since March 2008, Tina O’Grady promotes the mission of the OTSO to save lives and reduce injuries on Ohio’s roads through leadership and partnering efforts with others interested in traffic safety, utilizing the most innovative and efficient methods possible of managing state and federal resources.

OTSO coordinates and funds the efforts of DUI Task Forces, local law enforcement and safety partners around the state to combat impaired and unsafe driving. OTSO also promotes educational programs, coalition-building efforts and campaigns focused on highway safety in addition to housing the state’s Motorcycle Ohio program, Ohio’s Driver Training program and the Traffic Statistics Division for the Department.

O’Grady joined the Ohio Department of Public Safety in 2007 as the Director of Community Affairs and was responsible for developing and coordinating departmental outreach efforts, including the Cultural Competence Initiative which enhances communications with diverse, multi-cultural communities and improves service to all Ohioans. She was also instrumental in the coordination of Ohio’s successful statewide National Preparedness Month campaign in 2007 and ODPS’ efforts to support the Governor’s Summit on Campus Safety and Security.

O’Grady’s more than 20 years of public service experience includes serving as All-Hazards Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Mental Health where she created a statewide operating system to integrate a behavioral health response into the state Homeland Security terrorism preparedness and local emergency operations plans. At the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, she was responsible for the development of victim services programs and the distribution of federal and state funds throughout Ohio.

O’Grady is a graduate of The Ohio State University and resides in Hilliard, Ohio

Back to Top

Captain Kevin Teaford
Captain Kevin Teaford currently serves as the Commander of the Selection and Standards Section in the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Office of Training Selection and Standards.

Captain Teaford received his commission as Trooper in 1988. He has risen through the Patrol through promotion from Trooper to his current rank of Captain. He has served at the Jackson, Gallipolis, Ironton and West Jefferson Posts. He became a Staff Lieutenant in the Office of Human Resource Management, where he served as Commander of the Labor Relation and Career Development Units. He received his promotion to Captain in 2004 and served as Executive Officer in the Office of Human Resources Management.

In 1991, Captain Teaford earned the Post Trooper of the Year Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rio Grande and completed graduate credits at Ohio University and The University of Virginia. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Captain Teaford and his wife, Becky, reside in Central Ohio, while their son attends college in Tennessee.

Back to Top

Dennis Tomcik
Dennis Tomcik is the Chief of the Field Operations, Training and Exercise Branch for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency where he directs the frontline interface between the state and 88 local emergency management agencies during local and state level emergencies. He also directs the Training and Exercise Section which designs, coordinates and participates in emergency exercises on a statewide basis. The section also provides statewide emergency management training. Additionally, he is responsible for the statewide Disaster Logistics Support Program which coordinates with federal, state and local government personnel, business, industry, public service and related organizations statewide for the logistical support that may require the Strategic National Stockpile and other resources needed for disasters, technological emergencies and terrorism response. Dennis serves on the First Responder Subcommittee of the State of Ohio Security Task Force as well as sitting on the Dam Safety Committee and Animal Rescue Technical Advisory Council.

Dennis retired from the Ohio National Guard after 27 years of service, both active and National Guard, in 1997 serving as a Colonel in charge of Operations. While in the Ohio National Guard, he also served as a Commander of the Ravenna Arsenal Training and Logistics Site and served as a member of a NATO team that assisted the entrance of the nation of Hungary into NATO. His military career includes two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served as an infantry Company Commander. In addition, he is qualified as a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger and received the following awards: two Distinguished Service Crosses, nine Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and other awards for valor.

Mr. Tomcik is a graduate of the University of New York with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College.

Back to Top

Mary Tyler
Mary Tyler is currently serving as the Division of Homeland Security’s Local Coordination Unit Leader where she manages the division’s information sharing and technology initiatives working directly with the Strategic Analysis and information Center (SAIC). She oversees the Ohio Response System to include various Tactical Advisory Committees.

Mary began her state service with the Ohio Department of Public Safety in 2003, just prior to the creation of the Division of Homeland Security later that year. With the creation of the division, Mary served as liaison with other ODPS divisions as well as in various OHS positions such as Grant Administrator, Program Administrator, Chief of External Affairs Section, Anti-Terrorism Awareness Office and Local Coordination Unit Leader. As part of her responsibilities, she created numerous brochures and outreach materials as well as the information-sharing databases which is shared on a federal, state and local level.

Prior to joining Homeland Security, Mary worked for a major telecommunications company where she managed several technology projects.

Mary’s educational background is in business administration and criminal justice. She is a licensed firearm and CCW instructor. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army where she served as a military police officer as well as an investigator dealing with juveniles and covert drug operations.

Mary resides in Cable, Ohio with her husband and youngest daughter. She has two other daughters and four grandchildren.

Back to Top

Shana Washington
Shana Washington has been the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of the Deputy Registrar and Title Support Services (DR.A.T.S.S.) with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for two years. She is the subject matter expert of the DRATSS section. She also serves as the public information recorder to the committees of the ATPS Board and the Military Committee. Prior to DRATSS, Shana was a Secretary with the Licensing and Commercial Standards Section of the Ohio State Highway Patrol for over eight years.

Shana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Management Science degree from the University of Phoenix (Polaris Division). She is currently attending Franklin University in pursuit of a Master of Business Administration degree. She and her husband, Caleb, have been married for six years and have a blended family of three children. The Washington family resides in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Back to Top

Krista Weida
In 2005, Krista Weida joined the Ohio Department of Public Safety where she currently works as an Associate Legal Counsel advising the Department on employment & labor-related practices as well as advising the Ohio Traffic Safety Office on various legal matters.

In her previous legal career, Krista was an Associate Legal Counsel for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Board of Veteran’s Appeals, in Washington D.C. In 2003, she returned to the Columbus area and worked as a Labor Relations Specialist for the Department of Administrative Services, Office of Collective Bargaining. As a Labor Relations Specialist, she worked with various State agencies in the oversight of Ohio’s various collective bargaining agreements, including the advocating of arbitration cases.

Krista graduated from The Ohio State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and minors in Spanish and Political Science. She attended Capital University Law School, obtaining a specialization in employment and labor law, and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2000.

Back to Top