The Virginia Public Safety Foundation is pleased to announce that the following individuals have agreed to serve as Directors of the Foundation for the next three years (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025):
The Honorable Nancy Rodrigues – Ms. Rodrigues served as Secretary of Administration in Governor Terry McAuliffe's administration and was a determining factor in the building and placement of the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial at Colgate Darden Memorial Garden along the northern side of Capitol Square in Richmond, Va. Prior to that appointment, Ms. Rodrigues served as Secretary of the Virginia State Board of Elections. Most recently, Nancy served as Deputy Director of the 2019 Commemoration for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
The Honorable Brian Swann, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security – Currently serving his second term in this Governor-appointed position. Mr. Swann began his career in public safety with the Fairfax County Police Department, eventually becoming a detective. He then worked 25 years with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a Special Agent, Resident Agent in Charge and then Chief of the Criminal Groups and Gangs Branch in the D.C. Metro Area.
Mr. Mark Fero, Office of the Attorney General – Mr. Fero is currently a Program Manager in the Office of Attorney General Jason Miyares. He previously worked for the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Mr. Fero has an exemplary record of community service and volunteerism. He has served as Chairman of the Richmond Police Foundation and is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism.
Chief Maggie DeBoard, Herndon Police – Chief DeBoard is a Past President (2020-21) of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and a Past President of the Police Unity Tour (Chapter IV). She started her career in law enforcement with the Fairfax County Police Department and retired as a deputy chief in 2012. She was then appointed as chief in the town of Herndon. In 2022, Chief DeBoard was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Virginia Criminal Justice Services Board. Chief DeBoard also serves as Chair of the Virginia Forensic Science Board.
Chief Steve Drew, Newport News Police – Prior to being appointed Chief in Newport News, Drew served as Deputy Chief for the City of Richmond Police Department.
The Honorable Brian Moran – Moran served as Virginia Secretary of Public Safety from 2014 to 2022. Previously, he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 until 2008, representing Northern Virginia's 46th district.
LTC Tracy S. Russillo, Retired, Virginia State Police - Lieutenant Colonel Russillo was appointed to the position of Deputy Superintendent in August 2016 and managed the day-to-day operations of the Superintendent’s Office. She joined the Virginia State Police in May 1989 and was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the Department. She is active in leadership development for women in law enforcement. She retired in 2022.
The Honorable Brian Roberts, Sheriff, Brunswick County – Sheriff Roberts is a Past President of the Virginia Law Enforcement Sheriffs Association. He was first elected as Sheriff of Brunswick County in 2008. Roberts is a former Chair of the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.
The Honorable Don Sloan, Sheriff, City of Lynchburg – Sheriff Sloan began his career in public safety in October of 1979 by joining the Liberty University campus safety department. He eventually worked his way through the ranks to serve as Chief of Police of the Liberty University Police Department. In January of 2002, Don was appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff for the City of Lynchburg. Upon the early retirement of Sheriff Ron Gillispie, Donald T. Sloan was sworn in as Lynchburg City Sheriff on March 31, 2017.
Chief John Prillaman, Salem Fire & EMS – Prillaman joined the Salem Fire and EMS Department in 1998 and was promoted to Senior Firefighter in 2001. In 2005, he became a Lieutenant and training officer and was then named a Captain in 2006. In May 2010, he was named Deputy Fire Chief before being appointed as Fire Chief on January 1, 2022. Before coming to Salem, Prillaman served 11 years as a volunteer firefighter in Roanoke County and became Fire Chief of Company 11. Chief Prillaman is the 2022 President of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association.
Joseph Walters, Deputy Director of Administration, Virginia Dept. of Corrections – Mr. Walters began his award-winning career in public safety in 1993 with the Virginia State Police where he rose through the ranks before joining the Department of Corrections as the human resources director in 2015. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice/Sociology from Averett College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Virginia Tech.
Director Brad Creasy, Virginia Fire Programs – Mr. Creasy was appointed Executive Director for the Virginia Department of Fire Programs by Governor Youngkin. Creasy began his career in public safety with the Bedford Volunteer Fire Department before becoming a career firefighter with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department. Creasy served in Roanoke City for 21 years and rose through the ranks to Captain. Creasy served the past 15 years as the fire chief for the Town of Bedford.
Mr. Chip Decker, CEO, Richmond Ambulance Authority – Mr. Decker has thirty years of emergency medical services experience, both as a volunteer and as vice president of a large for- profit ambulance service prior to joining the Richmond Ambulance Authority in 2007. He is a nationally registered paramedic and served two three-year terms on the Virginia EMS Advisory Board from 2001-2006.
These twelve volunteers are replacing a tremendous board of individuals from public safety and the private sector who were dedicated to ensuring that Virginia’s fallen public safety officers are honored on the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial and that their families received emergency financial assistance. We thank the previous Board members for their many years of dedicated service.