Blue-Ribbon Safety and Security Committee to Support Fort Worth ISD’s Safety and Security Plan
Published August 12, 2022
Law Enforcement, Health Care, Business and Education Leaders Will Provide Insight, Advice
A special blue-ribbon committee of local experts will offer insight and support about safety and security to the Fort Worth Independent School District.
“We have invited some of the top people in law enforcement, the military, health care, education, and business to share their knowledge and insight regarding security in 21st century America, and they have graciously accepted our request,” said Fort Worth ISD Board President Tobi Jackson. “These leaders have dealt and continue to deal with security challenges 24/7 and we feel we have much to gain by seeking their expertise and advice on best practices.”
The panel is chaired by Lillie Biggins, former president of Harris Methodist Fort Worth. The committee is being staffed by the Board’s special counsel, Major General (ret) Brian Newby of the Cantey Hanger LLP law firm.
“We are particularly grateful to FWISD Trustee Roxanne Martinez, who has agreed to serve on the blue-ribbon committee and take on the role of liaison to the Board,” said President Jackson. “She will be an amazing representative for the District and the committee and we appreciate her commitment.”
“I’m looking forward to serving in this role and we all welcome the input of so many distinguished industry professionals,” said Fort Worth ISD Board Trustee Martinez.
Besides Ms. Biggins and Mrs. Martinez, other members include Russell McQuiston, director of Safety and Security for Lockheed-Martin; Major General (ret) Dawn M. Ferrell, formerly Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Texas Air National Guard; Neil Noakes, Fort Worth Police Chief; and Reginald G. Jackson, senior director of security and police at Texas Health Resources.
The group of experts will review the District’s Know the Plan program, part of the FWISD Safety and Security Department (responsible for overall safety of students, staff and visitors), and the 2022 audit from the statutorily created School Safety and Security Committee, established under Texas Education Code 37.109.
Committee members will provide feedback directly to the FWISD Board of Trustees as the District conducts an overview of safety and security and determines next steps.
Here are their biographies:
(Committee Chair) Lillie Biggins is the former president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth. Ms. Biggins is a retired health care veteran of 45 years, having overseen hospital operations and performance. She now serves as a mentor and community servant in regards to health, education, youth, senior citizens, business, and the underserved. Ms. Biggins has received numerous honors for her ongoing commitment to community service including, but not limited to, The President’s Volunteer Call to Service Award, Fort Worth Business Press Woman of Influence Award, American Heart Association’s Board Member of the Year, National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Achievement Award, and DFW Metroplex Chapter National Women of Achievement Award. In 2014, she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.
Roxanne Martinez was elected Trustee, Fort Worth Independent School District in 2021. A small business owner, nonprofit leader, and community advocate, Ms. Martinez was born and raised in the Diamond Hill neighborhood of Fort Worth and a proud product of Fort Worth ISD schools. She currently serves as a board member for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County, a member of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas and serves as Secretary of the Diamond Hill Jarvis Heritage Foundation.
Reginald G. Jackson is the Senior Director of Security and Police at Texas Health Resources. Mr. Jackson has more than 30 years of security experience. He is responsible for the security services at the healthcare system's 24 hospitals and more than 300 clinics in the North Texas area. Before becoming the Senior Director, he was the Regional Director of Security Police at Texas Health Resources. Mr. Jackson has also held positions with Loomis, Fargo & Company, responsible for investigating cargo losses, internal audits, and training armored crews, CCTV systems, access controls, and risk assessments. Mr. Jackson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Security Management and a Master of Science degree in Justice Administration and Crime Management. He is the recipient of several awards from the Texas Chisolm Trail Crime Prevention Association.
Major General (ret) Dawn M. Ferrell was the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Texas Air National Guard. In this position, General Ferrell served as the principal advisor to the Adjutant General of Texas for all Air National Guard issues. She was responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all programs, policies, and plans for three Wings and more than 3,400 Air National Guard personnel throughout the state of Texas. General Ferrell has experience directing the overall management of base-wide security and resource protection programs that include 24-hour, multi-shift physical security, information security, communications security, and personnel security management. She is Dual Status Commander certified and is a Level III Joint Qualified Officer. In retirement, General Ferrell volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), representing and advocating for children who are in the care of the protective system in Texas.
Shaun Williams serves as the Chief of Police for the Tarrant County College District. The Tarrant County College District Police Department services a diverse population of over 90,000 students and 6000 faculty and support staff. Chief Williams has held several administrative positions, including Lieutenant/Southeast Campus Police Commander, and Assistant Chief of Police. Prior to joining the Tarrant County College District Police Department, Chief Williams served twenty years with the Arlington Police Department in various assignments including Patrol, Narcotics & Organized Crime, School Resource, Personnel & Recruiting, and Internal Affairs. Chief Williams holds a Master Peace Officer Certification, and was named 2012 Outstanding Administrator by the Texas Association of College and University Police Administrators.
Neil Noakes serves as Chief of Police for the City of Fort Worth. He has served in multiple ranks across the department including Patrol, DWI, Motors, and Internal Affairs. Prior to being named Chief of Police, he oversaw the South Command as Deputy Chief. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tarleton State University and his master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Texas Christian University (TCU). Chief Noakes is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 137th Administrative Officers Course and TCU’s inaugural Leadership, Executive and Administrative Development program (L.E.A.D. #1). He is also involved in youth engagement programs such as Operation Progress, Read2Win, All Pro Dad and the City of Fort Worth’s Education Initiative.
Russell McQuiston is director of Security and Emergency Services for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth. Mr. McQuiston previously served as the Senior Security Manager of Government Security Operations, Security Manager for the Integrated Fighter Group, and Manager of the Global Emergency Operations Center for Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Maryland. Operations include a large workforce of over 20,000 employees and visitors on a multi-hundred-acre/million square foot facility, with depot aircraft maintenance operations, and two active flight lines and production lines. Russell leads the Security Forces, Fire Protection Services, Emergency Management, Government Security Operations, and the F-22 and F-16 Program Security teams. Governor Greg Abbott appointed Mr. McQuiston to the Private Sector Advisory Council, which advises the governor on homeland security issues pertinent to the private sector and is made up of representatives from a spectrum of business and industry sectors.
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