Dr. Eric Murray, President
Eric is a decorated military and law enforcement veteran with 35 years of professional public safety experience. He has served in the U.S. Army Infantry, a municipal police department and the past 31 years with the Connecticut State Police. He recently retired after serving as the commanding officer of the state police training academy. During his career, Eric has held numerous administrative and operational assignments which has provided the necessary leadership framework for his training programs. Eric has taught leadership and human performance management to hundreds of organizations and thousands of private and public employees across the United States and abroad. He loves what he does!
He holds numerous instructor level certifications with the CT State Police, CT Police Officers Standards of Training (POST) and New England State Police Association (NESPAC). He actively teaches training programs in the areas of leadership, supervision, team building, human performance management, communication, resiliency, diversity, problem solving, and ethical decision making. Eric regularly consults public safety, NGO, and private organizations on strategic planning, organizational climate and culture, and professional development. He deploys a customized leadership climate assessment as a diagnostic for improving organizational excellence. He is a co-author/creator of the Performance Leadership Model. He is a diamond level distributor/trainer in Everything DiSC and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team. He has authored and published several instructional law enforcement training videos; Police Ground Combat, Police Safety and Survival Volume 1 and 2 that have been distributed to civilian, and military law enforcement organizations within the continental United States and throughout Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Eric is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 273. He is the first "civilian" to graduate the USCG Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, CA where he received the coveted “Spirit of the Chief Award” and honorary title of Chief Petty Officer by the Commandant of the USCG. He is an alumnus of the USCG Academy Senior Leadership Principles Course and Harvard-Kennedy School of Executive Education- Art and Practice of Leadership Development. Eric served as faculty for the U.S. Navy Advanced Management Program (AMP). and is a guest lecturer at the FBI National Academy and Command College on topics of leadership analytics, leading at risk employees, and psychological capital (PsyCap). Eric holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Hartford; M.S., Organizational Leadership; B.A., Communication. He is a life-long learner and his research focused on "Psychological Capital: Public Safety Leadership Strategies to Mitigate Traumatic Incident Stress Among Police Officers."
Eric can be reached at [email protected]
Eric is a decorated military and law enforcement veteran with 35 years of professional public safety experience. He has served in the U.S. Army Infantry, a municipal police department and the past 31 years with the Connecticut State Police. He recently retired after serving as the commanding officer of the state police training academy. During his career, Eric has held numerous administrative and operational assignments which has provided the necessary leadership framework for his training programs. Eric has taught leadership and human performance management to hundreds of organizations and thousands of private and public employees across the United States and abroad. He loves what he does!
He holds numerous instructor level certifications with the CT State Police, CT Police Officers Standards of Training (POST) and New England State Police Association (NESPAC). He actively teaches training programs in the areas of leadership, supervision, team building, human performance management, communication, resiliency, diversity, problem solving, and ethical decision making. Eric regularly consults public safety, NGO, and private organizations on strategic planning, organizational climate and culture, and professional development. He deploys a customized leadership climate assessment as a diagnostic for improving organizational excellence. He is a co-author/creator of the Performance Leadership Model. He is a diamond level distributor/trainer in Everything DiSC and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team. He has authored and published several instructional law enforcement training videos; Police Ground Combat, Police Safety and Survival Volume 1 and 2 that have been distributed to civilian, and military law enforcement organizations within the continental United States and throughout Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Eric is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 273. He is the first "civilian" to graduate the USCG Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, CA where he received the coveted “Spirit of the Chief Award” and honorary title of Chief Petty Officer by the Commandant of the USCG. He is an alumnus of the USCG Academy Senior Leadership Principles Course and Harvard-Kennedy School of Executive Education- Art and Practice of Leadership Development. Eric served as faculty for the U.S. Navy Advanced Management Program (AMP). and is a guest lecturer at the FBI National Academy and Command College on topics of leadership analytics, leading at risk employees, and psychological capital (PsyCap). Eric holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Hartford; M.S., Organizational Leadership; B.A., Communication. He is a life-long learner and his research focused on "Psychological Capital: Public Safety Leadership Strategies to Mitigate Traumatic Incident Stress Among Police Officers."
Eric can be reached at [email protected]
Mr. Daniel Jewiss, Senior Associate
Dan retired in 2021 after serving 23 years with the Connecticut State Police. He began his career as a road Trooper, patrolling the northwest corner of CT, and serving as a Desk Trooper. He then spent 12 years as a Detective in the Western District Major Crime Squad, where he investigated numerous felony cases such as homicides, bank robberies, sexual assaults, financial crimes and most notably, the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. As the Lead Investigator of that tragedy, Dan still remains committed to supporting the victims and their families. Dan also spent 7 years as an Instructor at the CT State Police Training Academy, where his primary roles as a P.O.S.T. certified instructor were teaching Leadership & Team-Building, Search & Seizure Case Law, as well as Active Shooter Response.
Dan also served 20 years in the CT Army National Guard. During his military career, Dan served full-time for 3 years in Counterdrug Operations, where he helped establish military based training for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. As a Sergeant First Class he was selected to be a TAC for Officer Candidate School (OCS), where he became a certified Army Instructor and Platoon Trainer. He helped develop, coordinate and conduct Leadership training to mentor soldiers to become commissioned officers in the United States Army. Dan eventually became the Chief Instructor at OCS and then the Battalion Operations Non-Commissioned Officer at the Leadership Regiment before he retired in 2011 at the rank of Master Sergeant.
In the private arena, Dan has been conducting training since 2008. He is the Founder and President of The RAK Academy, where Dan and his co-instructors teach easy to understand and affordable strategies to SAVE LIVES in Active Killer incidents. The RAK Academy’s primary audiences are 1st Responders, School Personnel, Houses of Worship Communities and Businesses. Dan is also a Senior Associate at Team Training Associates, a Certified Everything DiSC Workplace Instructor and a co-creator of Performance Leadership. In all his capacities, Dan strives to inspire his audiences to become positive influences in their families, workplaces, and communities. He is also the proud father of his two beautiful, adult daughters.
Dan retired in 2021 after serving 23 years with the Connecticut State Police. He began his career as a road Trooper, patrolling the northwest corner of CT, and serving as a Desk Trooper. He then spent 12 years as a Detective in the Western District Major Crime Squad, where he investigated numerous felony cases such as homicides, bank robberies, sexual assaults, financial crimes and most notably, the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. As the Lead Investigator of that tragedy, Dan still remains committed to supporting the victims and their families. Dan also spent 7 years as an Instructor at the CT State Police Training Academy, where his primary roles as a P.O.S.T. certified instructor were teaching Leadership & Team-Building, Search & Seizure Case Law, as well as Active Shooter Response.
Dan also served 20 years in the CT Army National Guard. During his military career, Dan served full-time for 3 years in Counterdrug Operations, where he helped establish military based training for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. As a Sergeant First Class he was selected to be a TAC for Officer Candidate School (OCS), where he became a certified Army Instructor and Platoon Trainer. He helped develop, coordinate and conduct Leadership training to mentor soldiers to become commissioned officers in the United States Army. Dan eventually became the Chief Instructor at OCS and then the Battalion Operations Non-Commissioned Officer at the Leadership Regiment before he retired in 2011 at the rank of Master Sergeant.
In the private arena, Dan has been conducting training since 2008. He is the Founder and President of The RAK Academy, where Dan and his co-instructors teach easy to understand and affordable strategies to SAVE LIVES in Active Killer incidents. The RAK Academy’s primary audiences are 1st Responders, School Personnel, Houses of Worship Communities and Businesses. Dan is also a Senior Associate at Team Training Associates, a Certified Everything DiSC Workplace Instructor and a co-creator of Performance Leadership. In all his capacities, Dan strives to inspire his audiences to become positive influences in their families, workplaces, and communities. He is also the proud father of his two beautiful, adult daughters.
Dr. Julie Rumrill, M.S., M.B.S.R., Senior Associate
Julie is a certified instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an evidence-based, clinically supported, mind-body medicine program developed at UMASS Medical School. She has over 20 years of experience with a variety of contemplative practices to manage stress, build emotional intelligence, sharpen decision-making; and improve communication. Julie has led focused training sessions for the U.S. Coast Guard Leadership Development Center, numerous public safety professionals and NGOs, and has facilitated corporate teambuilding workshops. In addition to private consulting, Julie has ten years of experience as a professor of Earth Science at Southern Connecticut State University and Gateway Community College, in New Haven, Connecticut, where she incorporates contemplative practices as tools for proactive mental health. Julie has an earned Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Hartford where her research focused on mental resilience and the integration of mindful-based practices into public safety organizations.
Julie is a certified instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an evidence-based, clinically supported, mind-body medicine program developed at UMASS Medical School. She has over 20 years of experience with a variety of contemplative practices to manage stress, build emotional intelligence, sharpen decision-making; and improve communication. Julie has led focused training sessions for the U.S. Coast Guard Leadership Development Center, numerous public safety professionals and NGOs, and has facilitated corporate teambuilding workshops. In addition to private consulting, Julie has ten years of experience as a professor of Earth Science at Southern Connecticut State University and Gateway Community College, in New Haven, Connecticut, where she incorporates contemplative practices as tools for proactive mental health. Julie has an earned Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Hartford where her research focused on mental resilience and the integration of mindful-based practices into public safety organizations.
Dr. Peter VanAmburgh, Associate
A leader in business innovation and organizational development, Pete VanAmburgh received a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University in 2003. In 2012, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel after 28 years of demanding leadership roles from company/team through brigade command in Long Range Surveillance, Special Forces, and Intelligence units. He holds master’s degrees from Kennesaw State University and the U.S. Army War College, and is a graduate of a host of military schools including Special Forces, Ranger, Jumpmaster, HALO, and the Counterintelligence Special Agent course. He has the benefit of possessing unique technical competencies as well as experience leading large organizations and highly skilled multinational teams in combat operations, humanitarian missions, and other activities in Germany, England, France, Denmark, Italy, Panama, Japan, Georgia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Oman and Uganda. Proven ability to successfully analyze critical business functions, culture, identify deficiencies and weaknesses, and formulate assessments into strategic plans and policies that produce organizational excellence. In addition to his military service, he has three years of law enforcement, nine years in business, and over ten years of teaching experience at undergraduate through doctoral level. He has authored a book, numerous articles and holds two U.S. Patents.
Dr. VanAmburgh is a highly experienced operations executive who has demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams in extremely competitive, complex and stressful environments. He values integrity, loyalty, service and action. His work bridges the strategic to the tactical and his teaching is as valuable for senior executives as to their first line supervisors. He has amassed strong technical and business qualifications with an impressive track record of more than 30 years of success in challenging leadership positions, strategic planning, business unit development, teaching, transformation, and project management. He is a master at strategic planning, deciphering culture, and developing action plans that deliver results. He is also a lifelong learner who lives his favorite mantra, “if you are not getting better – you must be getting worse.” His passion is passing on the hard-learned lessons from the battlefield, boardroom, classroom, and the street, to the next generation of global leaders.
A leader in business innovation and organizational development, Pete VanAmburgh received a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University in 2003. In 2012, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel after 28 years of demanding leadership roles from company/team through brigade command in Long Range Surveillance, Special Forces, and Intelligence units. He holds master’s degrees from Kennesaw State University and the U.S. Army War College, and is a graduate of a host of military schools including Special Forces, Ranger, Jumpmaster, HALO, and the Counterintelligence Special Agent course. He has the benefit of possessing unique technical competencies as well as experience leading large organizations and highly skilled multinational teams in combat operations, humanitarian missions, and other activities in Germany, England, France, Denmark, Italy, Panama, Japan, Georgia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Oman and Uganda. Proven ability to successfully analyze critical business functions, culture, identify deficiencies and weaknesses, and formulate assessments into strategic plans and policies that produce organizational excellence. In addition to his military service, he has three years of law enforcement, nine years in business, and over ten years of teaching experience at undergraduate through doctoral level. He has authored a book, numerous articles and holds two U.S. Patents.
Dr. VanAmburgh is a highly experienced operations executive who has demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams in extremely competitive, complex and stressful environments. He values integrity, loyalty, service and action. His work bridges the strategic to the tactical and his teaching is as valuable for senior executives as to their first line supervisors. He has amassed strong technical and business qualifications with an impressive track record of more than 30 years of success in challenging leadership positions, strategic planning, business unit development, teaching, transformation, and project management. He is a master at strategic planning, deciphering culture, and developing action plans that deliver results. He is also a lifelong learner who lives his favorite mantra, “if you are not getting better – you must be getting worse.” His passion is passing on the hard-learned lessons from the battlefield, boardroom, classroom, and the street, to the next generation of global leaders.
Dr. Cliff Thermer, Associate-Academic Advisor
A 24 year law enforcement veteran who has served both in municipal and state police forces in a wide variety of patrol and administrative functions, Dr. Thermer retired from state service at the rank of Lieutenant from the Office of Administrative Services as the Commandant of the State Police Academy and Educational Coordinator for the Department of Public Safety. Dr. Thermer’s career includes fifteen (15) years developing training curriculum at the recruit, incumbent, supervisory and management levels; implementing traditional and distance learning initiatives for personnel; staff development, liaison with colleges and universities; and providing educational advising to personnel. Since 1998, Dr. Thermer has taught at all levels of higher education holding adjunct positions at Middlesex Community College in the Criminal Justice Program; a visiting faculty position in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at the University of Hartford as well as an adjunct role in the Sociology Department teaching policing and leadership related courses; an adjunct faculty position at the Albertus Magnus College – New Dimensions Program at the graduate and undergraduate levels teaching Change Strategies, Religion in the Workplace and American Government. He also held positions at Quinnipiac University as Associate Director of the Organizational Leadership Program and Visiting Assistant Professor of Management in the Lender School of Business. In August 2010, Dr. Thermer joined Goodwin College as Associate Professor and Director of the Organizational Studies and the Business Administration Programs.
A 24 year law enforcement veteran who has served both in municipal and state police forces in a wide variety of patrol and administrative functions, Dr. Thermer retired from state service at the rank of Lieutenant from the Office of Administrative Services as the Commandant of the State Police Academy and Educational Coordinator for the Department of Public Safety. Dr. Thermer’s career includes fifteen (15) years developing training curriculum at the recruit, incumbent, supervisory and management levels; implementing traditional and distance learning initiatives for personnel; staff development, liaison with colleges and universities; and providing educational advising to personnel. Since 1998, Dr. Thermer has taught at all levels of higher education holding adjunct positions at Middlesex Community College in the Criminal Justice Program; a visiting faculty position in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership at the University of Hartford as well as an adjunct role in the Sociology Department teaching policing and leadership related courses; an adjunct faculty position at the Albertus Magnus College – New Dimensions Program at the graduate and undergraduate levels teaching Change Strategies, Religion in the Workplace and American Government. He also held positions at Quinnipiac University as Associate Director of the Organizational Leadership Program and Visiting Assistant Professor of Management in the Lender School of Business. In August 2010, Dr. Thermer joined Goodwin College as Associate Professor and Director of the Organizational Studies and the Business Administration Programs.
Chief Brian Gould, Associate
Chief Brian Gould is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bristol Police Department. In his role as Chief he performs highly responsible managerial, administrative, and technical work involved in leading, planning and directing the activities of the Bristol Police Department. As Chief, and with over twenty-eight years of law enforcement experience, he administers the Department through his staff of Department Heads in the functional areas of: administration, investigation, and patrol services, including animal control and emergency dispatch.
Brian develops near-term and long-range planning and strategy for police services. He establishes operating policies, procedures and priorities and oversees the execution of such. He coordinates and leads investigations of major crimes as needed and oversees internal affairs and civilian complaint investigations. Brian collaborates with staff to develop strategies to cope with criminal activity, traffic flow problems, and other police related activities as well as coordinating police activities with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. As Chief, he prepares the annual departmental budget and presents and defends budget requests before the Police Board and the Board of Finance. He administers personnel regulations and collective bargaining agreements for the Department and acts as management member for Union contract negotiations.
Brian's service extends to additional roles and responsibilities to include: United Way of Connecticut Board of Directors; Chairman of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force Policy Board; Chairman of the Capitol Region Chiefs of Police Association Civil Disorder Task Force; Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations (CSCESAI); Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Wellness Committee; Bristol Health Corporator; two term past President of the Capital Region Chiefs of Police Association; Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Board of Directors.
Brian was Commander of the Central Region Emergency Response Team, which is a regional SWAT team that handles high risk incidents within the Connecticut communities of Bristol, Plainville, Plymouth and Southington and was one of nine (9) SWAT teams assigned to the Capitol Region. Brian had been a member of CRERT for over fifteen (15) years prior to becoming Chief.
Some of Brian’s special assignments/special teams include: Field Training Officer, Field Training Officer Coordinator, Central Region Emergency Response Team: (operator, shield, breacher, team leader, assistant team commander, team commander), Detective: Criminal Investigations Division, Narcotics Enforcement Team, Sergeant: Patrol Division, Mission Statement Revision Committee, Recruitment/Selection, Lieutenant: Patrol (OIC), Use of Force Committee, Co-Chairman BPD Awards Committee, Co-Chairman BPD Safety Committee.
Brian has a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University with a Major in Sociology and a focus in Criminal Justice; and Minors in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. He also earned a Masters Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Brian was awarded The Leadership Trilogy for completing the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association program and completed the Command Training Series/Executive Development Course of the Justice System Training and Research Institute. Brian is a graduate of the 274th FBI National Academy and since that time has been a guest speaker/instructor for the FBI NA in Quantico, VA.
Chief Brian Gould is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bristol Police Department. In his role as Chief he performs highly responsible managerial, administrative, and technical work involved in leading, planning and directing the activities of the Bristol Police Department. As Chief, and with over twenty-eight years of law enforcement experience, he administers the Department through his staff of Department Heads in the functional areas of: administration, investigation, and patrol services, including animal control and emergency dispatch.
Brian develops near-term and long-range planning and strategy for police services. He establishes operating policies, procedures and priorities and oversees the execution of such. He coordinates and leads investigations of major crimes as needed and oversees internal affairs and civilian complaint investigations. Brian collaborates with staff to develop strategies to cope with criminal activity, traffic flow problems, and other police related activities as well as coordinating police activities with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. As Chief, he prepares the annual departmental budget and presents and defends budget requests before the Police Board and the Board of Finance. He administers personnel regulations and collective bargaining agreements for the Department and acts as management member for Union contract negotiations.
Brian's service extends to additional roles and responsibilities to include: United Way of Connecticut Board of Directors; Chairman of the Statewide Narcotics Task Force Policy Board; Chairman of the Capitol Region Chiefs of Police Association Civil Disorder Task Force; Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations (CSCESAI); Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Wellness Committee; Bristol Health Corporator; two term past President of the Capital Region Chiefs of Police Association; Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Board of Directors.
Brian was Commander of the Central Region Emergency Response Team, which is a regional SWAT team that handles high risk incidents within the Connecticut communities of Bristol, Plainville, Plymouth and Southington and was one of nine (9) SWAT teams assigned to the Capitol Region. Brian had been a member of CRERT for over fifteen (15) years prior to becoming Chief.
Some of Brian’s special assignments/special teams include: Field Training Officer, Field Training Officer Coordinator, Central Region Emergency Response Team: (operator, shield, breacher, team leader, assistant team commander, team commander), Detective: Criminal Investigations Division, Narcotics Enforcement Team, Sergeant: Patrol Division, Mission Statement Revision Committee, Recruitment/Selection, Lieutenant: Patrol (OIC), Use of Force Committee, Co-Chairman BPD Awards Committee, Co-Chairman BPD Safety Committee.
Brian has a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University with a Major in Sociology and a focus in Criminal Justice; and Minors in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. He also earned a Masters Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Brian was awarded The Leadership Trilogy for completing the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association program and completed the Command Training Series/Executive Development Course of the Justice System Training and Research Institute. Brian is a graduate of the 274th FBI National Academy and since that time has been a guest speaker/instructor for the FBI NA in Quantico, VA.
Deputy Chief Ben Murphy, Associate
Ben is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of the East Windsor Police Department. He is a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy class #278, Southern Police Institute Command Officer's Development Course & Senior Management Institute of Policing (PERF) program. For the past 24 years, Deputy Chief Murphy has experienced all facets of operational, administrative, and tactical leadership positions in the City of New Britain & Town of East Windsor. Ben shares valuable insights from various perspectives of leadership that benefit both new supervisors and senior leaders alike. He has held a variety of supervisory and command assignments to include positions in all three divisions (Patrol, Criminal Investigations & Professional Standards). With 11 years as a SWAT operator, team leader and commander, he shares high tempo leadership insights with others. Ben is a certified CT POST instructor. In his current role, Ben continues to foster community relations by volunteering his time to various youth, culture, and faith based groups. He is a faculty member at Dedication to Community (D2C), a national non-profit community-based organization dedicated breaking barriers between community and police. Ben holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Charter Oak State College, and an MSC in Counter Terrorism from Nichols College. Ben regularly presents on leadership, ethics and a variety of other subjects at various high schools, colleges & law enforcement training venues.
Ben is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of the East Windsor Police Department. He is a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy class #278, Southern Police Institute Command Officer's Development Course & Senior Management Institute of Policing (PERF) program. For the past 24 years, Deputy Chief Murphy has experienced all facets of operational, administrative, and tactical leadership positions in the City of New Britain & Town of East Windsor. Ben shares valuable insights from various perspectives of leadership that benefit both new supervisors and senior leaders alike. He has held a variety of supervisory and command assignments to include positions in all three divisions (Patrol, Criminal Investigations & Professional Standards). With 11 years as a SWAT operator, team leader and commander, he shares high tempo leadership insights with others. Ben is a certified CT POST instructor. In his current role, Ben continues to foster community relations by volunteering his time to various youth, culture, and faith based groups. He is a faculty member at Dedication to Community (D2C), a national non-profit community-based organization dedicated breaking barriers between community and police. Ben holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Charter Oak State College, and an MSC in Counter Terrorism from Nichols College. Ben regularly presents on leadership, ethics and a variety of other subjects at various high schools, colleges & law enforcement training venues.
