Crisis Lab is More Than Just Courses
Meet our diverse team of industry-leading experts, each with extensive experience in crisis management, emergency response, and building resilience. From NATO veterans to academic leaders, our experts are committed to equipping individuals and organizations with the skills to navigate today's most complex crises.
Our Roster of Experts
At Crisis Lab, our mission is to empower individuals and organizations with extensive crisis management education to build resilience and preparedness.
Our seasoned instructors combine in-depth knowledge with real-world scenarios for a more immersive learning experience.
Meet Our Leadership & Advisory Team
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Kyle King
Managing Director
Founder and Managing Director of Crisis Lab, Kyle King, has 28 years of experience in emergency services and international security, including 8 years with NATO. He designed the first international DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program, served as NATO’s first Civil Emergency Advisor, and contributed to the development of NATO’s Security Force Assistance program. -
Dr. Erik Benson
Academic Director
Before joining Crisis Lab, he was a history professor at Cornerstone University (USA) for 15 years, teaching American, European, and world history, as well as contemporary global affairs. An active scholar, he has published a monograph, numerous journal articles, and served as the chair of the Economic and Business History Society. -
Dr. Manlio Silvestri
International Advisor and Instructor
Dr. Manlio Silvestri, a former Brigadier General with 30 years in the military, served at NATO Headquarters for 15 years, focusing on strategic political aspects of NATO Operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Africa. His military career included roles as Commander of Italian Mountain Troops, Deputy Commander during INTERFET operations in Indonesia, and NATO Liaison Officer at the United Nations.
Meet our Growing Cadre of Instructors
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Mr. Vitālijs Rakstiņš
Defence Counsellor and Resilience Advisor
Ministry of Defence
Mr. Vitālijs Rakstiņš, a seasoned security expert with an 18-year career in the Latvian government and NATO, is now an academic, author, and educator. He focuses on security, resilience, and media literacy, having authored books like "Diaries of the Information War" and "Resistance Handbook." Additionally, he has developed educational initiatives such as the "Debunk NATO" media literacy game. -
Mr. Robert Fagan
Senior Emergency Manager and Exercise Planner
Global Eagle Consulting
Mr. Robert Fagan, retired U.S. Army Colonel and Certified Emergency Manager, has a 30-year military career including combat and UN tours. A graduate of FEMA, Harvard, and Yale programs, he now builds preparedness cultures and teaches crisis management internationally. -
Mr. Carl "C.J." Unis
Principal
Unis Complexity Solution
Mr. C.J. Unis, Principal at Unis Complexity Solutions, has over 20 years of experience in systems engineering and infrastructure logistics. He holds a Master's in Systems Engineering and has worked with the U.S. Space Force, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Marine Corps. -
Mr. Aaron Marks
Founder
One Thirty Nine Consulting
Aaron Marks, founder of One Thirty Nine Consulting, is an expert in consequence management with experience in public health and international security. He's worked with NATO, contributed to crisis planning, and coordinated responses to weapons of mass destruction. -
Mr. Patrick Marchman
Principal
KM Sustainability
Mr. Patrick Marchman, Principal at KM Sustainability, has nearly two decades of expertise in climate adaptation and resilience. With experience in both public and private sectors, he specializes in climate risk assessments, adaptation planning, and climate-induced relocation. -
Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski
Head of the Secretariat
Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative (DPPI) South Eastern Europe
Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski leads the Secretariat of DPPI SEE, specializing in policing, civil protection, and disaster resilience. He previously taught at St. Kliment Ohridski University and has contributed to projects by the EU, World Bank, and Red Cross. -
Dr. Roman Tandlich
Regional Director
TIEMS Africa
Dr. Roman Tandlich, an expert in emergency and disaster management since 2011, brings a unique background in biotechnology to address water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges in developing countries. With a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, he's now an Associate Professor specializing in public health and disaster ethics. -
Lamar González Medlock
Independent Security Consultant
727 Consulting, LLC
Lamar Medlock, owner of 727 Consulting, LLC, specializes in international security cooperation. With an MBA and 30+ years of public service, she's trained first responders globally and managed disaster recovery centers. She's a certified CERT Instructor with Harvard training. -
Kristin Demoranville
Founder & CEO
AnzenSage and AnzenOT
Kristin Demoranville, Founder of AnzenSage and AnzenOT, specializes in food industry cybersecurity. With 20+ years of experience and certifications in OT, ICS, and IoT security, she helps businesses protect data and align with regulations. She also hosts the global Bites & Bytes Podcast. -
Sophia Klewer
Chief Operating Officer
PREVENCY
Sophia Klewer, COO of PREVENCY, specializes in crisis simulation and communications. With an M.A. in media studies, she has developed proprietary software and designed crisis exercises for government, industry, and military clients. A published author, she also lectures on crisis communications. -
Nathan Gross
Emergency Management and Public Health Professional
Nathan Gross is an Emergency Management and Public Health professional focused on climate resilience and crisis response. With expertise from Emory and ASU, he has led CDC initiatives and specializes in innovative solutions for community preparedness. -
Dr. James Wilson
CEO
Proseko Consulting
Dr. James M Wilson, CEO of Proseko Consulting, is a pediatrician and health security expert specializing in infectious disease crisis detection. He led key surveillance efforts for major outbreaks including COVID-19, Ebola, and H1N1, with experience at DHS's Biosurveillance Center. -
Sharon Parrillo
Director, Infection Prevention
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Ms. Sharon Parrillo brings 20 years of infection prevention expertise as a Registered Nurse with CIC and CPPS certifications. She led COVID-19 response at a NJ hospital and serves on the NICE Board of Directors. -
Rick Fernandez
Humanitarian Affairs fellow
National Center for Urban Operations
Rick M. Fernandez is a Humanitarian Affairs Fellow with the National Center for Urban Operations (NCUO). He has recently served as a Planning Associate at SPIN Global, an emergency management planning consulting firm and at PYXERA Global, where he worked with corporate clients on the design, execution, and amplification of Global Pro Bono programs. -
James Merten
Maritime Disaster and Economics Expert
U.S. Coast Guard
James Merten is a maritime resilience specialist and U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Specialist. His research at the University of Antwerp focuses on disaster economics and resilience metrics, helping ports and supply chains recover from crises.
Be Part of the Solution
Empower global resilience by collaborating with us or sharing your expertise to educate the next generation of crisis management professionals.