Emergency and Disaster Management Degree – Metropolitan College of New York

Meet the Faculty for the MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management

Professor Gheith joined Project Liberty immediately following the disastrous events of 9/11, where he outreached to union workers at ground zero, addressed the special needs of vulnerable population, and trained counselors on methods of providing culturally appropriate disaster mental health services to the diverse NYC communities. He conducted the first known research on NYC Muslim mental health needs and the role of the imams into the day-to-day lives of the American-Muslim communities. He’s an expert on international affairs, Islamic and Middle Eastern studies. In early 2003, Mr. Gheith joined the NYC DOHMH as a coordinator of Population Based Resilience. Professor Gheith responded to every major crisis since 9/11. Recently, he was assigned as regional coordinator for a citywide H1N1 vaccine campaign effort to inoculate New Yorkers. He is the author or co-author of journal articles and abstracts. He is an extremely active figure in a number of professional organizations, and a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable in our communities. Professor Gheith is the recipient of the NYC distinguished Service Award for his work with community and faith leaders across New York City.

Tom Carey (MS in Criminal Justice and Security Administration, Long Island University)

Adjunct Professor Carey is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who obtained the rank of Sergeant Major in his 27 years of service. During his tour he served as both a committee member and advisor on security issues and operational issues for the Iraq Ministry of Defense complex in Baghdad, for Multi-National Force Iraq. He is also a twenty-three year (23) veteran of the New York City Police Department, serving in the capacity as the Course Manager for the Chief of Organized Crime’s Training Unit prior to his retirement. He has obtained both professional and academic training through many organizations to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, The United States Army Military Police School’s Special Reaction Team Course, NYPD Bomb Squad and Counter Terrorism Bureau. Carey also is a graduate of Long Island University at C.W. Post, where he received a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Security Administration.

George W. Contreras (MS in Hospital Administration, Iona College; MPH in Community Health Education, Hunter College; PhD (candidate), Columbia University)

Adjunct Professor Contreras serves as the president and chief executive officer of The GWC Group, an international emergency management consulting firm. He is former director of Emergency Management for New York University Medical Center. Contreras was the senior emergency manager in the Bureau of Emergency Management at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He served as adjunct faculty at New York University, New York Medical College and Hunter College. He's a frequent lecturer at national and international conferences regarding EMS, public health, emergency and disaster management issues. He works as a New York City paramedic and instructor at various hospital-based EMS departments.

David Longshore (BA, Amherst College; MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense), Naval Postgraduate School)

Adjunct Professor Longshore is currently the executive director of the program. He served as Director of Special Programs at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (NYCOEM) between 2000 and 2004. He was among the first responders to the World Trade Center disaster, and played an integral role in coordinating the City’s response to numerous emergencies, including the crash of American Airlines Flight 587, the 2001anthrax attack, and the 2003 Northeastern Blackout. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the author of several books, plays, and short stories, including the Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones (1998; Second Edition, 2000; Third Edition, 2007).

Gerard McCarty (BA in Criminal Justice, John Jay College; MPA in Operations, John Jay College)

Adjunct Professor McCarty currently serves as general manager for emergency management at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Before joining the Port Authority in 2004, McCarty served as a New York City police officer in the uniform, as well as undercover division. In 1995, he joined the New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations as the First Deputy Mayor’s representative to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), then a unit within the NYPD, and supervised the transfer of OEM to an independent organization within the Mayor’s Office to include the recruitment of a new director and the selection of hiring of staff. After joining the newly revitalized OEM as Chief of Staff, McCarty was promoted to Deputy Director of Field Operations, and later to Deputy Director for Special Operations. During this time, he's was deployed by the city to disaster sites across the globe, including the relief efforts to Italy following the earthquakes in 1996; Kosovo at the conclusion of NATO actions and the Dominican republic in the wake of Hurricane George. In 1999, he joined FEMA, where he coordinated preparedness and disaster relief to events around the world, including the World Trade Center disaster, where he served as deputy operations section chief. McCarty is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Jessica O'Neill (MS in Social Sciences, University of Chicago; MS in Criminal Justice, John Jay College)

Adjunct Professor O'Neill currently is the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s pandemic influenza coordinator. She specializes in teaching sociological issues related to disaster. O’Neill is a graduate of the University of Chicago and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she received a master's degree in social sciences and a master's degree in criminal justice, respectively.

Adjunct Professor Patterson currently serves as an Aide to the CIO for a major NYC Hospital, and is also a commissioned officer in the New York State Guard, serving in a Weapons of Mass Destruction Response Team. Prior to his current position, he was a Management Consultant supporting consequence management initiatives for the NYC Department of Health, including the NYC Tuberculosis Epidemic, the Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak, and for the recent West Nile Virus outbreak.

Johnny W. Velez (MPA in Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management, Metropolitan College of New York)

Adjunct Professor Velez is a paralegal supervisor for the New York City Law Department, a volunteer in New York State Guard, and a veteran non-commissioned officer. Velez is a certified trainer for the Community Emergency Response Team, Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness, and is versed in the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program. Velez has been a recipient of the Air Force Achievement Medal and the New York City Law Department Legal Assistant Achievement award. Velez is a graduate of Metropolitan College of New York, where he received a Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management.

Ernest B. Wheeler (BSN in Nursing, D'Youville College; MA in Nursing, New York University; MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management, Metropolitan College of New York)

Adjunct Professor Wheeler is a registered nurse professional and clinician with over 17 years of clinical expertise in medical-surgical nursing, mental health, pediatrics, with a strong concentration in geriatric nursing. He has served in hospital administration, mentoring, and teaching of undergraduate students in clinical areas throughout the metropolitan area. Currently, he serves as a traveling nurse educator who mentors students across the country for preparation of licensure. He has researched and written scholarly papers on the “Effects of Gait and Balance Training” on elderly populations and has written a master’s thesis on “Strategies for Creating Surge Capacity in Healthcare Organizations.” He plans to further his education by obtaining a doctoral degree in which his dissertation will be a continuation of his work on surge capacity.

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About this Program Course Offerings Meet the Faculty Letter from the Dean Study Abroad Component 2005 Israel Diary Constructive Action Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society	Printable brochure Constructive Action Send this page to a friend Meet the Faculty for the MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management Ali Gheith (MS in Social Science, Long Island University) Professor Gheith joined Project Liberty immediately following the disastrous events of 9/11, where he outreached to union workers at ground zero, addressed the special needs of vulnerable population, and trained counselors on methods of providing culturally appropriate disaster mental health services to the diverse NYC communities. He conducted the first known research on NYC Muslim mental health needs and the role of the imams into the day-to-day lives of the American-Muslim communities. He’s an expert on international affairs, Islamic and Middle Eastern studies. In early 2003, Mr. Gheith joined the NYC DOHMH as a coordinator of Population Based Resilience. Professor Gheith responded to every major crisis since 9/11. Recently, he was assigned as regional coordinator for a citywide H1N1 vaccine campaign effort to inoculate New Yorkers. He is the author or co-author of journal articles and abstracts. He is an extremely active figure in a number of professional organizations, and a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable in our communities. Professor Gheith is the recipient of the NYC distinguished Service Award for his work with community and faith leaders across New York City. Tom Carey (MS in Criminal Justice and Security Administration, Long Island University) Adjunct Professor Carey is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who obtained the rank of Sergeant Major in his 27 years of service. During his tour he served as both a committee member and advisor on security issues and operational issues for the Iraq Ministry of Defense complex in Baghdad, for Multi-National Force Iraq. He is also a twenty-three year (23) veteran of the New York City Police Department, serving in the capacity as the Course Manager for the Chief of Organized Crime’s Training Unit prior to his retirement. He has obtained both professional and academic training through many organizations to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Secret Service, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, The United States Army Military Police School’s Special Reaction Team Course, NYPD Bomb Squad and Counter Terrorism Bureau. Carey also is a graduate of Long Island University at C.W. Post, where he received a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Security Administration. George W. Contreras (MS in Hospital Administration, Iona College; MPH in Community Health Education, Hunter College; PhD (candidate), Columbia University) Adjunct Professor Contreras serves as the president and chief executive officer of The GWC Group, an international emergency management consulting firm. He is former director of Emergency Management for New York University Medical Center. Contreras was the senior emergency manager in the Bureau of Emergency Management at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He served as adjunct faculty at New York University, New York Medical College and Hunter College. He's a frequent lecturer at national and international conferences regarding EMS, public health, emergency and disaster management issues. He works as a New York City paramedic and instructor at various hospital-based EMS departments. David Longshore (BA, Amherst College; MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense), Naval Postgraduate School) Adjunct Professor Longshore is currently the executive director of the program. He served as Director of Special Programs at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (NYCOEM) between 2000 and 2004. He was among the first responders to the World Trade Center disaster, and played an integral role in coordinating the City’s response to numerous emergencies, including the crash of American Airlines Flight 587, the 2001anthrax attack, and the 2003 Northeastern Blackout. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the author of several books, plays, and short stories, including the Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones (1998; Second Edition, 2000; Third Edition, 2007). Gerard McCarty (BA in Criminal Justice, John Jay College; MPA in Operations, John Jay College) Adjunct Professor McCarty currently serves as general manager for emergency management at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Before joining the Port Authority in 2004, McCarty served as a New York City police officer in the uniform, as well as undercover division. In 1995, he joined the New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations as the First Deputy Mayor’s representative to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), then a unit within the NYPD, and supervised the transfer of OEM to an independent organization within the Mayor’s Office to include the recruitment of a new director and the selection of hiring of staff. After joining the newly revitalized OEM as Chief of Staff, McCarty was promoted to Deputy Director of Field Operations, and later to Deputy Director for Special Operations. During this time, he's was deployed by the city to disaster sites across the globe, including the relief efforts to Italy following the earthquakes in 1996; Kosovo at the conclusion of NATO actions and the Dominican republic in the wake of Hurricane George. In 1999, he joined FEMA, where he coordinated preparedness and disaster relief to events around the world, including the World Trade Center disaster, where he served as deputy operations section chief. McCarty is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Public Administration. Jessica O'Neill (MS in Social Sciences, University of Chicago; MS in Criminal Justice, John Jay College) Adjunct Professor O'Neill currently is the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s pandemic influenza coordinator. She specializes in teaching sociological issues related to disaster. O’Neill is a graduate of the University of Chicago and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she received a master's degree in social sciences and a master's degree in criminal justice, respectively. Robert Patterson (BBA, Pace University; MBA, Baruch College) Adjunct Professor Patterson currently serves as an Aide to the CIO for a major NYC Hospital, and is also a commissioned officer in the New York State Guard, serving in a Weapons of Mass Destruction Response Team. Prior to his current position, he was a Management Consultant supporting consequence management initiatives for the NYC Department of Health, including the NYC Tuberculosis Epidemic, the Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak, and for the recent West Nile Virus outbreak. Johnny W. Velez (MPA in Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management, Metropolitan College of New York) Adjunct Professor Velez is a paralegal supervisor for the New York City Law Department, a volunteer in New York State Guard, and a veteran non-commissioned officer. Velez is a certified trainer for the Community Emergency Response Team, Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness, and is versed in the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program. Velez has been a recipient of the Air Force Achievement Medal and the New York City Law Department Legal Assistant Achievement award. Velez is a graduate of Metropolitan College of New York, where he received a Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management. Ernest B. Wheeler (BSN in Nursing, D'Youville College; MA in Nursing, New York University; MPA in Emergency and Disaster Management, Metropolitan College of New York) Adjunct Professor Wheeler is a registered nurse professional and clinician with over 17 years of clinical expertise in medical-surgical nursing, mental health, pediatrics, with a strong concentration in geriatric nursing. He has served in hospital administration, mentoring, and teaching of undergraduate students in clinical areas throughout the metropolitan area. Currently, he serves as a traveling nurse educator who mentors students across the country for preparation of licensure. He has researched and written scholarly papers on the “Effects of Gait and Balance Training” on elderly populations and has written a master’s thesis on “Strategies for Creating Surge Capacity in Healthcare Organizations.” He plans to further his education by obtaining a doctoral degree in which his dissertation will be a continuation of his work on surge capacity. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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