Farewell to HLSwatch
This is my final post on HLSwatch.com. This week I transitioned into a position in government and I will hand the blog over to new hands. It was a privilege to author this blog for two years, and I am thankful to the blog’s founder and original author, Christian Beckner, for inviting me to take his place in February 2007.
Since then, and nearly 300 posts later, it has been a learning experience like no other. To research and write for HLSwatch afforded me the opportunity to engage with you, the reader, as well as to know the dedicated men and women serving the homeland security mission in the Executive Branch, at states and localities, across the policy community, in the private sector, and overseas. The nearly six years since DHS stood up also represents a unique time in our nation’s history to witness – and to support – a significant governance and security challenge that requires the help of all these stakeholders. I hope that HLSwatch.com has helped them, too.
Two impressive individuals succeed me in contributing to HLSwatch. Paul Stockton and Philip Palin will write for HLSwatch on a weekly basis.
Paul Stockton is a senior research scholar at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). He was formerly the associate provost at the Naval Postgraduate School and was the founding director of its Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Dr. Stockton focuses on how U.S. security institutions respond to changes in the threat (including the rise of terrorism), and the interaction of Congress and the Executive branch in restructuring national security budgets, policies and institutional arrangements. From 1995 until 2000, he served as director of NPS’ Center for Civil-Military Relations. From 2000-2001, he founded and served as the acting dean of NPS’ School of International Graduate Studies. He was appointed associate provost in 2001.
Phil Palin is a senior fellow with the National Institute for Strategic Preparedness. Phil is the former CEO of Teleologic Learning Company. He is Principal Author of the book Catastrophe Preparation and Prevention for Law Enforcement Professional (2008), Consequence Management for CBRNE Events ( 2009, forthcoming), and Co-Author of Catastrophe Preparation and Prevention for Fire Service Professionals (2008).
I still seek a third contributor who could help manage the daily contributions that cover fast moving developments and provide timely reporting of newsworthy items in the homeland security space. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email me.
Thank you again for your readership and your partnership.
Best,
Jonah
