Blunt Finalizes Homeland Security
Council with Appointment of Three Public Members
JEFFERSON CITY, August 8, 2005—Gov. Matt Blunt
today announced his final three selections to serve as public members
on the Missouri Homeland Security Council under the direction of Public
Safety Director and council chairman Mark James.
Robert Wylie, 44, of St. Peters, currently serves as
the Assistant Chief of the
Central Co. Fire Protection District in St. Charles. Wylie is an expert
in the homeland security arena and has overseen the Homeland Security
Response Team in the St. Louis/Warren County area for the past 10
years. He has also been a key strategist for security in high profile
events such as presidential visits, the 1999 visit of Pope John Paul
II, and the 2004 World Series playoffs in St. Louis. Wylie also serves
on the Missouri Fire Safety Advisory Board appointed by the governor.
Mick Covington, 53, of Columbia, is the Executive Director
of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association. Covington brings over
30 years of law enforcement officer and management experience to the
Homeland Security Council. He graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy
to eventually assume the rank of Captain while commanding the Patrol
Division, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, and the Investigative
unit during a 20-year service to the Columbia Police Department. As
Executive Director of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, Covington
is responsible for assessing, planning and coordinating law enforcement
training and standards throughout the state.
Harold Bengsch, 69, of Springfield, served 45 years
in the public health field before becoming Greene County Commissioner
in 2004. He is a former president of the Public Health Association,
the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), and has
won many national and state awards for his service. Bengsch has given
lectures nationally on homeland security and bio-terrorism and developed
a comprehensive bio-terrorism response plan for Green County and surrounding
regions. Bengsch is also a founding member of the American College
of Forensic Examiners Institute’s Homeland Security Board of
Certification.
Blunt named the men to the three public member seats
on the Missouri Homeland Security Council.
“With the appointment of these three Missourians
to the council, I am confident that we now have the best minds in
security, law enforcement and crisis and disaster planning coming
together at one table to work for the safety of all Missourians,”
Blunt said. “In these times, it is necessary for our state to
have such a council.”