Our Advisory Board

Harry B. Brandon, founding partner of Smith Brandon International, has over 23 years of experience as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he reached the rank of Deputy Assistant Director. Mr. Brandon directed the FBI's worldwide counter-terrorism efforts and was a member of various Presidential Commissions, National Security Council working groups, and interagency forums. He now applies his special expertise to provide advisement and in-country support to international corporate projects.

Debra Cason. Debra Cason is Past President of NAEMSE, the National Association of Emergency Medical Service Educators. Ms. Cason is currently Associate Professor, Health Care Sciences and Program Director, Emergency Medicine Education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She is licensed and certified as a Registered Nurse, EMT-Paramedic, and is an EMT-Paramedic Course Coordinator-Texas. Over her distinguished career, Ms. Cason has enjoyed numerous professional appointments and has graced many national education and accreditation commissions as Chair, Commissioner, and Board member. Ms. Cason has also published extensively on training and education issues specific to EMS.

Fred Ciporen, distinguished member of the Cahners Executive Committee, is Group Vice President and Publisher of the leading industry journals in book publishing, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. Before joining Cahners in 1988, Mr. Ciporen has held a variety of prominent positions, from Publisher of a computer magazine, to cable industry professional, to teaching History at City University of New York and Rutgers University in New Jersey.

LTG John A. Dubia, USA (Ret.), General Dubia is Vice President for Operations of AFCEA International, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association. During his distinguished career, General Dubia served as Commanding General of the United States Army Field Artillery Center and Commandant of the Field Artillery School. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Rutgers University School of Business. General Dubia's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with third oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star with second oak leaf cluster.

Daniel R. Gerard, MS, RN, MICP, is Chairman of the National Paramedic Division of NAEMS (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians). He has been an EMT since 1981, a Paramedic since 1985 and a Registered Nurse since 1997. He has both public and private sector expertise, and holds a Master's degree in Health and Hospital Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Allied Health. Mr. Gerard's educational credentials include instructor qualifications from the American Heart Association for Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Basic Cardiac Life Support. He is currently adjunct faculty at the George Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Health Sciences.

Ralph Tamper, former President of the Real Estate Education Association, is a nationally recognized authority in the field as educator, trainer and author. He has written on subjects as complex and diverse as real estate mathematics and real estate contracts. His distinguished career includes certifications of CBR (Certified Buyer Representative) and CREI (Certified Real Estate Instructor), and designations as DREI (Distinguished Real Estate Instructor) and GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute). Mr. Tamper is Chairman of the Education and Member Profitability Task Force of the Houston Association of REALTORS® and member of the National Association of REALTORS® Education Committee.

Eleanor Vreeland, serves on the Secretary of Education's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, and is a commissioner on ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools). Her work with the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools (AICS) put her in the forefront of private sector education and government relations. She was also as a commissioner of the ACICS (Accrediting Commission of Independent Colleges and Schools), and Chairman of the Board for seven years. Previously, Ms. Vreeland was Chairman and CEO of the Katherine Gibbs Schools, Inc.