Center Team

Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Filippelli has led school safety and crisis response for over 15 years. As Superintendent, he spearheaded significant infrastructure upgrades, including a $60 million high school renovation project, to enhance student success and safety. Filippelli is a recognized expert in integrating structural design with emergency preparedness. He has served on the Rhode Island School Safety Committee for over a decade, providing guidance on security plans across multiple districts and presenting at national education conferences. Filippelli earned his BA at Providence College, an MA in American History from Providence College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University.

Peter Boynton combines decades of maritime and aviation security expertise with leadership in emergency management and technology innovation. As CEO of Northeastern’s Kostas Research Institute, he facilitated partnerships that advanced security solutions for government and industry. A retired Coast Guard officer with multiple commands at sea and ashore, Boynton also served on the National Security Council staff at the White House, as Federal Security Director at Bradley International Airport, and as Homeland Security and Emergency Management Commissioner for Connecticut, managing statewide disaster responses. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard University and an engineering degree from the Coast Guard Academy and has testified before Congress on security policy.

Will Bernhjelm oversees security operations for North America’s largest entertainment and retail complex, ensuring the safety of 32 million annual visitors. With a strong focus on partnerships with law enforcement and comprehensive staff training, he has developed several innovative strategies for retail security. A veteran of the Minnesota National Guard, Bernhjelm led infantry teams on missions in Kosovo and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge for his leadership in over 400 combat patrols. He holds degrees in law enforcement and criminal justice and is active in several professional security organizations. Bernhjelm was recently named one of the Twin Cities Business Top 100 for 2025, highlighting business leaders, trailblazers, and innovators in the community.

Ms. Hicks is the Director of Operations and Workforce and Professional Development Co-Lead for SENTRY, as well as for the emeritus Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives Related Threats (ALERT), and the Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (Gordon-CenSSIS), a graduated National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. She is responsible for developing the strategic plans for the support services (including research, education, and workforce development programs) provided to the centers in collaboration with center leadership. This includes oversight of major aspects of the Center’s management and operation, including the integration and planning for partnership deliverables, activities, and events. Ms. Hicks holds a master’s in information systems, and college student development and counseling, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northeastern University, and a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School.

Dr. Maya is the Transition Team Co-Lead for SENTRY. Concurrent with his work with SENTRY, Dr. Maya serves as the Associate Director for Transition at the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Threats and Emergencies (CREATE), an emeritus Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence.

He has over 25 years of experience in executive management, strategic planning, and high-technology academic and industrial research and development. This includes practical experience in program and project management, product development and commercialization, and fiscal responsibility, in both industrial/commercial and academic environments. Dr. Maya has specialized in interdisciplinary research for the government, military, and commercial sectors, ranging in scope from information technologies and systems to nuclear power reactor systems to start-up business management and operations. Dr. Maya was an Astronaut Candidate Finalist in 1992 and a Fellow in NASA’s Center for Program/Project Management. He is a member of the Association of Cuban Engineers. He has over 10 inventions in the chemical engineering, electronics, medical and nuclear fields, and over 100 total publications, including over 50 refereed journal and conference publications. He holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering sciences from the University of Florida.

Ms. Beirne serves as the Senior Director of Technical Program Development and Strategy for SENTRY and the emeritus Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives Related Threats (ALERT), and the Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (Gordon-CenSSIS), a graduated National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. As the co-Lead of the SENTRY Transition Team, Ms. Beirne facilitates the evolution and delivery of tools, technologies, and knowledge products to market through program and portfolio management.

She has over 25 years of experience in information technology, technical project management, grant writing, and budgetary responsibility in academic and non-profit domains. She also serves as the center’s Transition Lead and is the Director of Information Systems for SENTRY, ALERT, and Gordon-CenSSIS. In this role, she leads the Computer Services Team & oversees the technology and computational needs of the research and administrative environment. Ms. Beirne is ITIL and Microsoft certified and serves as an active member of Northeastern University’s Information Technology Providers Group. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont.

Ms. Linson is currently the Industry Partnership and Government Liaison, as well as the Transition Team Consultant for SENTRY. She brings with her over 30 years of experience in science and technology. Prior to joining SENTRY, Ms. Linson served as the Deputy Director of the Office of University Programs for the Science and Technology Directorate and as a Special Program Officer with the Secret Service. Both positions were at the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, she served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for 20 years with subspecialties in intelligence, anti-submarine warfare, and human resources.  Ms. Linson holds a master’s in business administration in financial management from the Naval Post Graduate School, a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas, and she is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. 

Linda Brown is a veteran in maritime and aviation security with over 30 years of service in U.S. Customs and Border Protection. As Area Port Director for Boston, she led operations across three states, developing innovative training programs for terrorism response and intelligence assessments. Brown directed Boston Logan Airport’s enforcement response during the Boston Marathon bombing and established new protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. She continues to contribute to safety initiatives through community programs, including church security planning and grant-funded infrastructure projects. 

Captain Webster retired from federal service in 2023 following a forty-six-year career with the US Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. His 26-year career in the Coast Guard included overseeing over 10,000 search and rescue cases. A Lifetime Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Management (IAEM,) Captain Webster also serves as a founding board member of the newly launched International Association of Search and Rescue Coordinators (IASARC). While at TSA, Webster co-founded the agency’s prototype Behavioral Detection and Visible Intermodal Protection and Response programs, enhancing security across transportation systems nationwide. He received the Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Award for outstanding performance in 2021 after he led the Northeast during the Pandemic as Administrator for FEMA’s New England Region, including coordinating collaborative efforts of 128 agencies. A consultant in homeland security and normalcy bias issues and an author in maritime history, Captain Webster holds master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College and is the US Coast Guard Academy’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni.

Brent Naccara directs safety and security for the Houston Texans, managing compliance with National Football League policies and collaborating with law enforcement on threat response. A former U.S. Secret Service agent, he served on the Presidential Protection Detail and led tactical operations with the Counter Assault Team. In his current role, he oversees risk assessments, video surveillance, and emergency plans for the Texans’ facilities, leveraging over 20 years of security expertise.

Wendy Riggs-Smith is a registered architect specializing in aviation and transportation security infrastructure. She developed and executed Logan Airport’s Active Shooter Exercise, involving over 1,300 participants, and has led projects such as consolidating surveillance systems across Massachusetts Port Authority facilities. Riggs-Smith is also credentialed in construction management and sustainability, making her a leader in designing facilities that balance security with operational efficiency.

Rear Admiral Naccara is the Chair of the SENTRY Practitioner Advisory Board and he brings to this role, significant expertise in safety and security design, testing, and deployment from 54 years of experience in former roles within the US Department of Homeland Security. Prior to his retirement in 2019, he served as the Chief Security Officer for the Massachusetts Port Authority where he sought innovative solutions to various security challenges. Before joining MassPort, Admiral Naccara was one of the first Federal Security Directors in the newly established Transportation Security Administration serving from 2002 to 2014. He launched his career in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving for 37 years before retiring as a Rear Admiral. He is a Harvard University fellow with a master’s in business management from Central Michigan University and a bachelor’s degree from the US Coast Guard Academy.  

Jacob Ludes brings decades of experience in educational leadership and accreditation, having worked with institutions across six states and 72 countries. As Chief Executive Officer of NEASC, he facilitated global education improvement while advising U.S. presidents on policy. Ludes is also a historian and author of numerous articles and a monograph on regional history. He holds degrees in education and history from the State University of New York and is celebrated for transforming underperforming schools into national models.

Cathy Lanier oversees the security of NFL venues and events worldwide, ensuring the safety of fans, players, and staff at some of the largest events in sports, including the Super Bowl. As Washington, D.C.’s first female Police Chief, she implemented groundbreaking strategies that reduced violent crime by 21% while fostering community trust. Lanier is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and holds advanced degrees in management and national security studies. She continues to be a leader in counterterrorism and event security. 

Colonel Kenneth Kasprisin has 26 years of military service and extensive leadership in homeland security and aviation operations. While at the Transportation Security Administration, he served as Acting Administrator, leading the deployment of advanced screening technologies. He also held Executive roles at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, overseeing readiness and response programs for disasters across the United States. A West Point graduate with a master’s in civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, Kasprisin teaches critical infrastructure protection and security ethics courses.

Rick Fenton has over four decades of experience in law enforcement and corporate security. Since 2000, he has led security and safety initiatives for Ilitch Holdings, overseeing venue operations and cross-sector partnerships in Detroit. A former Executive Commander of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, he also developed the Lighthouse Program, which fosters collaboration between public and private security entities. Fenton has taught security strategies as an adjunct faculty at Eastern Michigan University and has contributed to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) training programs. He earned a BS from Wayne State University and an MA from Eastern Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

Donald Bliss is a recognized leader in fire safety and emergency management with over 30 years of public service experience. As New Hampshire’s State Fire Marshal and Homeland Security Advisor, he led initiatives in cross-border security and critical infrastructure protection. At the National Fire Protection Association, he championed global adoption of fire and electrical safety standards. Bliss also led applied research projects in school safety and intermodal cargo security. He holds a BA in Political Science and an MPA from the University of New Hampshire and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Northeastern University.

Anthony Amore brings over two decades of expertise in security operations, including aviation and museum security, regulatory compliance, and personnel management. Since 2005, he has led efforts to safeguard the Gardner Museum’s collection, including handling high-profile investigations. Previously, he was Assistant Federal Security Director with the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration Special Agent, and Immigration Officer. Amore is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and the Harvard Kennedy School, and he lectures on art crime at Harvard University Extension School, where he emphasizes the intersection of security and cultural preservation.

SENTRY’s Threat Prediction Lead, Dr. Jun Zhuang is Morton C. Frank Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, and Director of the Decision, Risk & Data Laboratory, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York. Dr. Zhuang has been a principal investigator of over 30 research grants funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Fire Protection Association. Dr. Zhuang holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

SENTRY’s Layered Security Architecture Design and Simulation Lead Research Lead, Michelle Laboy is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Northeastern University, with affiliate appointments in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. Professor Laboy has twice been awarded the Latrobe Prize, in 2017 and 2022, by the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, to support research that addresses urgent issues for the profession. Her research and teaching bring socio-ecological thinking into architectural design that has agency in the adaptation to changing cultural and ecological landscapes. Her work has been published in The Plan Journal, Enquiry, the Journal of Architectural Education, the Journal of Industrial Ecology; as well as the recent book titled: The Architecture of Persistence: Designing for Future Use.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, and both a Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan.   

Professor Castañón is the Real-Time Threat Detection and Mitigation Research Lead for SENTRY, as well as the Associate Director of the emeritus Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives Related Threats (ALERT); Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Systems Engineering at Boston University; and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) fellow.

Professor Castañón’s research interests include stochastic control, estimation, game theory, optimization, and parallel and distributed computing, with applications to inverse problems, multi-target tracking, object recognition, sensor management, and cooperative operations planning and control. He has served in numerous leadership positions in the IEEE Control Systems Society, including President, and received the Society’s Distinguished Member Award. He also served on the Air Force’s Scientific Advisory Board. Professor Castañón holds a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Professor Rappaport is the Deputy Director and Advanced Sensing Technologies Research Lead of SENTRY, as well as the Director of the emeritus Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives Related Threats (ALERT); Associate Director of the Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (Gordon-CenSSIS), a graduated National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center; a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern University; and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics (IEEE) fellow.

He has authored over 450 technical journal and conference papers in the areas of microwave antenna design, electromagnetic wave propagation and scattering computation, and bioelectromagnetics. He holds two reflector antenna patents, two biomedical device patents, and four subsurface sensing device patents. Professor Rappaport holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Professor Silevitch is the Director of SENTRY, as well as Co-Principal Investigator for the Engineering PLUS National Science Foundation Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Alliance; Director of the Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems, a graduated National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center; the Robert D. Black Professor of Engineering at Northeastern University; and an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE) fellow. Professor Silevitch was also the founding Director of the emeritus Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives Related Threats (ALERT).

Professor Silevitch’s training encompassed both physics and electrical engineering disciplines. An author/co-author of over 65 journal papers, his research interests include laboratory and space plasma dynamics, nonlinear statistical mechanics, and K-12 science and mathematics curriculum implementation. Professor Silevitch also created the Gordon Engineering Leadership (GEL) Program at Northeastern University, a graduate curriculum offered through the College of Engineering that aims to create an elite cadre of engineering leaders. He and the current GEL Director, Simon Pitts, were awarded the 2015 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Engineering Education by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Professor Silevitch holds a Ph.D., a Master of Science in electrical engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, all from Northeastern University. He has an MA in Physics from Brandeis University.

Professor Cozzens is the Workforce and Professional Development Co-Lead for SENTRY, as well as Project Director for the Center for Discrete Mathematics & Theoretical Computer Science, founded as a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center; Education and Outreach Director for the emeritus Department of Homeland Security University Center of Excellence, The Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA); and a Distinguished Research Professor at Rutgers University.

Her research interests include discrete mathematical modeling, graph theory, and game theory. Professor Cozzens holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science. degrees in mathematics from Rutgers and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and english from the University of Rochester.