Kenneth L. Morckel Director, Ohio Department of Public Safety

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As Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, a state cabinet level position, Kenneth L. Morckel advises Governor Bob Taft on issues related to homeland security, highway safety, alcohol enforcement, emergency medical services, and disaster and recovery, among other issues. Additionally, Morckel chairs the State of Ohio Security Task Force, oversees the State Building Security Review Committee and serves as Ohio's point of contact to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Through his homeland security leadership, Morckel has established numerous partnerships to enhance the state's ability to deter and prevent terrorism. Further, Morckel spearheaded an effort to use federal funding to equip and train all Ohio law enforcement, fire and EMS providers with standardized protection equipment to be used in the event of a biological and chemical incident; increased emphasis on combining safety education with targeted enforcement; and directed the establishment of the new LEADS Intelligence Information System.

Morckel has also led the way in developing other safety partnerships with the private sector, including the nationally recognized Safest Young Driver program with Honda.

Prior to being named Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Morckel served as the superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol from June 2000, through January 2003. In October 2003, Morckel was appointed as a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police's (IACP) Homeland Security Committee, and in June 2004, he was appointed as Chair of the Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence Subcommittee.

Morckel is a graduate of both the FBI's National Executive Institute and the Southern Police Institute Command Officer Development Course at the University of Louisville. He earned a bachelor's degree in human resource management and organizational leadership from Franklin University.

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