Meet Our Team
At Emergency Services Consulting International, our amazing team members are working to change the world, one community at a time. Our full-time staff of industry experts have backgrounds ranging from public safety executive experience to Industrial/Organization Psychology to data analytics & GIS. When the need arises for expanded experience, ESCI pulls from a team of dedicated consultants nationwide. We look forward to working with you!
Our Leadership Team
Jennifer Flaig, MS
Interim COO of ESCI
Virginia
Jennifer currently serves as the Director of the Human Capital Division for Emergency Services Consulting (ESCI). She brings over 20 years of experience to the ESCI team developing and directing testing and training programs for public safety departments throughout the United States. She has developed hundreds of valid, defensible public safety exams to assess all ranks within the fire service from firefighter to Fire Chief.
Flaig holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Her areas of expertise include job analysis, test validation, test administration, candidate development, diversity training, performance evaluation, supervisory/ leadership training, and organizational assessment. In her role as Director, her responsibilities include new business development, employee development, budgeting, and the coordination, delegation, and implementation of all client programs.
Flaig has designed a public safety test preparation book, supervisory training programs, and leadership training programs. She has also developed and implemented innovative testing approaches that minimize group differences (adverse impact), as well as innovative scoring procedures designed to increase assessor consistency and test reliability. Additionally, Flaig is an adjunct professor at George Washington University in Arlington, VA, and the current President-elect for the Personnel Testing Council of Metropolitan Washington (PTC-MW).
Erik S. Gaull, CEM®, CISSP®, CPP®, CBCP®, PMP®, MEP
ESCI Interim Managing Director
Washington, DC
Erik Gaull is a nationally recognized leader in public safety, emergency management, homeland security, and enterprise resilience, with experience at the city, state, and federal levels. He has served in Washington, D.C., New York City, the New Mexico Department of Health, and across the federal government, and has worked as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, paramedic, and park ranger since 1980. He has led projects for agencies including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, the U.S. Navy, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as well as for the World Bank and clients worldwide.
In 2024, he was appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board, and in 2025 to the Maryland 9-1-1 Board. He serves as USA Secretary of the International Association of Emergency Managers and holds multiple leadership roles within DHS-related councils and national security organizations.
Erik holds five premier professional certifications, including Certified Emergency Manager®, CISSP®, CPP®, CBCP®, and PMP®. He is a graduate of Georgetown University (MBA, MPP) and Columbia University, with additional executive education from Cornell and Harvard. He is a seasoned law enforcement officer, Nationally Registered Paramedic, and senior fire service professional, and has served as an instructor for the National Fire Academy and other institutions.
He is the most senior reserve officer in the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and a Life Member of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department. In 2017, he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his public safety volunteerism.
Our Staff
Chris Armstrong
Project Manager, PSS Division
Florida
Chris is a retired fire chief with over 35 years of leadership in fire-based EMS systems including a major metro-sized department. As a graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a master’s degree in emergency services management, his expertise in public safety and administrative leadership is unparalleled.
Emily Burke, MS
I/O Associate
Virginia
Emily is an I/O Associate with a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University. Dedicated to supporting public safety agencies develop fair and reliable assessments, she strives to enhance performance, foster professional growth, and deliver meaningful, long-term impact.
Lauren Carnahan, MS
Project Lead
Lauren is an I/O Associate with a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland. Passionate about creating testing solutions that drive meaningful, long-term impact, she thrives on building strong, collaborative relationships with both clients and ESCI team members.
Camryn Cooper, MS
Project Manager, HC Division
Virginia
Camryn serves as an I/O Associate at ESCI, where she applies her Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from George Mason University towards crafting promotional materials for public safety agencies. Committed to personal and professional growth, she continuously seeks innovative methods to enhance her work and positively impact the lives of others.
Richard Curtis
Project Manager, PSS Division
Washington
Richard has a distinguished career in the fire service, starting as a volunteer with Hoodland Fire District in Oregon, then becoming Battalion Chief for Bonney Lake in Washington. He served as Fire Chief for Anacortes for 22 years before retiring in 2018. Post-retirement, Richard filled interim fire chief roles for Astoria, Oregon, and South Pierce Fire & Rescue near Tacoma. In October 2021, he joined ESCI as an associate consultant, later becoming a Senior Project Manager in February 2022. His expertise includes master planning, community risk assessments, and strategic planning for fire departments.
Andrea Hobi
ESCI Business Manager
Oregon
Introducing our dedicated Fire Service Professional, Andrea Hobi. Andrea graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. With over 20 years of industry experience and a passion for serving the community, Andrea brings invaluable expertise and unwavering commitment to our team at ESCI. Andrea has experience at both Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue as well as the Bureau of Emerency Communications in Multnomah County Oregon. Andrea is well-versed in tackling complex challenges, implementing effective strategies, and ensuring top notch customer service with our clients and employees.
Lisa Jackson
GIS & Data Analytics Program Manager
Georgia
Lisa is a seasoned GIS and data analytics professional with over 17 years of experience supporting federal, state, and local agencies. She joined ESCI after serving in roles such as Senior Geospatial Analyst and Developer, Adjunct GIS & Geography Instructor, and Fire Service Educator. Lisa holds a master’s degree in geography from Florida State University and a bachelor’s in environmental geosciences from Valdosta State University. Her expertise spans Esri ArcGIS administration, workflow automation, and public safety applications, combining technical innovation with operational insight. In addition to her geospatial leadership, Lisa is a certified Fire Instructor II and NPQ Firefighter II, bringing hands-on experience in emergency response, technical rescue, and incident command protocols.
Katie Kelley, MS
Project Manager, HC Division
Maryland
Katie is one of ESCI’s senior I/O psychologists and project managers with over a decade of experience managing a wide variety of successful public safety testing processes. Katie has a Master’s degree in Human Resources Development and has two post-baccalaureate certificates: one in I/O Psychology and one in Leadership Development. Katie enjoys developing creative and ambitious test exercises and is always willing to try something new.
Tricia Lawson
Sr. GIS Analyst
Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Tricia is a seasoned GIS and emergency management professional who joined ESCI after serving as the Technology & GIS Integration Manager at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Tricia has held key positions at Deloitte and the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in Homeland Security and a bachelor’s degree in geography from San Diego State University.
Sandi McLean
Testing Associate, HC Division
Virginia
Sandi has dedicated over 35 years to serving others. With more than a quarter-century as an Emergency ER Technician at a hospital in Northern Virginia, her extensive experience as an Emergency Medical Technician, serving multiple counties, and contributing as a first responder volunteer. Furthermore, Sandi has demonstrated her leadership and organizational skills as a Practice Manager, successfully overseeing two medical offices’ launch and ongoing management.
Maggie North, MS
Project Lead, HC Division
Virginia
Maggie is an I/O Associate with a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University. She also has experience in mental health education, music, and social change policy. She enjoys learning about and implementing new strategies of team dynamics, as well as interacting with the Emergency Services personnel she works with during the promotional process.
Heather Peyton
Office Manager, HC Division
Virginia
Heather is the HC Division office manager at the Chantilly (VA) office. Heather plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the office, overseeing administrative tasks, and contributing to a positive and efficient workplace. Her dedication to supporting her colleagues and enhancing organizational effectiveness is evident in her daily interactions and professional approach to challenges. Working with ESCI, Heather is keen to contribute excellent customer service in all that she does.
Jeff Stone
Project Manager, PSS Division
Georgia
Jeff is a retired fire chief with 30 years of service in public safety. His background includes volunteer and career agencies in rural county and municipal areas. He holds multiple educational degrees, is an EFOP graduate from the National Fire Academy, and is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer from the Commission on Professional Credentialing.
Chris Truty
Project Manager, PSS Division
Illinois
Chris draws on over forty years in the fire service, including volunteer, combination, and career, retiring as fire chief at the end of 2020. In addition, his background ranges from municipal fire departments in metropolitan Chicago to rural Colorado fire districts understanding the significant cultural differences between the two. He enjoys working closely with fire departments to move them forward through strategic change, data-informed decision-making, with special attention to internal politics and culture.
Contact Us
Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consulting appointment. We look forward to talking with you.