APRIL 14, 2022 — Jason Dempsey has joined UTSA as executive director of risk and emergency management, providing leadership and critical support for the university’s campus health, safety and risk management efforts. Dempsey, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), brings over 20 years of experience in public safety, emergency management and business continuity to UTSA.
“UTSA is committed to creating a safe campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said UTSA Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Veronica Salazar. “I am so excited to welcome Jason to UTSA. With his comprehensive background in emergency preparedness and business continuity, I am confident that the health and safety of our Roadrunner community is in good hands.”
“Jason’s experience and contributions will help enhance the services provided by the risk and emergency management team.”
Dempsey joins UTSA from the City of Costa Mesa in California, where he served as emergency services administrator. In April 2021, he received the City Manager Leadership Award for his accomplished performance on the job and his proactive and instrumental role in the city’s COVID-19 response.
In his new role, Dempsey will oversee operations for the Office of Risk and Emergency Management to provide a safe and secure academic and research environment for the Roadrunner community.
“Jason’s experience and contributions will help enhance the services provided by the risk and emergency management team,” said Mary Hernandez, UTSA associate vice president for administration and operations. “I am looking forward to working with him to meet the needs of our growing campus community.”
Dempsey and his team are charged with administrative oversight of key areas including fire prevention and life safety, occupational health and safety, worker’s compensation, construction and environmental health, business continuity, and risk management, as well as preventing, preparing and responding to campus emergencies to lessen the lasting impact of these events.
“Emergency preparedness is extremely important,” Dempsey said. “To an extent, it is something most people do every day without even thinking about it. For instance, when a person buckles their seatbelt in a vehicle, they prepare for the known and recognized potential of an accident.”
Dempsey holds a Master of Public Administration from University of Southern California as well as a Master of Professional Studies in homeland security and public health preparedness from Pennsylvania State University.
In 1997, Dempsey enlisted in the USMC, where he completed eight deployments to six continents before his retirement in 2015 as director of operations and emergency management. During his 18-year military career, Dempsey served as an explosive ordnance disposal operator with Special Operations Forces, participated in major disaster response and recovery in several countries, and was deployed with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Secret Service in Asia, Latin America, and the U.S.
Additionally, Dempsey has extensive professional experience which includes training and certification in business continuity, emergency management and disaster response and recovery from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Defense and the California Office of Emergency Services.
