The Homeland Security Training Institute (HSTI) is committed to providing training to prevent and combat threats in today's society. With a dedication to safeguarding communities, HSTI serves as a beacon of excellence in the realm of homeland security education and preparedness by providing the highest standard of teaching. To learn more about HSTI programs and classes, contact:
Tom Ross
Associate Dean, Public Services
(630) 942-2939
John Mondelli
HSTI Program Manager
(630) 942-3721
Matt Gorecki
Range Master
(630) 942-3108
Rebecca Bahr
Administrative Assistant
(630) 942-3723
Ruqaya Abdalrasul
Administrative Assistant
(630) 942-2183
Faculty and Staff Bios
Matt Gorecki
HSTI- Primary Range Master
Matt Gorecki is the Primary Range Master for the HSTI at College of DuPage. He is a retired special agent with 23 years of service with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), compiling 19 years in SWAT/SRT, 17 years as a sniper, 14 years teaching tactics and 12 years as a firearms instructor. During his last 10 years with ATF, he held the position of Division Tactical Advisor (DTA) in Chicago where he was the head tactics instructor for the entire Field Division. During his time as the DTA, he also conducted training for academy students at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), special agents in their respective Field Divisions, SRT operators at SRT Basic Schools and SRT sniper schools. After his retirement from ATF, for four years, Matt worked in Iraq conducting "high threat" diplomatic motorcade operations for Triple Canopy and the U.S. Department of State; six months as a Dedicated Defensive Marksman (sniper), two years as a Shift Leader/Team Leader and most recently as the Deputy Project Manager of Operations where he was the executive manager and operational focal point for all contractor-provided protective security details, including Mobile and Static Protection Teams, Emergency Response Teams, Intelligence Analysts, Medical personnel, Command Post personnel, Explosive Canine Units, Firearms/Tactics Instructors and Interpreters. Prior to his ATF career, Matt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from Northern Illinois University.
Thomas Mefferd
Emergency Management
Tom began his emergency management career in 1971, as the Civil Defense Director for the Village of Plainfield Illinois, a position he held for 10 years. Between 1976 and 1981 Tom also served as the Deputy Coordinator for the Will County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency. In 1981, he left local government and became an instructor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, stationed in Battle Creek, Michigan. While there, he was responsible for conducting training courses and disaster exercises in the six-state area that composed FEMA Region 5, as well as at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
In 1988, Tom returned to local government service and became the Deputy Coordinator of the DuPage County Office of Emergency Management. In 1991, he began coordinating the efforts of the Multi-County Severe Weather Warning System, which included the National Weather Service and 15 counties in northern Illinois. Tom was promoted to Coordinator of the DuPage County OEM in 1995, and in October 2003 he became the Director of the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Tom represented DuPage County as a member of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, chairing both the Homeland Security Advisory System working group and the Communications Committee. During 2003 Tom represented DuPage County and the State of Illinois on the planning team for TOPOFF II, an international terrorism exercise involving the United States and Canada.
Tom retired from DuPage County in February of 2008 and joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – FEMA Region 5, serving as a Branch Chief within the National Preparedness Division. In 2009 Tom was reassigned to the Office of the Regional Administrator serving first as the Emergency Analyst and then as the Executive Officer. Tom retired from federal service in 2019.
Michelle Quesada
Firearms
Michelle Quesada is the primary firearms instructor of the concealed carry program at College of DuPage, Homeland Security Training Institute. Her focus is in precision pistol and defensive handgun shooting as well as the development of junior pistol athletes and female shooters. Michelle's credentials are as follows:
- State certified and registered firearms instructor
- NRA Certified Instructor: Basic Pistol, Personal Protection Inside and Outside the Home
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- State of Illinois Certified Concealed Carry Instructor (CCI)
- NRA Double Distinguished Expert – semi-automatic pistol; USA Shooting Coach Level 1
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Registered Firearms Instructor
Dr. Michael Fagel
Terrorism/Homeland Security
Dr. Mike Fagel joined COD in 2014 to assist in our Homeland Security training program. He is an instructor at several universities, including NIU, IIT and Aurora University. His public safety career included Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management. He has served the US Department of Defense in various capacities, including building a FEMA organization from ground up in the Middle East. Dr. Fagel's credentials are as follows:
- served as a reservist for FEMA/DHS responding to such events as: the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995
- World Trade Center Attacks in 2001 and Hurricane Sandy in New York
- Serves as a Homeland Security Subject Matter Expert and Instructor at Argonne National Laboratory
- Published five textbooks on Emergency Planning, with his latest Book, Crisis Management, earning text book of the year award from ASIS
Brian Wedoff
Crime Prevention Trough Environmental Design/Physical Security and Asset Protection
Brian Wedoff began his career with AT&T after achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree (Justice Systems Major) at Truman State University in Missouri. After earning a Master of Arts Degree (Administration and Management – Criminal Justice) at Loyola University – Chicago, he transferred within the phone company to Corporate Security and spent ten years total in the telecommunications industry. Brian currently works for Ulta Beauty Inc. as the Central Region Loss Prevention Manager with leadership responsibilities for safety, security and loss prevention across a multi-state area with 150 retail locations.
Francesca Kubica
9-1-1 Dispatch Operator
Works as ENP Operations Manager for the town of Cicero 911.