Michael Masters

Michael G. Masters is the Executive Director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management for Cook County, Illinois. Appointed to this position in May 2011 by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Masters is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the Homeland Security and Emergency Management System across Cook County, involving both first responder and public sector agencies as well as partners in the non-profit and private sectors. Cook is the second largest county in the Country – touching 5.4 million residents and encompassing 134 municipalities and 30 townships as well as numerous unincorporated areas stretching 940 square miles. Prior to accepting this appointment, Masters served as the Chief of Staff for the Chicago Police Department, during which time he helped to direct the policy, operations and strategy of the second largest local law enforcement agency in the United States. Masters oversaw enhancements to training and equipment, the implementation of performance management metrics and accountability systems, and also directed the development and implementation of organizational design changes to enhance operations, improve cost-savings and increase efficiencies while assisting with targeted outreach strategies – all of which contributed to twenty-six months of continuous crime reduction and the lowest homicide rate in the City of Chicago in forty-five years. Masters’ prior appointments and responsibilities include serving as an assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for public safety during which time he oversaw public safety policy and operations for the City of Chicago. He also served as a liaison to the Chicago Police and Fire departments and the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications.