Travis Nelson currently serves as the Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Governor Moore. Travis has served in this position since January 2024 in addition to serving as a Sergeant with the Maryland State Police. As part of these duties, Travis monitors homeland security matters impacting Maryland and directly advises Governor Moore, Lt. Governor Miller, state elected and senior appointed officials. He serves on the National Capitol Region Homeland Security Executive Committee, Maryland Artificial Intelligence Subcabinet, Cyber Security Council and other similar state boards and councils. Prior to this position, Travis was the commander of the Complex Operations Management Unit, part of the Special Operations Division of the Maryland State Police. This unit was responsible for oversight, management and planning of complex incidents and events, to include Gubernatorial Inaugurations, 2022 truck convoy and Maryland law enforcement support to the District of Columbia and the US Capitol Police during January 6, 2021. This Unit also oversaw preparedness and prevention of incidents with large scale impacts, such as those involving weapons of mass destruction or mass casualties. In addition to those duties, Travis was also detailed as a liaison officer to the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) since 2015 and coordinated resources, management and response of law enforcement during a crisis. Travis has served as the co-chair for the Maryland Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Workgroup since 2014 and works with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical System Services (MIEMSS) to lead a statewide effort to provide guidance for all responders to hostile events. He is the former chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Complex Coordinated Attack Working Group, member and former chair of the Region III Advisory Council for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supports several other committees and groups in Maryland. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Travis served as the primary coordinator of law enforcement operations and led the prevention task force which oversees compliance and enforcement of public health orders.
Prior to assignment in 2013, he was assigned to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency as a regional liaison officer, MSP Special Events Unit, MSP Human Resources Division and MSP Centreville Barrack. Travis is the former Director of Career Services at the Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad in Chestertown, MD and was a certified medic, rescue diver and firefighter. He previously worked for Kent County 9-1-1, Queen Anne’s County 9-1-1 and Queen Anne’s County EMS.

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