Prior to this position he commanded the Field Services Bureau providing executive direction and leadership to over 1,800 enlisted and civilian employees assigned to the department’s seven districts, 30 posts, 22 multi-jurisdictional task forces and numerous special investigative teams.
While in this position he provided leadership, direction, and resources to large department mobilization responses to emergencies, civil disorders, and special events. This includes an out of state mobilization where he was recognized by the governors of Michigan and Ohio with a Leadership Award and Special Recognition.
Prior to this he served as the Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for Michigan. In this position he was responsible for the statewide management and administration of emergency management and homeland security. He holds state certification as a Professional Emergency Manager and directed and coordinated the state’s response to numerous gubernatorial and presidential declared disasters such as the Wolverine Pipeline oil spill, which released over a million gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo river (largest inland waterway spill in U.S. history). In addition, he was the designated State Administrative Agency for grants received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for homeland security efforts in Michigan. He was responsible for a 71 million dollar budget, which included Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division programs and grants.
In 2011, he was a member of a select team which helped develop and implement Governor Snyder’s vision for Michigan to be a national leader on cyber security. This included the Michigan Cyber Command Center which brought private and public sector together to educate, defend against, respond to, recover from, and investigate cyber-attacks.
His engagement with legislators at the state, federal and with our Canadian partners helped Michigan become one of the first states to sign the State and Province Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Agreement, allowing international cooperation in disasters, emergencies, exercises, and training.
His portfolio of services is diverse and includes consulting services on mission-critical communication systems (LTE Cellular and Land Mobil Radio) and lobbying at the state and federal levels. He has served on and/or chaired many national, regional, and state committees and held a Top-Secret security clearance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lt. Col. Sands is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University.