Operationalizing School Safety Training

Former classroom teacher.
Current Principal of Cimarron Middle School.

Chris Zimmerman is a dedicated principal in the Douglas County School District in Colorado, where he has served for the past 17 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. In addition to his leadership at the school level, Chris is an active member of the district safety committee, a board member of the Colorado Association of School Resource Officers, and a respected national safety trainer and speaker. With a deep passion for student safety and well-being, Chris is committed to fostering a school environment that champions equity, advocacy, and personalized support for every learner. His work reflects a steadfast dedication to ensuring that all students can thrive in a secure and nurturing educational setting.

Director of Safety & Security
Cherry Creek School District, Colorado

Ian C. Lopez has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement and school district safety. He currently serves as Director of Safety & Security for the Cherry Creek School District, leading a 150-member team responsible for emergency preparedness, investigations, and physical security across 80 schools serving 55,000 students.

A retired Police Commander with the Northglenn Police Department, Ian led patrol operations, training, and tactical response. As a SWAT Team Leader, he directed high-risk operations and played a critical role in major incidents, including the 2017 Thornton Wal-Mart shooting. He received five Meritorious Service Awards and a Purple Heart.

Ian is President of CASSLEO, a member of NASRO, and a frequent speaker at state and national safety conferences. He has led over 600 school lockdown drills and played a key role in regional emergency planning and response coordination.

Scott is a U.S. Army veteran, has devoted much of his life to serving the public. With over 25 years of law enforcement experience, he has also held leadership positions, including Executive Director of a Substance Abuse Prevention Non-Profit and worked with a regional behavioral health organization across 16 counties. In addition, Scott served as the Emergency Operations Planning Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Education, where he trained and collaborated with all 354 school districts in the state. He helped schools and local partners create, update, and adapt their Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) to meet evolving needs. Scott developed best practice-based training programs for EOPs, which are now being used in five states and are expanding further.

Throughout his career, Scott has worked closely with schools, engaging with administrators, staff, safety teams, students, and parents. He taught the DARE program for 21 years and served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician for 25 years. Scott brings a practical, common-sense approach to prevention, preparation, response, and recovery, offering customized safety plans designed specifically for your organization’s needs.