Meet the Faculty of the
Certificate in Executive Leadership:
Public Safety

Matt Bostrom - Ramsey County Sheriff

Matt Bostrom served nearly 29 years at the Saint Paul Police Department and was elected Ramsey County Sheriff on November 2, 2010. Matt’s formal education was accomplished at Northwestern College (Bachelor of Science), University of St. Thomas (Master of Arts), and Hamline University, where he received his Doctorate in Public Administration. He is an FBI National Academy Graduate, Certified State of Minnesota Emergency Manager and a Licensed Teacher. He published The Influence of Education on Police Officer Work Habits and co-authored the United States Department of Justice study Character-Based Police Officer Selection. In addition, Matt is an Adjunct Professor at Saint Mary’s University, Northwestern College, and Metropolitan State University.

Kevin Gerdes - Director, Public & Nonprofit Leadership Center

Kevin Gerdes is Associate Director of the Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) Program at the Humphrey School. He served 33 years in the Minnesota National Guard, where he held a variety of leadership positions including Commander at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels. He retired in July 2012 as Deputy Commanding General of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division. Kevin completed a tour of duty in Iraq as a Commander and returned in 2006 to help establish Minnesota's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon," a reintegration program that works with community-based organizations to support service men and women and their families during deployment and upon return from active duty. This Minnesota program became the model upon which national policy was based. Kevin attended St. John's University where he completed ROTC. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Upper Iowa University and a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He is nearing completion of his PhD in Leadership at the University of St. Thomas.

John Harrington - Metro Transit Chief of Police

John Harrington began his police career in 1977 with the Saint Paul Police Department. He became the 39th Chief of Police, tackling some of Saint Paul’s most difficult problems, including the development of innovative programs that have greatly reduced domestic violence and gang involvement. John was elected into the Minnesota State Senate in 2010, representing Saint Paul's Far East Side. In 2011, he was recognized as the Outstanding Legislator by the Minnesota School Board Association. John attended DeLaSalle High School in Chicago, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Dartmouth College in Religion with a minor in Chinese, and earned a Masters Degree from the University of St. Thomas in Education. He has also graduated from the FBI National Academy, the National Executive Institute, and the Harvard Senior Management Institute. Senator Harrington has been a faculty member at Metropolitan State University since 1986, teaching Community Oriented Policing and Gangs.