Eastern Kentucky University has named Bryan Makinen as executive director of public safety and risk management.
Makinen, who joined the University staff in 2009 after serving two years as an adjunct faculty member, has served the past six months as interim executive director of public safety. As executive director, he will have direct oversight responsibility for Public Safety, Police, the 911 Telecommunications Center, Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management and Insurance Services, and Emergency Management.
Under his leadership, the Division provides policing services, designs and implements safety programs, performs industrial hygiene inspections and monitoring, conducts inspections, manages hazardous materials, advises senior management on potential sources of loss, and represents the University to insurance markets. Makinen will also respond to the local Emergency Operations Center and serve as the University liaison in the event of a local community emergency.
Makinen, a two-time EKU graduate who delivered a student commencement address when he received a master’s degree in 2006, joined Eastern as director of environmental health and safety in 2009 and three years later was named director of environmental health and safety/risk management and insurance. He also teaches courses through EKU’s OSHA Training Institute Education Center.
In June 2014, colleagues elected Makinen to serve a one-year term as Staff Regent on EKU’s Board of Regents. He was re-elected earlier this year.
He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies at EKU.