Eric Oddo
Continuity Program Director
Phone: 315-657-3562
Email: eoddo@umaryland.edu
Areas of Expertise: Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning | Emergency Operations Plans (EOP) | Discussion-Based Emergency Exercise Development, Facilitation and Evaluation | Operations-Based Emergency Exercise Development, Facilitation and Evaluation | Root Cause Analysis
Certifications and Affiliations: FEMA Continuity of Operations Excellence Series – Level II Master Continuity Practitioner | FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP)
Education: M.P.A., 2008, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University | B.A. in Political Science and Public Justice, 2004, State University of New York at Oswego
About Eric
I first discovered CHHS while I was in Herzliya, Israel, participating in a counterterrorism independent study program during the final stretch of graduate school. I shared my job search frustrations with my professor who suggested I reach out to his colleague, Michael Greenberger who ran a ‘Homeland Security-focused Center’ that sounded like a great fit for me. Seventeen years later, I’m still happily working at that very Center. While Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning and emergency exercises are my day-to-day focus, the most impactful project I’ve worked on was the 2021–2022 investigation and After-Action Report following the line-of-duty death of a Captain in a local Fire Department. I led a coalition of regional fire chiefs to produce a comprehensive report identifying the root causes of the incident and offering recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future—a year-long effort I’m incredibly proud of. What makes CHHS so special to me is that it’s full of serious people who don’t take themselves too seriously.
What is your working style?
I am extremely organized, as I often get teased about during staff meetings, and I like to make sure every possible detail is accounted for at every juncture of a project. But I also like to keep things light-hearted and maintain a jovial and positive working relationship with any client with whom I work.
What's something most people don't know about you?
I have had Chronic Lyme Disease since 2019. Creating awareness of this often frustrating and confusing illness is something that I’m extremely passionate about.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I love to read (history and politics), exercise, explore the world with my wife, create happy memories and experiences for my two kids, and obsessively support Syracuse University football and basketball.
