
Bill Welch - Owner of North Bay Security Group
Bill grew up in Marin County, where he earned a two-year degree from College of Marin, and is
currently completing his B.S. through University of Phoenix. Bill has 25 years of Law
Enforcement experience: 10 years with Sausalito PD the last 15 years with Novato PD.
Following Bill’s retirement he founded North Bay Security Group in 2010, and has since been
working with numerous school districts, public and private companies. Bill continues to teach
Active shooter/intruder training and disaster preparedness, as well as being certified as a CPR
and First Aid instructor. Bill conducts site evaluations, EOC and ICS training; participates and
helps with drills (earthquake, fire, lock-downs, shelter in place). Bill also works with schools on
truancy and attendance issues, and home verifications.

Ally Hight - Education Specialist and AOD Counselor
Ally was born and raised in Sonoma County. She completed her undergraduate degree
in Criminal Justice Studies at San Francisco State University in 2011 and soon began
working with teens in the criminal justice system and schools in the Marin community.
She has worked in the restorative justice field for 4 years through group homes and for
the YMCA Youth Court. Prior to receiving her Bachelor's Degree Ally studied child
development and psychology and spent several years working with preschool aged
children. Ally delivers presentations around drug and alcohol use, vaping, social media
usage, peer pressure and bullying. Ally also offers support with restorative justice
practices to 4 th – 9 th graders.

Matt Thomas - Safety Consultant
Matt moved to California in 1989 and began his law enforcement career with the City of
Mill Valley, starting as a Public Safety Dispatcher. Matt became a Police Officer in May
of 1990 and served the citizens of Mill Valley as a patrol officer and detective, before
moving to the Petaluma Police. Matt retired from the Petaluma Police Department after
24 plus years of service. During his near 25-year law enforcement career Matt has
served in the following assignments: patrol officer, crime scene investigator, arson
investigator, hostage negotiator, traffic officer, chaplain liaison, and Every 15 Minutes
coordinator. Matt has served on the board of the California association of Hostage
Negotiators since 2004, with the last 7 years as the state board president. Matt is also
an elected School Board Trustee for the Waugh School District, a position he has held
for the past 8 years, as well as member of the board for Speedway Children's Charity at
Sonoma Raceway, for the past 3 years. Matt works directly with schools offering
support with home visits for attendance and truancy, behavioral issues with students, as
well as determining the need for law enforcement to respond to a school or if the
situation can be dealt with by school staff and North Bay Security Group. Matt also
assist with drills (lock-downs, fire, disaster). He also mentors students on positive
interaction during recess and lunch time.

Jim Shirk - Safety Consultant
Jim is a 30-year veteran Police Officer, who recently retired at the rank of Captain from
the Central Marin Police Authority. Prior to that, Jim served 8 years in the US Army
Military Police. Jim moved to California in 1985 and began his police career with the
Twin Cities Police in 1987. During his 30 year law enforcement career, Jim has served
in the following assignments: patrol officer, field training officer, crime scene
investigator, SWAT , crisis intervention team, narcotics investigator, detective, patrol
sergeant, police operations commander, police support services commander, and
regional SWAT team commander. Jim currently supports schools with home visits for
attendance and truancy, behavioral issues and determines the need for law
enforcement to respond to a school or if the situation can be dealt with by school staff
and North Bay Security Group. Jim also assists schools with drills (lockdowns, fire,
disaster). He also mentors students in positive interaction during recess and lunch time.

Kevin Briggs - Safety Consultant
Kevin Briggs career spans 29 years of government service. This includes 3 years in the
United States Army, 3 years as a California Department of Corrections officer and 23
years as a California Highway Patrol officer, where he retired from the Marin Area at the
rank of motor sergeant in November, 2013. Briggs is an FBI trained crisis negotiator and
has encountered hundreds of people contemplating suicide from the Golden Gate
Bridge. Briggs now teaches suicide prevention, crisis negotiations and active listening
skills to law enforcement, mental health professionals and educators. Kevin supports
schools with home visits for attendance and truancy, behavioral issues and determines
the need for law enforcement to respond to a school or if the situation can be dealt with
by school staff and North Bay Security Group. Jim also assists schools with drills
(lockdowns, fire, disaster). He also mentors students in positive interaction during
recess and lunch time.

Jason Hight - Active Shooter Consultant
Jason comes to North Bay Security with over 10 years of Law Enforcement most
recently at Marin County District Attorney's Office as a DA Investigator. Jason
completed his undergraduate degree in French from Arizona State University in 1998
and came back to the Bay Area to attend law school. Jason earned his Juris Doctorate
from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2002. While working as an officer for
Central Marin Police for almost 10 years, Jason served in the following assignments:
patrol officer; crime scene investigator; Regional SWAT Team member; Field Training
Officer; Juvenile and Sex Crimes Investigator and Patrol Corporal. As part of Jason's
duties, he was tasked with running Active Shooter training at the schools within Central
Marin Police's jurisdiction. Jason continued that task with educating and training the
District Attorney's Office on Active Shooter Response while in his role as DA
Investigator.