Directory


Eric Dietz

Eric Dietz

Professor

Campus: West Lafayette
Contact Form

Department: Computer and Information Technology
Office: Knoy 259
Phone: 765.494.8130
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2021

Biography:

Biography

Rejoining Purdue University in March 2008, J. Eric Dietz is the Director of the Purdue Homeland Security Institute, Associate Director of the e-Enterprise Center and Associate Professor in the Computer and Information Technology Department at Purdue University. On loan from Purdue to the State from 2005-2008, Eric was the founding Executive Director for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, a new cabinet-level department in Indiana that included over 300 public safety employees. Eric reorganized Indiana’s public safety planning and response placing the responsibility for the safety and security of 6.3 million Indiana residents in one organization. In this time, Dr. Dietz led development of comprehensive plans, training, and exercises needed for Indiana’s emergency response and had responsibility for the fire protection policy including the states’ building inspection functions. Also during this period, Eric led Indiana’s response to 7 Presidential Major Disasters and Emergency Declarations which included restoration and recovery of critical infrastructure. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Dietz was responsible for the catalysis of Purdue’s homeland security research, increasing the impact of Purdue research on society, and organizing Super Projects in Purdue's Discovery Park. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army in 2004, Dr. Dietz led Army research and acquisition programs including chemical weapons detectors, command and control software and army power systems and was in the initial cadre of Uniformed Army Scientists and Engineers. An Indiana native, Eric was graduated in 1984 from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology after earning a bachelors of science in chemical engineering. He also earned a masters of science from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1986 and a PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1994 from Purdue University.

Educational Background

  • PhD (Chemical Engineering), Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, 1994.
  • MS (Chemical Engineering), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN, 1986.
  • BS (Chemical Engineering), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN, 1984.

Teaching

Fall Semester

  • CNIT 199 -- Technology Veterans Learning Community
  • CNIT 581 A -- Foundations of Homeland Security

Spring Semester

  • CNIT 581 B -- Resource Management in Homeland Security
  • CNIT 581 HLS -- Homeland Security Seminar

Fall Semester

  • CNIT 581 SGS -- Smart Grid Seminar

Honors and Awards

  • 2008 - Sagamore of the Wabash Award - Highest Award for Distinguished Service from Indiana's Governor
  • 2006 - President's Award - Indiana Fire Chief's Association
  • 2005 - Honor Alumnus - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Grant Proposals and Projects

  1. See PHSI web page - Various grants

Textbooks and Editorships of Journals/Proceedings

  1. Dietz and Black, (2012) Pandemic Planning .

Industry/Engagement Experience

  • 1982-2004 - United States Army
    Chemical and Acquisition Officer

Professional Affiliations

Certifications

  • Professional Engineer, Indiana

Research Interests

  • Homeland Security
  • Intelligence and Decision Making Information Technology
  • Risk Management with Critical Infrastructure
  • Energy Security

Audiences