Meet The Team – Managing Partners
Chief James Jackson (Ret)
Managing Partner
Chief Jackson is a fire service veteran with 37 years of experience. He
worked for 30 years with the Downers Grove Fire Department in Illinois. He
started his career as a volunteer with the Frankfort Fire Department, Illinois,
and worked in the EMS and Public Education Divisions. As the Chief
Administrator of the Downers Grove Fire Department, he has vast
experience in emergency management, administration, and operation. He
led a contemporary fire agency to ISO Class 1. Chief Jackson also worked for 18 years in the private Fire Protection Industry as an Executive Consultant, working directly with the President/CEO of a top-rated fire alarm systems company. He also served as a Village of Manhattan Planning Committee member and the Police and Fire Commission. Additionally, Jackson provided over seven years of consulting and assessment services to the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.
Chief Jackson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Management from
Southern Illinois University and an Associate’s degree in Fire Science
Technology from Joliet Junior College. The Illinois State Fire Marshal has
certified him as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO). The Center of Public Safety
Excellence has awarded him professional credentials as a chief fire officer
designation (CFOD). He is also a member of the Illinois Fire and Police
Commission Associations, having completed all modules.
Chief Dave Silvinski (Ret)
Managing Partner
Chief Slivinski is retired from the Lemont Fire District and has over 36 years
of operational and administrative experience. Additionally, he has ten years
of human resources experience in the private sector, serving as a consultant
for small and mid-sized organizations. Dave served as the Program Director
of Assessment & Consulting Services for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association
for seven years, providing many consulting and leadership selection
services to clients throughout Illinois.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University, and held certification as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Illinois State Fire Marshal and is professionally credentialed through the Center of Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer designation (CFOD). He has spoken at many conferences around the globe about assessment centers in the fire service.
Meet The Team – Partners
Chief Scott Bowman (Ret)
Partner
Chief Boman has nearly 40 years of fire service experience, starting as a volunteer with the Crestwood Fire Department before becoming a career firefighter with the Oak Lawn Fire Department. Over 29 years in Oak Lawn, he progressed through the ranks as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, Company Officer, Shift Commander, and Bureau Chief of Training. In his final five years, he served as Deputy Chief, overseeing Operations, Buildings, and Apparatus.
He holds an Associate’s in Fire Science from Moraine Valley College and a Bachelor’s in Management from Illinois Benedictine University. A certified Chief Fire Officer and Assessor in Illinois, he is also the Lead Instructor for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association’s Fire Officer programs and teaches Fire Science and Emergency Management at Harper College.
Chief Scott Sobol (Ret)
Partner
Chief Sobol is a fire service veteran with over 40 years of experience, including 27 years with the Oak Lawn Fire Department, where he rose to Battalion Chief and served as a Lead Arson Investigator and Instructor at the Oak Lawn Fire Academy, later becoming its Director in 2007. He began his career as a volunteer with the Hometown Fire Protection District in 1982. Chief Sobol is currently a Lead Instructor with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, specializing in Officer and Leadership Development programs.
He holds associate degrees in Fire Science and Communications/Journalism, is a certified Chief Fire Officer and Assessor in Illinois, and has published works in arson investigation. An experienced public speaker, Chief Sobol has presented as a keynote speaker at numerous events.
Chief Robert Wilson (Ret)
Partner
Chief Wilson has 40 years of fire service experience, retiring in 2021 from the Frankfort Fire Protection District, Illinois. He began as a volunteer and advanced through the ranks, serving as a company officer, Division Chief, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief for five years. Since 2002, Frankfort Fire Protection District grew from an all-volunteer department to an all-career organization with over 70 members and five stations.
He holds a master’s degree in public administration, is a Certified Chief Fire Officer with the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and has a Chief Fire Officer Designation with the Center of Public Safety Excellence. A certified assessor in Illinois, he is also a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a field staff instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute Fire Officer Programs.