ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore announced the appointment of Travis Nelson as director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security. Nelson will assume the post as director on June 11 after serving with the Maryland State Police for 19 years.
“Travis is a true public servant in every sense of the word and I am grateful he has continued to raise his hand to protect and defend the people of Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “For the last year and a half, Travis has already been doing the work – helming the Office of Homeland Security as acting director. This appointment marks simply the latest chapter in a distinguished record of keeping Marylanders safe and ensuring we are prepared for any crisis.”
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security was formed by former Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. in 2003 to coordinate and direct state homeland security efforts; to advise the governor on public safety issues; and to assess Maryland's readiness and ability to prepare for, prevent, and respond to disasters and emergencies.
Nelson, who has served as acting director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security since January 2024, is a statewide leader for homeland security, special operations, and emergency management with high-level experience coordinating complex public safety initiatives across the region. Since 2014, he has served as co-chair of the Maryland Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Work Group, leading work to identify, update, and share best practices to help Maryland prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from active assailant incidents. Nelson previously served as commander of the Maryland State Police Complex Operations Management Unit, where he was responsible for contributing to the oversight, management, and planning of complex incidents and events.
“I am honored to serve as director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and to support Governor Moore’s unwavering commitment to protecting the people of Maryland,” said Governor’s Office of Homeland Security Acting Director and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Travis Nelson. “In an era of evolving threats, our mission is clear: to build a more resilient, responsive, and unified security infrastructure that safeguards every Marylander. I look forward to working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure the safety and security of all our communities.”
Nelson began his career in public safety more than 20 years ago in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties, where he served as an emergency communications specialist, public safety dispatcher, emergency medical technician and state trooper. He is a life member of the Kent and Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad in Chestertown, Maryland.
