About Eric

Eric Nation spent over 20 years in the field of law enforcement where he worked his way up to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, he led a large successful drug task force and started a countywide Drug Endangered Children Alliance. Eric came to National DEC to have a greater impact on law enforcement and other professionals by training and educating them on substance misuse and the impact to children. He served as the Director of Training and Development where he helped develop curriculum and materials, worked with agencies across the country to provide trainings and technical assistance to professionals. He is also a national trainer on various topics including substance use, law enforcement, building multidisciplinary teams, capacity building, and drug trends. Eric currently serves as National DEC’s Executive Director impacting change at a different level. He is very passionate about helping children and brings passion to every part of the work he does across the country.

Carrie Jensen is the Director of Operations for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC). She has over 20 years of experience in child abuse prevention education, curriculum research and development and providing trainings and technical assistance. Prior to joining National DEC she worked for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in the Children’s Justice Center Program (nationally known as Children’s Advocacy Centers) and prior to that worked at Prevent Child Abuse Utah where she spent the majority of her time teaching children in classrooms how to recognize and report child abuse. Carrie has served on many boards, coalitions and Task Forces most recently as a member of the Utah Opioid Task Force and the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force. Carrie has a Bachelor’s of Integrated Studies with emphasis in Social Work, Child and Family Studies and English and holds a Social Service Worker License.

Nikki Romer is the Director of Alliance Development for National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (National DEC), where she is responsible for overseeing and expanding partnerships and relationships at the state, tribal, and local levels. She has served as an adjunct professor teaching courses in the criminal justice department. Prior to joining National DEC, Nikki served as the lead forensic interviewer interviewing children who were victims of maltreatment or witnesses to crimes. She formed a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to help identify, respond to, and serve children who are victims of severe neglect, and she spearheaded efforts to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Nikki also worked as a Victim Service Specialist with the Iowa Attorney General’s Crime Victim Assistance Division and served for six years as a certified peace officer, where she was a patrol officer, hostage negotiator, and field training officer. Nikki earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa in 2013 and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Iowa. 

Jim has over 50 years’ experience in the fields of accounting and finance, serving as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Finance and Controller for a variety of firms ranging from Manufacturing, Telecom and Entertainment to the largest law firm in Colorado. He holds a BA degree in accounting from California State University, Fullerton and an MBA in finance from Loyola University of Chicago, graduating in the top 5% of his class. Jim is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner. Following his corporate carrier he became self employed as a consultant for many organizations working in a wide variety of industries which led him to National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children in 2010. Jim taught accounting, finance and fraud investigation at both the undergraduate and graduate level at five universities in the Denver/Boulder area for 20 years. Jim is a veteran, having served three years in the US Army in Germany. Together with his wife of 57 years, they have two daughters and one grandson.

Dr. Darla Shaw is the CEO of Talent Masters, a leading business strategy, HR consulting and recruiting firm, where she specializes in helping organizations optimize their people and organizational strategies and drive transformative growth. With over 25 years of experience in HR leadership, she is a trusted business strategy advisor, often serving as a fractional CHRO for high-growth companies across industries. She is a Phd Organizational Psychologist and holds two masters degrees; a MBA and a Masters in Labor Law. 

Darla is an expert in global HR operations, change management, and labor relations, with a proven track record of scaling organizations, navigating complex mergers and acquisitions, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Her strategic insights and hands-on leadership have earned her recognition as a dynamic force in the HR and business strategy sectors.

Lucy is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 7 years of experience in marketing, branding, and strategic vision. She has successfully built two businesses from the ground up and holds a Master’s degree in Media, with a PhD in progress. Her creative expertise and strategic mindset bring a fresh perspective to National DEC, enhancing its mission to raise awareness and provide resources for drug-endangered children. With a strong background in social media strategy and brand management, Lucy crafts compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Her leadership and collaborative approach strengthen National DEC’s alliances across professional disciplines, driving efforts to improve the lives of children and families affected by substance misuse.

James Henning, served almost 32 years with the Denver Police Department and retired in 2020 after attaining the rank of Commander. Working his way from Patrol to Command Staff, James worked assignments in Training, Communications, Vice/Drug, Administration, and served as the Commander of the Investigative Support Division.

In 2012, James became the Lieutenant of the Vice/Drug control unit. That same Fall, Colorado was the first state to legalize the production, sale, and possession of recreational Marijuana. In his role as lieutenant, James took the lead in developing the Denver Police Department’s policy, procedure, and implementing Municipal Code and State Law to address the complicated issues created by the new law. Also In 2012, James took the lead role in revising and implementing city policy and procedure surrounding Drug Endangered Children (DEC). As a certified DEC instructor, James worked with the Denver DEC team across numerous agencies including the Department of Human Services, the Denver District Attorney’s office, and public and private service providers.  Since retiring in 2020, James continues to teach locally and nationally on the intersection of marijuana legalization and Drug Endangered Children. 

Shaz is a skilled data management professional with extensive experience in project management, data optimization and process improvement along with a strong background in data analysis and a passion for driving operational efficiency. His professional journey spans roles in data management, administrative leadership, and outreach coordination, where he has demonstrated a keen ability to implement systems that improve efficiency and drive business growth. Shaz’s technical skills, combined with his collaborative approach and leadership experience, allow him to contribute meaningfully to team success and organizational goals. He is committed to continuous professional development and leveraging emerging technologies to optimize data-driven decision-making and support organizational growth.

Susan Reetz is chief creative at Clear Focus Media, LLC and has been project managing media projects for over 30 years. Her film numerous national and international awards. Susan has produced documentaries about a Wisconsin tuba player, the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act, and drug endangered children, among other topics. Her current documentary project is a profile of a Wisconsin Vietnam War Veteran, his life, and his service.

In addition to her film and video work, Susan also writes and manages print, web and e-learning projects.

Reetz earned both her BA and MA in Communication from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP). She has taught scriptwriting at UWSP and has led workshops for the UW Madison Writers Institute. You can view her LinkedIn profile, visit www.ClearFocus.Media, or check out video samples on YouTube to learn more.

Kate is an experienced Project Manager and Instructional Designer with over 15 years in IT Project Management and more than a decade as a consultant and trainer. Previously a Senior Project Manager at Liberty Mutual Group, she has also collaborated with National DEC on the COPS eLearning and CheckDEC projects. Kate holds a BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, an MS in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Stout, a Master’s Certificate in IT Project Management from George Washington University, and a PMP from the Project Management Institute (PMI). She is passionate about sharing her practical insights to help others lead and deliver effectively.

Gary Goldberg retired in 2018 after a 36 year career as a Forensic Chemist with the Drug Enforcement Administration all in the Southwest Laboratory in San Diego, Ca.  During his career, he assisted in the processing of over 200 clandestine laboratories and was qualified for expert testimony approximately 200 times.  He analyzed over 12,000 drug exhibits.  For the final 5 years of his career he held the position of Supervisory Chemist supervising a group of 10 Forensic Chemists.  He currently stays busy working as an consultant/trainer for military and law enforcement personnel on clandestine labs, drug awareness and chemical safety.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Crime Victim Rights Law Group.  

• Carlton Hall, Board President, Carlton Hall Consulting
• Tabatha Curtis, Board Vice President, Tennessee DEC Alliance/Tennessee Bureau of Investigations
• Chuck Daugherty, Secretary, Retired Executive Director ACT Missouri/Missouri DEC Alliance
• Patty McCarthy, Treasurer, CEO Faces and Voices of Recovery
• Allison Smith, Board Member, Our Rescue
• Janki Patel, Board Member, California Social Services