OSAC Program Analyst Barry Heyman

OSAC draws upon the insights and expertise of people from every industry and area of public service to help keep U.S. interests safe around the world. And we in the OSAC Program Office are very grateful to have had the good fortune to have worked side by side with Barry Heyman over the past four years as he supported many of our country chapters across Africa, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere with their accreditation requirements.

As Barry wraps up his time with our team, we wanted to take the chance to learn more about how he first got interested in security, how we found his way to OSAC, and what other pursuits he’s explored along the way. Read on for our Q&A with Barry...

Barry, how did you first get interested in security and what kinds of jobs have you held?

My interest in security began when I was working in USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance for eight years. Security was a significant concern in the delivery of humanitarian assistance, especially in conflict situations.?I saw this particularly in Rwanda after the genocide in 1994.?After I retired in 1996, I spent a year as a crisis management trainer at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), where I designed and delivered Crisis Management Exercises to U.S embassies and consulates.?These exercises usually involved crisis situations that had widespread security concerns.?When I moved over to Diplomatic Security in 1999 in their Emergency Planning Office, I reviewed Emergency Action Plans and taught Emergency Planning classes to Regional Security Officers (RSOs).

How did you first get involved with OSAC? ??

I first got involved with OSAC in the early 2000s when a colleague, Craig DeCampli, the Executive Director of OSAC at the time, asked me to do a crisis management exercise for Georgetown University. Many years later, I met Jason Kight when he was a Regional Director in Diplomatic Security - International Programs.?When he became the OSAC Executive Director, I asked him if he could use an experienced Retired Employee Annuitant in OSAC.?Jason said yes and I jumped at the chance.? ? ?

What do you see as the OSAC community's core value to U.S. organizations operating overseas? ?

The core value is information sharing. The amount of information that is shared by RSOs with corporations, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and educational institutions is remarkable. What is also noteworthy is the degree of networking that takes place between OSAC members all the time overseas, and especially during the Annual Briefing.

You’re a man with many other interests outside of work. Can you share a little bit about all the other things you do outside of your professional life?

I’m currently in the midst of a very busy move to my wife's and my new house in New Jersey. That’s where my son and his family live. We are looking forward to spending much more time with our grandchildren. I am also excited about new photography opportunities in the Lake Hopatcong area (the largest lake in NJ!). Our house is very close to that so we intend to rent boats and get out there on a regular basis. ?

We’re grateful you found your way to OSAC along your esteemed career, Barry! You’ve done great work on behalf of our members, been a trusted colleague to the staff at the Program Office, and your dedication to this entire organization is deeply appreciated. Here’s wishing you the best of times back in your home state and please come back down to D.C. to visit us soon.