Tom Lamb ’84

Tom Lamb ’84 dedicated more than three decades to the Chicago Police Department, retiring as Commander of the Special Functions Division within the Bureau of Counterterrorism. In this role, he led a force of over 300 elite personnel across 11 specialized units including SWAT, Bomb Squad, Drone Operations, K9, Marine, Helicopter, Mounted Patrol, and Traffic. His leadership was instrumental in planning and executing security operations for some of the most high-profile events in Chicago’s recent history, including the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Lollapalooza, the Chicago Marathon, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, and numerous presidential and dignitary visits.

Tom is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and holds an MBA from St. Xavier University and a BA in Business Management from North Central College. Over his distinguished career, he earned more than 350 awards and commendations, among them the Superintendent’s Award of Valor, the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor, and the 100 Club Award of Valor. His expertise spans critical incident response, counterterrorism, threat risk assessment, and interagency coordination.

In 2024, Tom joined Head of Security as an Advisor, Board Member, and Senior Executive Security Management Consultant. In this role, he applies his real-world operational experience to help organizations strengthen their safety and resilience, while shaping strategic approaches to modern security challenges.

From his early days at Marist to leading high-stakes operations on a national stage, Tom’s career reflects courage under pressure, exceptional leadership, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.