Risk, Safety, & Resilience

Group: RSR

John Crocker

Title: Chemical Safety Manager

Phone: 703-993-1766

Website: https://rsr.gmu.edu

Groups: EHS

John Crocker joined the Environmental Health and Safety Office at George Mason University in January of 2013 as the Chemical Safety Manager. He manages the chemical hygiene program, laboratory hazard assessments and accident/incident investigations, the hazardous waste management program, laboratory registrations and annual inspections. He also serves as an Alternate Responsible Official at George Mason University’s Biomedical Research Laboratory on the Science and Technology Campus.

Prior to joining George Mason, John served as an industrial hygienist for an environmental consulting firm in Richmond, VA from 1998 to 2000, before transitioning to Radford University as an Environmental Compliance Specialist from 2000 to 2010, and then as Interim Safety Director from 2011 to 2012.

John earned a certification as a Board Certified Safety Professional in 2012, and certification as a Hazardous Materials Manager in 2023. John graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University with a BA in Biology.

Kristin Pardiny

Kristin Pardiny Photo By: Creative Services/George Mason University

Title: Emergency Manager

Phone: 703-993-6990

Website: https://ready.gmu.edu

Groups: EM&FS

Kristin Pardiny joined the Risk, Safety, & Resilience department at George Mason University as an Emergency Manager in May 2024. In this role, she prepares for, responds to, and recovers from emergencies, disasters, and campus events affecting the community. She is part of the Emergency Management & Fire Safety division, which develops and maintains comprehensive emergency response plans. 

Previously, Kristin served as a fire/EMS Lieutenant with the Arlington County Fire Department. She managed emergency incidents and coordinated resources for multi-agency events. As a member of the Technical Rescue Team, she specialized in high-risk rescues in complex environments. 

In 2019, Kristin transitioned into more dedicated emergency management roles, serving as a Fire Department liaison during Emergency Operations Center activations and joining the National Capital Region Incident Management Team. She has assisted with various Community Risk and Reduction programs and served as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instructor and liaison. Additionally, she led the planning for a fire department youth camp, connecting youth with resources to support fire service recruitment. 

Kristin graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in emergency management in 2021 and plans to continue her education at George Mason University. She remains a member of the National Capital Region Incident Management Team, responding to various emergency and disaster situations. 

Timothy Wharton

Title: Senior Fire Systems Inspector

Groups: EM&FS

Tim Wharton came to George Mason University in February of 2001 serving in the Preventive Maintenance Department of Facilities Management. Tim joined the EHS Fire Safety staff in September of 2006. Tim is responsible for inspection and testing of sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Tim also assists with monthly checks of fire extinguishers, fire pumps, and valves

Tim currently has his National Institute For Certification in Engineering Technologies Level I and II in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Suppression System, Level I Fire Alarm Systems as well as Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester/Mechanic Certification from Chesapeake Cross Connection Institute. He has also been trained in CPR, First Aid, Confined Space Entry, and Blood Borne Pathogens.

Prior to joining Mason, Tim worked in surveying and mapping and spent several years as a CNC machinist

Danielle Fritz

Title: Risk Control Manager

Phone: 703-993-1294

Website: https://risk.gmu.edu

Groups: ORM

Danielle Fritz began her career at George Mason University in September 2011. Her tenure in Operational Risk Management provided her the knowledge and expertise that led to her promotion to Risk Control Manager. In this role, she oversees the Incident Accident and Programs, Events, and Camps (PEC) programs, serves as the international Travel Liaison for the University Travel Advisory Committee (UTAC), and supports the administration of the Commonwealth’s Risk Management Plan and other specialty insurance programs. Her responsibilities also include managing certificates of insurance, technical oversight of risk-related databases and trainings, and analysis of claims and insurance data.

Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Akron, a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University, and earned the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) Certification in 2023.

Mohamed Kamara

Title: Occupational Safety Specialist

Phone: 703-993-4117

Groups: EHS

Mohamed Kamara joined Environmental Health and Safety at George Mason University in January 2022 and currently serves as the Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer. In this role, he leads critical initiatives to ensure the safety and regulatory compliance of Facilities Management (FM) operations. His responsibilities include:

  • Preparing LOTO Equipment Specific Procedures.
  • Coordinating and scheduling safety training for FM employees.
  • Conducting Lockout Tagout (LOTO) proficiency assessments.
  • Performing fire and safety inspections across FM workshops.
  • Preparing detailed Job Safety Analyses (JSAs).
  • Overseeing Environmental Compliance efforts, including air emissions reporting, fuel certification, air permitting, Tier II reporting, trainings, and universal waste management.

Mohamed brought a wealth of experience from the Virginia Department of Corrections, where he served as an Occupational and Environmental Safety Specialist. His background reflects a strong foundation in both regulatory compliance and hands-on safety program implementation.

Mohamed holds a Master of Science in Occupational Environmental Safety and Health from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.

David Farris, PhD

Title: Associate Vice President for Risk, Safety, & Resilience

Phone: 703-993-2507

Website: https://rsr.gmu.edu

Groups: RSR

Dr. David Farris is currently the Associate Vice President for Risk, Safety, & Resilience. David joined George Mason University as Chemical Hygiene Officer in August 2004. In this role, he was instrumental in developing George Mason’s laboratory safety program and created emergency response plans in accordance with federal and state environmental regulations. David’s role evolved and he became responsible for managing and developing safety programs in a broader sense for the university specifically in the areas of occupational safety and environmental compliance. In 2008, David became Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. Fire Safety and Occupational Safety programs were added to his portfolio in 2010 and 2014, respectively. In 2024 David became the Assistant Vice President for Risk, Safety, & Resilience and began working with Employee Health & Well-Being while continuing to support Environmental Health & Safety, and Emergency Management & Fire Safety functional units.

Prior to working at George Mason, David was at Clean Harbors Environmental Services. During David’s tenure at Clean Harbors he served as a lead field chemist, regional manager, technical service specialist, sales representative, and project manager in the areas of business development, environmental compliance, emergency response, environmental remediation, and industrial services.

David graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology, received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Mason’s School of Management in May 2007, and received a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development in 2016.