• Dr. Lorenzo D. Sanchez is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) with over 15 years’ experience developing, coordinating, and implementing emergency preparedness and business continuity programs across diverse industries, including local government, higher education, and financial services. 

    Prior to working at Trinity University, Dr. Sanchez held various emergency management and business continuity positions with the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), The University of Texas at San Antonio, City of San Antonio, TX - Office of Emergency Management, Miami-Dade County, FL - Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, URS Corporation, and the City of Austin, TX - Austin Energy. Dr. Sanchez’ emergency and crisis management experience includes responding to local and federally declared emergencies, such as the recent 2021 Texas winter storm, statewide power outages, COVID-19, severe weather, Tropical Storm(s) Fay & Hermine, Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Harvey, and large special events among many other situations. 

    In higher education, Dr. Sanchez led the Office of Risk & Emergency Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio for 11 years as Director, and provided oversight of key campus safety areas including emergency management, business continuity, fire prevention and life safety, occupational health, worker’s compensation, construction and environmental health, and risk management with the goal of preventing, preparing and responding to campus emergencies to lessen the lasting impact of these events on the campus community.

    • The University of Texas at San Antonio - Ph.D. - 2018
    • University of North Texas - M.P.A. - 2006
    • The University of Texas at San Antonio - B.A. –2003
    • International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) - Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
    • Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) - Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)

    PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS 

    • Sanchez, Lorenzo D. (2023). "Bridging the Preparedness Gap Among Vulnerable Populations." San Antonio Medicine Magazine. Vol 76, No. 7. San Antonio, TX: Bexar County Medical Society.
    • Sanchez, Lorenzo D. (2014). Chapter 7 - Developing an Effective Emergency Management Program. In J. Eric Coleman & Peter Johnstone (Eds.), Managing Campus Safety & Security in Higher Education (pp. 87-95). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
    • Sanchez, Lorenzo D., Melissa May. “Engaging the Roadrunner Community in Public Safety.” In Community Connect Magazine. 2017: Volume 5, pg. 18. The University of Texas at San Antonio – Office of Community Services.
    • Sanchez, Lorenzo D. 2018 – In Preparation. “Social Vulnerability – Does Place Mediate Risk?”

     

    RESEARCH & PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 

    • “Engaging Executive Leadership in Planning & Exercise Programs” Presented at the Emergency Management Association of Texas Conference, San Marcos, TX. 2024.
    • “Water Crisis Implications in Higher Education” Presented at the Community Based Water Resiliency Workshop, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), San Antonio, TX. 2020.
    • “Risk of Risks: Social Vulnerability to Hurricane Disasters – Does “Place” Matter?” Research presented at the Texas Emergency Management Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2019.
    • “Social Vulnerability to Hurricane Disasters: Exploring the Effect of Place as a Mediating Factor” Paper presented at the Texas Demographic Conference, Austin, TX. 2018.
    • “Integrated Crisis Communication – Emergency Notification Solutions” Presented at the 2018 DHS National Seminar & Tabletop Exercise for Institutions of Higher Education, San Antonio, TX. 2018.
    • “Rebuilding in the Aftermath of Katina: Emergency Hispanic Populations in Local Labor Markets” Poster presented at the Applied Demography Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2017.
    • “A U.T. System-wide Preparedness Approach” Presented at the Emergency Preparedness and Response to Biological Threats: National Biosecurity Symposium, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX. 2017.
    • “Social Vulnerability: A Preparedness Paradox?” Paper presented at the Texas Emergency Management & Homeland Security Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2016.
    • “From Local Jurisdiction to Higher Education: Making it Work!” Presented at the Texas Emergency Management Conference, San Antonio, TX. 2015.

     

    MEDIA PUBLICATIONS, EXPERT INTERVIEWS, AND MENTIONS 

    • “Engaging the Roadrunner Community in Public Safety”  Interviewed as a subject matter expert regarding emergency notification. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Paisano Newspaper 2018
    • “UTSA Debuts New Emergency Panic System: Alertus” Interviewed as a subject matter expert regarding emergency notification. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Paisano Newspaper 2018
    • “University Plans for Natural Disasters” Interviewed as a subject matter expert regarding emergency plans and severe weather shelters. The University of Texas at San Antonio, Paisano Newspaper (Vol. 56, Issue 8) 2017
    • “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Mentioned for convening a regional collaboration forum for campus preparedness. The University of Texas at San Antonio – Impact Magazine 2017
    • “Time for Tornado Sirens in SA?” Interviewed as a subject matter expert regarding emergency notification system after severe weather/tornadoes in San Antonio. KSAT News 2012
       

    • Chief’s Award – Trinity University Police Department Award Ceremony – March 2024
    • USAA Culture Shift Pacesetter Award – Enterprise Security Group/Business Continuity - April 2022
    • UTSA Police Department – Public Safety Commendation - November 2021
    • UTSA Order of the Roadrunner – President’s University Excellence Awards - April 2019 – April 2020
    • UTSA Chief’s Commendation Award – Police Department Annual Award Ceremony - Dec 2018 – Dec 2019
    • International Association of Emergency Managers – Graduate Scholarship - August 2017 – May 2018
    • UTSA Staff Council Scholarship - August 2016 – May 2017
    • IAEM Public Preparedness & Awareness Campaign – UTSA Awarded 1st Place - August 2015
    • 2-1-1 Texas Information Network – Certificate of Appreciation for Community Support - June 2010
    • Miami-Dade County, Department of Emergency Management – Community Service - June 2009
    • Miami-Dade County Health Department – Public Health Preparedness Commendation - June 2009
    • U.S. Housing & Urban Development – Management Fellowship - August 2004 – May 2006