Alumni Awards

Brian Murray, MPA, serves as Deputy Coordinator for Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Public Information Officer for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM). Throughout his career, Murray has focused on strengthening how government communicates with the public before, during, and after disasters, with an emphasis on developing innovative processes, technology, and partnerships that improve emergency communications.

Murray helped establish the first physical Regional Joint Information Center at Houston TranStar, creating a centralized model for coordinating public information during regional emergencies. His leadership in developing HCOHSEM’s “JIC Strike Teams” earned the organization an Outstanding Emergency Public Information Award from the Emergency Management Association of Texas in 2015.

At the national level, Murray helped lead a workgroup of the Federal Communications Commission’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC IV), contributing to the development and implementation of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) 2.0 in 2016–2017. He later served on CSRIC IX and CSRIC X, advising the Commission on the security, reliability, and evolution of the nation’s communications infrastructure.

His work has increasingly focused on emerging challenges to public safety communications, including artificial intelligence, ransomware, and threats from hostile nation-states. Through his leadership at the local and federal levels, Murray continues to advance resilient, coordinated, and effective emergency communications that help communities stay informed when it matters most.

Harry B. “Pierre” Simon Jr., MBA, serves as Chief Executive Officer of Glaucoma Associates of Texas, an organization dedicated to advancing patient care and innovation in ophthalmology. With more than 19 years of experience in eye care, Pierre has partnered with industry leaders and healthcare professionals in sales, training, and marketing to bring innovative surgical technologies and pharmaceutical brands to patients worldwide.

As a healthcare executive, Pierre has led global brands from research and development through commercial launch. His career spans ophthalmology, optometry, otolaryngology, pediatrics, oncology, and asthma and immunology. He is also the founder of MPS Consulting, a board member of Ophthalmic World Leaders, a TEDx speaker, executive coach, and two-time bestselling author.

A passionate advocate for leadership, mentorship, and community service, Pierre previously chaired African Ancestry Cultivating Excellence (AACE), an employee resource group focused on professional development, engagement, and meaningful diversity efforts. He serves on the advisory board of North Dallas ISD, mentoring students on college transition, financial literacy, and navigating the corporate world. He also serves as president of S.R. Outreach, a Dallas-based nonprofit supporting victims of domestic violence.

Pierre is passionate about helping people around the world preserve the power of vision, which he describes as “seeing the beauty that exists within the world.” He holds bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Finance from the University of Houston and an MBA in Business Development and Sales Leadership.

Courtney Waller ’22 is a law enforcement professional, educator, and nationally published author with 18 years of experience dedicated to public safety, service, and community engagement. A proud University of Houston-Downtown alumnus, Courtney earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice from UHD in 2022, followed by a Master of Science in Criminal Justice: Public Safety from Liberty University.

Courtney currently serves in law enforcement while extending his impact through higher education, professional writing, and mentorship. As an adjunct criminal justice instructor, he brings firsthand experience from the field into the classroom, helping prepare the next generation of criminal justice professionals. He is also a contributor to Police1 and a nationally published author whose work explores resilience, leadership, and the personal and professional challenges faced by those serving in public safety.

His commitment to service and the community has been recognized through the Star of Texas Award, an honor that holds particular significance in his professional journey and reflects his dedication to those he serves.

Courtney is currently pursuing his Doctor of Criminal Justice at Liberty University, continuing a lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and professional growth. His academic journey reflects his belief that learning and service go hand in hand and that experienced professionals have a responsibility to share their knowledge with those who will carry the profession forward.

At the heart of Courtney’s work are four guiding values: faith, family, service, and impact. He is passionate about using his experiences to encourage others, strengthen the criminal justice profession, and help future professionals navigate the demands of public safety with resilience and purpose. Looking ahead, he hopes to expand that impact nationally through teaching, writing, mentorship, and meaningful conversations about leadership, resilience, education, and the future of criminal justice.

Stacey Fike is a proud University of Houston-Downtown alumna, award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and community advocate. As a later-in-life college student, single mother, and sole provider for her household, Stacey chose UHD for its accessibility, affordability, and academic quality. She earned her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in education and began teaching immediately after graduation. During her first year with Houston ISD, she was named Teacher of the Year at her campus, an achievement she credits in part to the education, encouragement, and support she received at UHD.

 

Although her degree focused on education, Stacey frequently sought guidance from faculty in UHD’s Marilyn Davies College of Business. Professors welcomed her questions and encouraged her entrepreneurial ideas, helping lay the foundation for the next chapter of her career.

 

Today, Stacey is the founder of GloGirl, one of Houston’s top-rated sunless tanning boutiques. What began as a side business has grown into a thriving, multi-six-figure enterprise with a talented team and more than 60,000 clients served. Through GloGirl, Stacey helps women feel confident in their own skin while remaining deeply committed to the Houston community.

 

GloGirl regularly supports local schools, fundraising initiatives, and organizations including BEAR…BE A Resource for CPS Kids, the Astros Foundation, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Stacey is also a member of Houston Business Women and continually seeks opportunities to use her business and platform to give back.

 

Building on her entrepreneurial success, Stacey created GloPro™, a sunless tanning certification and business-development platform designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the technical skills, business knowledge, and confidence to build sustainable careers.

For Stacey, GloGirl represents more than beauty. It reflects her belief in helping women and entrepreneurs recognize their potential and move forward with confidence. She is honored to represent the university that helped transform her own life.