panel of subject-matter experts

Chief Matthew Davis has over 26 years of experience in law enforcement and has served as the Chief of Police for the City of Council Bluffs, Iowa since November of 2023.  Chief Davis began his law enforcement career with the Illinois State Police (ISP) in 1998 as a Trooper patrolling the Chicagoland-area expressways. He served in a variety of capacities with the ISP and in February of 2019, he was appointed to serve as the First Deputy Director (FDD), the highest ranking sworn officer accountable for the entire agency’s operations. He served in this capacity until his retirement from the ISP in November of 2023.

Since coming to the Council Bluffs Police Department (CBPD), Chief Davis has worked to develop strong relationships within the department and community. Over the past year, the CBPD helped established the Pottawattamie County Threat Assessment Team and the “Speak Up” confidential reporting tool. He also led the establishment of the CBPD’s Homeless Outreach Program (HOP) where officers work in tandem with a Community Health Coach to ensure the delivery of services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Chief Davis has also led efforts to improve recruiting efforts for sworn officers at the CBPD. This resulted in the CBPD attracting more applicants than it has in the last decade and the largest single group of officers hired since the early 1980’s.

Chief Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and history from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in biological anthropology from Northern Illinois University, and a juris doctorate from the Saint Louis University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Illinois. Chief Davis is a graduate of the Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command, Class #496 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute, Session #46.

Mary oversees day-to-day operations, including facility operations, and strategy of our three program areas: Child & Family Well-Being, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing, Safety, & Financial Stability. She provides particular focus in identifying community service gaps for the clients we serve and advocates for funding to address these issues imperative to our clients. 

Dave has worked in the MH field for over 38 years beginning his professional journey in 1987 in Topeka, Kansas.   He graduated with an MSW from the University of Kansas in 1990.  He spent the next 12 years involved in both clinical and administrative work in the Topeka area while marveling at the growth and uniqueness of his three children.

In 2002, Dave and family moved back to the Omaha/Co. Bluffs area where he is from originally.  He  worked at Heartland Family Service and Community Alliance prior to the VA.   He has served as the VA-Nebraska-Western Iowa Suicide Prevention Coordinator since 2007.   

Gail Williams is the clinical director of At Ease USA a local non-profit dedicated to serving military members, veterans, frontline healthcare workers and their families with quality mental health and wellness services. At Ease USA serves those who have been impacted by trauma, post-traumatic stress, suicide, and moral injury. Many people believe that if they have not actively been in combat, that they do not or cannot develop PTS. This is far from true; there are many experiences and events that can cause PTS. Additionally, loved ones can develop what we call “vicarious trauma or secondary trauma” through learning of another’s’ traumatic experience. This is why At Ease USA serves the entire family. At Ease USA adopts the old adage of “no man left behind”.

Since 2014, Gail has been the owner and CEO of Williams Counseling & Consulting (WCC). WCC is a private therapy practice and  consulting agency.  Gail has written curriculum on a variety mental and emotional health conditions which have been trained in non-profit agencies in the metro area over the last ten years. Gail has also recently developed a high level suicidal/homicidal ideation training for customer service representatives which is being used in local crisis call centers (specifically those working with the veteran population).

Gail is the wife, daughter, and sister of  retired Air Force veterans. She has lived in many states as well as in Germany and Japan. Both of her sons are currently serving in the United States Air Force.